The 2013-14
season was an incredible saga full of twists and turns. By the end of a
whirlwind campaign, Manchester City did what seemed to be the
unthinkable by pipping Liverpool to the title.
The
Reds looked set to end their 24-year wait for a league crown after
winning 11 straight matches between February and April but they came
unstuck thanks largely to one timely slip and a major collapse in front
of a raucous crowd.
Life
without Sir Alex Ferguson was no picnic for Manchester United, Tottenham
failed to reinvest their Gareth Bale windfall properly and sacked yet
another manager, and barely any new signings made much of an impact.
It's
been tricky trying to pick the standout candidates from such strong
competition, but read on to see who ranks as Goal's best and worst...
| Player of the Season - Luis Suarez |
This
one is easy. Luis Suarez has won both the PFA and FWA awards and he has
been easily the best player in the country this season. He began the
campaign suspended for biting an opponent and out in the cold after
trying to force a summer move. He ended it with 31 goals in 32 league
appearances, matching the scoring record over a 38-game Premier League
season. It’s all the more impressive for the fact the Uruguayan does not
even take his side’s penalties. To see Suarez on the ball is
electrifying - he is a magical player, a genuine match-winner and
totally unpredictable. Suarez never scores the same goal twice and he is
the reason Liverpool were able to mount a title challenge in the first
place.
| Manager of the Season - Tony Pulis |
Look at the Crystal Palace squad. Just look at it. Tony Pulis took
over amid genuine concerns Palace could end the season with the lowest
ever Premier League points total. They had just four points from 11
matches on the day of his appointment and looked doomed to relegation
with a squad made up of loanees, free transfers and no-hopers. To finish
comfortably in mid-table in 11th place is a minor miracle, and he has
done it not only by organising the defence, but by playing with
brilliant attacking vibrancy. There’s been none of the old Stoke
long-ball tactics - Palace have been a superb counter-attacking side
that have played with speed and guile.
| Goal of the Season - Patjim Kasami |
Perhaps it is made even better by being so incongruous in Fulham’s
dreadful season, but Patjim Kasami’s volley against Crystal Palace in
October was something special. On the run, Kasami controlled a long ball
with his chest and slammed an out-of-this-world volley over the
goalkeeper into the top corner. Shades of Marco van Basten.
| Match of the Season - Liverpool 3-2 Man City |
The
entertainment granted to Liverpool supporters is highlighted by the
fact my top three matches all involve them, but I’m going for the Reds'
victory over Manchester City at Anfield as the best game of the season.
The atmosphere, the occasion and the sheer quality on show all made it a
very special afternoon. Liverpool roared ahead, City came back
brilliantly, then the hosts scored a late winner through Coutinho. As
Steven Gerrard rallied his players in front of the dancing Kop, it
really felt like Liverpool’s year.
| Moment of the Season - Gerrard's slip |
Sorry, Liverpool supporters. I’m not saying I enjoyed it, but Steven
Gerrard’s slip to let in Demba Ba against Chelsea is the defining
moment of the season. That was the point, ultimately, when a first title
in 24 years escaped from Liverpool’s grasp and was handed to Manchester
City. Cruel on such an outstanding player but pivotal and dramatic.
| Signing of the Season - Wilfried Bony |
There is no obvious candidate for signing of the season but I think
Wilfried Bony’s goals played a huge role in keeping Swansea safe this
season. It has been a sometimes difficult campaign for the Swans but
Bony has looked perfectly suited to the Premier League with his power
and finishing ability. He is not the most refined striker in the country
but it’s hard to argue with a record of 16 goals from 33 league
appearances - and he will only improve next term.
| Worst signing of the Season - Erik Lamela |
It was a toss up for the worst signing of the season been Erik
Lamela and Roberto Soldado - but £30m Lamela edges it for virtually
falling off the earth during the second half of the season following
just nine league appearances for Spurs.
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