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This Premier League season has been different with a World Cup sandwiched in the middle, but no less enthralling because of it.
Who would have thought the three promoted teams Bournemouth, Fulham and Nottingham Forest would all stay up – not me.
Or that Newcastle would finish above Liverpool, Brighton above Tottenham and Brentford above Chelsea.
We’ve had some spectacular moments, crashing disappointments and a Manchester City team for the ages spearheaded by a record-breaking striker.
This is what I consider some of the highlights, and lowlights, in my personal Premier League awards.
Erling Haaland has scored 36 league goals since joining Manchester City last summer
Best player – Erling Haaland
What he’s done is beyond anyone’s expectations. To score more than a goal a game is ridiculous and it’s scary to think he’s only 22 and going to get better.
Besides his obvious qualities, I’m particularly impressed by his in-game discipline.
He always stays high and narrow rather than being tempted to wander if he’s not seeing the ball.
It’s a real sign of maturity for a young player.
He’s also relentless in making runs in behind defenders. Some strikers only do that for certain periods within a match – Haaland is fit enough to keep going for 90 minutes.
Best manager – Eddie Howe
I plumped for Gary O’Neil on the radio because he’s also been exceptional but on reflection I’m going for Eddie Howe because qualifying for the Champions League is a heftier achievement.
Howe has been able to turn Newcastle into a high-energy, high-tempo team that plays on the front foot, but without sacrificing defensive solidity. That takes a great amount of work on the training pitch and nobody has conceded fewer goals.
Yes, Howe has had new signings to work with but look at the players who were already at the club and have improved under his guidance; Willock, Joelinton, Longstaff, Almiron, Wilson and others.
Eddie Howe has taken a relegation-threatened side to the Champions League in just 18 months
Best goal – Matheus Nunes
I would love to have scored his screamer for Wolves against Chelsea. It practically took the net off.
As a footballer, there is no better feeling than catching a volley just right, the ball explodes off your foot. I love team goals too but when you see a strike like Nunes’s, it brings you off your feet.
Matheus Nunes (pictured, right) scored a ferocious volley as Wolves beat Chelsea 1-0 in April
Best match – Newcastle 3 – City 3
Having two really good teams both going at it in August set the template for the season, with a lot of sides trying to play positively.
The way Newcastle went for it as underdogs set the tone for other clubs like Bournemouth that attack can be the best form of defence.
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They were so dynamic in taking a 3-1 lead and it was the sign of champions that City were able to fight back for a draw despite the intensity at St James’ Park.
Newcastle and Man City played out a brilliant 3-3 draw that set the tone for this season
Funniest moment – pranked live on TV
While this is meant to be Premier League-based, I must make an exception in this category.
My FA Cup analysis at Molineux live on the BBC was rudely and repeatedly interrupted by some the rather strange noises from within the studio, sounds from a pornographic film that had been planted by a prankster.
It took more strength for me not to burst out laughing than I needed in any match I played! I kept thinking of serious things so I could carry on talking as normal. Maybe I should have just joined in with the joke!
Big disappointment – Leicester City
I’ve been so impressed with them over the years, winning trophies and consecutive fifth-placed finishes, I am gobsmacked they could be relegated on Sunday.
Everybody has to take some blame; the owners for not investing, Brendan Rodgers for not addressing problems sooner and the players for not performing. They have to look in the mirror and ask if they have given everything.
I have been to the King Power three times this season and even their supporters become despondent very quickly because of the raised expectations.
Leicester have looked a shadow of their former selves this season and could well be relegated
Worst mistake – Leeds delay Big Sam
Once Leeds took the decision to sack Jesse Marsch, they could have brought in Sam Allardyce and given him time to turn things around.
Instead they appointed Javi Gracia who looked out of his depth and when he didn’t last, Big Sam has had only for matches to save them.
If they’d had Allardyce earlier, they wouldn’t be going down.
Leeds brought in Sam Allardyce to save their season but waited too long to make the decision
One wish for 23-24
I would like to see players allowed to take quick free-kicks to themselves. It would speed the game up and give the attacking team an advantage rather than give the side who conceded the foul time to re-group.
Biggest bugbear
AS VAR isn’t going away, let me choose something else.
I am seeing more and more players falsely acting up to get their opponent in trouble and for me that’s despicable.
I rightly called out Harry Kane for rolling about at Everton but he’s not the only one.
I think a panel of five former pros should review incidents on video and if there is a unanimous verdict that someone has cheated, give them a ban.
Harry Kane came under fire for going down easily after an incident with Abdoulaye Doucoure
