Manchester City faced a setback, Aston Villa excelled, Arne integrates into Liverpool, and Cole Palmer stands out.

City Ascend Once More

Manchester City, under the astute guidance of Pep Guardiola, have once again etched their name into the annals of Premier League history, clinching yet another title in May. Their remarkable nine-match winning streak to conclude the season was enough to extinguish the hopes of Arsenal, who finished a mere two points adrift after a thrilling race that went down to the wire.

With the formidable Erling Haaland securing his second consecutive golden boot, Phil Foden finding his rhythm, and the Ballon d’Or-winning maestro Rodri orchestrating play from midfield, there was little doubt regarding the trophy’s destination. This triumph was particularly significant as it marked City’s fourth consecutive title, a feat unprecedented in the storied history of English football.

A Sudden Downfall

Historically, the strength of the English top flight has seen even the best teams falter at three consecutive titles. However, City’s dominance led many to quickly install them as favourites for a fifth title in the 2024-25 season. They began the new campaign in fine form, winning their first four matches before a dramatic draw with Arsenal, where Haaland urged Gunners boss Mikel Arteta to “stay humble.”

Yet, this confidence would soon backfire. A seemingly innocuous 2-1 defeat to Tottenham in the League Cup, fielding a second-string side, appeared to trigger a catastrophic downturn for Guardiola’s men. The once indomitable empire crumbled alarmingly, with City managing just one win in their next 13 matches across all competitions, suffering nine defeats in the process. A much-needed victory over Leicester at the year’s end provided a glimmer of hope, but the damage was done.

The alarming losses, including a 4-1 thrashing by Sporting CP, a 4-0 home defeat to Spurs, and a shocking collapse against Feyenoord where they surrendered a 3-0 lead, highlighted not just a dip in form but a loss of the aura that had surrounded both the club and its manager. Such a decline was unheard of for both Guardiola and modern Manchester City, prompting reminders to Haaland about his earlier comments.

Liverpool on the Rise

Meanwhile, Liverpool have been keen to capitalise on City’s misfortunes. The Reds started the season in formidable fashion, solidifying their title credentials with a convincing 2-0 victory over a struggling City at the beginning of December.

This resurgence might have been expected under Jurgen Klopp, but the German has since departed, having concluded his Anfield tenure at the end of last season. Despite not being able to guide Liverpool to a second title due to City’s relentless form, Klopp did manage to bow out with a Carabao Cup final victory against Chelsea, a fitting conclusion to his time at the club.

Arne Slot has taken the reins at Liverpool, and contrary to expectations of a settling-in period, the Dutchman has hit the ground running. With Klopp’s squad, he could potentially match his predecessor’s Premier League title record in his first season, and with an eight-point lead heading into the new year, it would take a brave person to bet against them.

United’s Struggles Continue

In a contrasting narrative, Manchester United have seen a managerial shake-up as Erik ten Hag was shown the door despite leading the club to an FA Cup triumph in May. After finishing eighth in the Premier League—their worst position since 1990—the writing was on the wall, and a poor start to the new season sealed Ten Hag’s fate.

Ruben Amorim has stepped in as his replacement, but the early signs are not promising, with a recent 2-0 defeat to Newcastle leaving United languishing in 14th place. The spectre of a relegation battle looms large, suggesting that the club’s issues run deeper than just the managerial position.

Palmer Shines Brightly

In terms of standout performances, even Haaland’s impressive tally in 2024 has been overshadowed by Cole Palmer, who has been making waves at Chelsea after his move from City. Despite a lacklustre 2023/24 season for the West Londoners, Palmer’s 22 goals—second only to Haaland—have been pivotal in lifting Chelsea to genuine title contention.

Winning the PFA Young Player of the Year award, Palmer has continued his fine form into the current season, including a stunning four-goal haul in a 4-2 victory over Brighton. With each passing week, City’s decision to let him go appears increasingly questionable, especially as he could have been a cornerstone of their rebuilding efforts.

Aston Villa’s European Ambitions

While the so-called ‘Big Six’ have often dominated the conversation around major honours, Aston Villa have made a compelling case for themselves in the Champions League. Under Unai Emery, they have not only secured their place in the competition but have also made a statement with a famous victory over Bayern Munich and a draw against Juventus, positioning themselves well for the knockout stages.

Hayes Bids Farewell in Style

In the women’s game, Emma Hayes has concluded her illustrious 12-year tenure at Chelsea by leading the Blues to their seventh WSL title, and fifth in a row. Despite a close contest with Manchester City, who missed out on glory by goal difference, Hayes leaves a legacy of success.

However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing, as Chelsea suffered a third consecutive League Cup final defeat, this time to Arsenal. Meanwhile, Manchester United’s women mirrored their male counterparts by lifting the FA Cup at Wembley, triumphing 4-0 over Tottenham in front of a raucous crowd.

A New Era for England

Finally, the England men’s team has bid farewell to Gareth Southgate, now Sir Gareth Southgate, after an eight-year tenure. Despite some criticism over his tactics, Southgate leaves with his head held high, having guided the Three Lions to a World Cup semi-final and two European Championship finals—only Sir Alf Ramsey boasts a better record.

Though Southgate departs without silverware, he leaves behind a legacy of belief in the national team’s potential for success. Thomas Tuchel is set to take over in early 2025, ushering in a new era for England as they look to build on Southgate’s foundation.