Which side were remarkable? Who were a shambles? Phil McNulty's season review

The Premier League season concluded with Arsenal claiming the championship for the first time in 22 years, while their rivals Tottenham managed to stave off relegation on the season's final day.

This campaign was filled with unexpected twists, exemplified by Liverpool's faltering title defense despite their £450 million investment last summer, and Sunderland's remarkable achievement of qualifying for European competition after their promotion.

Throughout the league, narratives unfolded as Pep Guardiola said farewell to Manchester City after a decade of unprecedented success.

The following is my end-of-season review, revisiting my predictions made in August.

Champions: Arsenal

Prediction: 2nd

Arsenal emerged as worthy champions, securing their first title since the 2003-04 season.

This season presented a significant challenge for manager Mikel Arteta and his squad, as there was no room left for near misses. It was imperative that success materialized this season.

Concerns about aesthetics or style were overshadowed by the fact that the best teams ultimately triumph in the Premier League. Arteta discovered the winning strategy just in time, with the Champions League final against Paris St-Germain scheduled for Saturday.

The club's triumph was anchored in a formidable defense, with goalkeeper David Raya excelling behind central defenders Gabriel and William Saliba. Declan Rice rightly earned my designation as player of the year.

With this title secured, Arsenal possesses a foundation for sustained success.

What I said in August: "This is a team with enough to mount a meaningful title pursuit and challenge for the biggest prizes."

2nd: Man City

Prediction: 3rd

Pep Guardiola’s final season at the helm of Manchester City concluded with triumphs in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, yet they were ultimately outperformed by Arsenal in the Premier League title race.

While they may represent the finest footballing outfit in the country, the record books will only recount Arsenal’s championship victory, and justly so.

City experienced too many matches where they failed to secure victories, leading to costly draws.

Nevertheless, Guardiola departs having rebuilt a team poised for a bright future. While he may not be at the forefront of the upcoming title challenge, City certainly will be.

What I said in August: "I fully expect City to win a trophy and challenge for the title - but do not think they will reclaim their old crown."

3rd: Man Utd

Prediction: 7th

A commendable accomplishment for Manchester United, particularly under Michael Carrick, who expertly navigated the challenges left in the wake of Ruben Amorim's tumultuous tenure, restoring the club to the Champions League.

Bruno Fernandes served as the driving force for the team, proving indispensable, while new signings Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo significantly enhanced their attacking options.

The acquisition of Belgian keeper Senne Lammens emerged as a brilliant move, and the development of Kobbie Mainoo reflects positively on Carrick's management.

What I said in August: "They surely cannot be as bad again, can they?"

4th: Aston Villa

Prediction: 5th

Unai Emery's remarkable impact at Aston Villa deserves a noteworthy mention. The club celebrated a return to the Champions League and claimed its first trophy since 1996, courtesy of Emery’s fifth Europa League title.

Emery's perfectionist nature has molded Villa into a finely-tuned team, marked by hard work, organization, and talent.

Morgan Rogers has emerged as a standout player, yet the key factor remains Emery and the cohesive unit he has intricately crafted. He is well on his way to earning a legendary status at the club.

What I said in August: "I fully expect them to be at the sharp end of the Premier League once more under the outstanding guidance of Emery."

5th: Liverpool

Prediction: champions

Where does one begin? This season proved to be a stark contrast to the previous one, where Liverpool, under Arne Slot's leadership, had eased to a title victory.

An underpinning tragedy was the loss of beloved forward Diogo Jota in July; a tragedy that resonated deeply within the club, yet its full impact is known only to those within Anfield.

The unexpected nature of the season concluded with a growing discontent among Liverpool fans towards Slot, especially after the club invested £450 million last summer, seemingly making the team weaker. Moreover, Mohamed Salah's performance declined dramatically, culminating in public disputes with Slot.

Regarding Slot's future with the club, many fans hope for change, though current owner FSG stands firm in their support.

An unequivocally disappointing season ensued.

What I said in August: "It's hard to see past Liverpool as this season's Premier League champions. This is a prediction made with complete confidence."

6th: Bournemouth

Prediction: 15th

Andoni Iraola's Bournemouth achieved an extraordinary feat by qualifying for Europe for the first time in their 127-year history.

This achievement is notably impressive given their loss of three first-choice defenders the previous summer, coupled with forward Antoine Semenyo’s mid-season transfer to Manchester City.

Regardless, this exhilarating team maintained momentum, going 18 league matches unbeaten, showcasing players like Alex Scott and promising teenager Junior Kroupi. They even contended for a Champions League spot until the season's conclusion.

An inquiry remains: why would Iraola consider leaving this project behind?

What I said in August: "It would be another sign of Iraola's quality if he can once more direct them into the Premier League's top half."

7th: Sunderland

Prediction: 19th

A moment of humility is in order regarding Sunderland's superb achievement of qualifying for Europe after being labeled relegation candidates.

Sunderland exceeded expectations spectacularly during their return to the Premier League under the calm and astute leadership of Regis le Bris, who deserves a spot in any manager-of-the-season discussions.

The club's ambitious transfer strategy last summer, designed to ensure Premier League survival, bore fruit.

Credit is due to all parties involved. European football awaits.

What I said in August: "Integrating so many new signings may actually prove a problem."

8th: Brighton

Prediction: 11th

Fabian Hurzeler faced a challenging mid-season at Brighton when fan discontent became apparent at the Amex Stadium, yet the determined young German coach managed to turn the ship around, guiding Brighton into Europe and securing a new contract through to 2029.

After navigating a period of uncertainty, this well-structured club now looks to build on a successful campaign, both domestically and in Europe.

What I said in August: "Brighton are always pleasing on the eye and will not take a backwards step under Hurzeler. Another decent season awaits."

9th: Brentford

Prediction: 16th

Once again, a nod to flexibility is warranted here, as Brentford's absence from European competition is disappointing yet they can take pride in their journey this season.

The appointment of Keith Andrews to succeed popular manager Thomas Frank initially appeared risky, yet he executed a seamless transition after losing key attackers Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa to Manchester United and Newcastle United.

Igor Thiago emerged as one of the standout players in the Premier League this season. Jordan Henderson contributed valuable experience in midfield, while Caoimhin Kelleher demonstrated his ability as a quality goalkeeper.

What I said in August: "For the first time in a long time, I genuinely fear for Brentford."

10th: Chelsea

Prediction: 4th

Chelsea's disappointing season culminated in a final setback as they lost to Sunderland on the season's last day, resulting in no European football under new manager Xabi Alonso for the upcoming season.

They commenced the season as Club World Cup champions with Enzo Maresca as the manager before he was dismissed in January due to a deteriorating relationship with the club's hierarchy.

Liam Rosenior's tenure lasted merely three months due to discontent, culminating in Calum McFarlane steering the team to the FA Cup final, which they lost to Manchester City.

Overall, it has been an unsatisfactory season for a club that appears adrift.

What I said in August: "They usually find a way to win silverware, and I expect them to so again, but not the Premier League."

11th: Fulham

Prediction: 14th

Fulham finds itself in a position of equilibrium within the Premier League. Under the capable guidance of Marco Silva, they are neither significantly improved nor relegation-threatened, but rather securely mid-table.

Silva’s leadership has been pivotal, although uncertainty looms regarding his future as his contract nears its end, mirroring concerns for contributor Harry Wilson.

What I said in August: "This will be another season of stability for Fulham under the tactically astute Silva. Mid-table perhaps."

12th: Newcastle United

Prediction: 6th

Newcastle experienced a tumultuous season, exacerbated by the late transfer of Alexander Isak to Liverpool.

Eddie Howe remains the right choice to steer the club in a transitional summer, with speculation mounting surrounding the departures of Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali.

What ensued was a frustrating campaign following their recent glory of winning the Carabao Cup, marking their first domestic trophy in 70 years.

What I said in August: "Why such an optimistic prediction? Newcastle have a fine side when everyone is fit."

13th: Everton

Prediction: 12th

The story of Everton this season has been a puzzling one. Despite being in contention for European qualification in the closing weeks, a late-season collapse led to significant discontent among fans towards manager David Moyes and the players.

Jack Grealish contributed to their efforts before a season-ending injury. Yet the reliance on Iliman Ndiaye and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall proved unsustainable.

Ultimately, it was an average season, with no relegation fears, though home performances at their new Hill Dickinson Stadium were subpar.

An intriguing aspect remains the unexplained absence of 20-year-old Tyler Dibling, following his £40 million move from Southampton last summer.

Owner Friedkin Group’s strategy this summer will be interesting to observe.

What I said in August: "Manager David Moyes is hoping to build on the revival he inspired in the second half of last term."

14th: Leeds United

Prediction: 17th

Leeds appeared destined for struggle early in the season, but manager Daniel Farke succeeded in turning the tides, deserving credit for his tactical engagements.

The free transfer acquisition of Dominic Calvert-Lewin from Everton proved astute, and the atmosphere at Elland Road undoubtedly played a role in their resurgence.

However, a lackluster performance in the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea at Wembley left much to be desired.

Their primary objective was to secure Premier League survival, and they achieved this comfortably.

What I said in August: "Someone has got to buck the growing trend of 'three up, three straight back down' from the Championship's promoted sides, so I am going to say Leeds will break that glass ceiling."

15th: Crystal Palace

Prediction: 9th

Crystal Palace's season has been characterized by unpredictability, under the leadership of manager Oliver Glasner. Following the sale of pivotal players, there was both turmoil and prospects of triumph.

A mid-season dip in form culminated in a shocking FA Cup exit to non-league Macclesfield, and the departure of Marc Guehi to Manchester City added to their challenges. Glasner's decision to leave at the season's end compounded the uncertainty.

Nevertheless, Palace maintained a dignified demeanor across all areas of the pitch and now have a commendable opportunity to secure another major trophy in the upcoming Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano.

A successful conclusion would be the ideal scenario.

What I said in August: "Palace's fortunes, and consequently their league placing, will inevitably be shaped by the fortunes of two of their most influential figures, Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi."

16th: Nottingham Forest

Prediction: 10th

It is disconcerting that Nottingham Forest found themselves embroiled in relegation struggles late in the season, given their roster is filled with high-caliber players such as Elliot Anderson and Morgan Gibbs-White.

This predicament stemmed from the instability caused by four managerial changes throughout the season.

The appointment of Ange Postecoglou marked a shift in style, which ultimately did not yield results, leading to his dismissal after just 39 days. Sean Dyche’s pragmatic approach proved ineffective, lasting only 114 days.

Vitor Pereira brought a semblance of stability to the squad, which now requires addressing the ongoing speculation surrounding Anderson’s future.

What I said in August: "No-one can question the ambition of owner Evangelos Marinakis."

17th: Tottenham

Prediction: 8th

Tottenham's season can be described as chaotic, both on and off the pitch, culminating in a tense celebration of survival on the final day against Everton.

The managerial role proved to be overwhelming for Thomas Frank, who encountered a stark contrast in expectations and organizational difficulties compared to his previous role at Brentford.

The unanticipated appointment of Igor Tudor raised serious questions regarding the club's executive leadership, as he managed to win only two of his first seven games prior to departing after just 44 days, paving the way for Roberto de Zerbi's arrival.

Spurs narrowly escaped relegation, but their survival was more a stroke of fortune than sound management.

What I said in August: "It could not get worse than last season - or Spurs would find themselves in the Championship."

18th: West Ham - relegated

Prediction: 13th

For the passionate supporters of West Ham, witnessing their season culminate in relegation has been a disappointment. The unwelcoming atmosphere of the London Stadium, a stark contrast to the beloved Upton Park, will now witness Championship football.

Graham Potter was dismissed in September after an abbreviated stint, and while Nuno Espirito Santo gave a fleeting sense of hope for potential recovery, the team ultimately fell short of the necessary quality.

A swift return to the Premier League is not guaranteed, as the club will require a renewed approach.

What I said in August: "I'm not really expecting fireworks in east London this season."

19th: Burnley - relegated

Prediction: 20th

Burnley endured yet another challenging season in the Premier League, ultimately succumbing to relegation under the now-dismissed Scott Parker, long before the final drop was confirmed.

Despite the club's higher ambitions in the transfer market, highlighted by acquiring experienced players like Kyle Walker, the investment in Armando Broja became a misguided endeavor given his historical injury concerns.

What I said in August: "It is a bold transfer strategy, but will it be enough to keep Burnley up? I have my doubts."

20th: Wolves - relegated

Prediction: 18th

The season for Wolves has been characterized by distressing performances, effectively sealing their fate in the Premier League during the opening weeks.

Their downturn was initiated by the departures of key players Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait-Nouri, which was exacerbated by Vitor Pereira's sacking after ten winless matches.

While Rob Edwards hinted at potential improvements during his tenure, the overall experience was disappointing.

Emerging talent Mateus Mane shows promise, though his future remains uncertain.

What I said in August: "This prediction is made with a heavy heart, but there have been some damaging departures and not enough quality incomings."