Five Unforgettable Premier League Moments of 2019

The managerial merry-go-round did not disappoint. Mauricio Pochettino’s dismissal from Tottenham saw Jose Mourinho return to London. Fierce rivals Arsenal also sacked their manager Unai Emery in favor of former Gunner Mikel Arteta.

The likes of Watford, West Ham, and Everton grabbed the headlines by appointing Nigel Pearson, David Moyes, and Carlo Ancelotti respectively.

As we enter a new decade, here are five of the best Premier League moments from 2019.

1. City Pip Liverpool by a Point

Manchester City and Liverpool fought an enthralling race for the title in 2018/2019. The Cityzens came off a 100 point season–the Premier League’s first-ever Centurions–while Liverpool were in pursuit of glory after losing the Champions League Final to Real Madrid in 2018. In what was one of the games of the season, City defeated Liverpool 2-1 at the Etihad. Liverpool kept pressuring the champions, and it took a wonder strike from Vincent Kompany against Leicester City in May for Manchester City to seal the title. 

It looks like Liverpool got the last laugh, however, as the Reds went on to win their first Champions League since 2005, and seem destined to win the Premier League this time around.

2. VAR vs Everybody

Frank Lampard’s disallowed goal against Germany in the 2010 World Cup started the goal-line technology revolution. Eight years later, Video Assistant Referees were introduced in the World Cup to help refs make the right call. It hasn’t been smooth sailing for VAR in the Premier League, however. The long stoppages of play, controversial offside calls, and refs’ failure to consult the on-field monitor make the process intolerable. Things should get better over time, but as long as the likes of Firmino, Pukki, and Jonny are ruled offside by their armpits, the VAR debates will never end… 

3. Player Turned Manager

2019 saw Ole Gunnar Solksjaer managing Manchester United, Frank Lampard in charge of Chelsea, Mikel Arteta at the helm in Arsenal, and Duncan Ferguson temporarily taking over as the interim manager of Everton. These appointments seemed out of the ordinary for the Premier League and more fitting for Football Manager. To be fair, Lampard has done well with a youthful Chelsea side. Solksjaer has faced his fair share of criticism, but his United side have established a counter-attacking identity that’s helped them defeat the big teams.

Mikel Arteta looks to find his feet with a disappointing Arsenal side, while Duncan Ferguson lit up the Goodison Park with his fiery character, picking up five points in three games against Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal. He is now part of Carlo Ancelotti’s coaching staff.

4. Sheffield’s Surprise

Sheffield United returned to the Premier League after finishing 2nd in the Championship in 2018/19. The Blades controversially tasted relegation in 2007 thanks to Carlos Tevez and West Ham but made a return to the big leagues stunningly. Sheffield beat Arsenal at home, held Manchester United, Chelsea, and Tottenham to a draw, and narrowly lost to Manchester City and Liverpool. With 29 points already in the bag this season, Sheffield look a long way off from relegation, sitting comfortably in 8th place.

5. Wolves and Leicester Disturb the Top Six

Both Wolves and Leicester are more than comfortable in unsettling the top six of the Premier League. Nobody expected Leicester to be in second place heading into the New Year. Regardless, the Foxes–led by the ever-present Jamie Vardy–are the closest to Liverpool in the league standings. Wolves, on the other hand, are following the blueprint they set for themselves last season. Not only are Nuno Espirito Santo’s side through to the knockout rounds of the Europa League, but they’ve also done the double on Manchester City thanks to the unstoppable efforts of Adama Traore. The Premier League may be unpredictable, but Wolves and Leicester are expected to rattle the top six from now on… 

Those are the best Premier League moments of 2019. The league is a treat to watch. Despite the VAR drama, the competitiveness shown by teams like Sheffield, Wolves, and Leicester City will keep the big sides on their toes, and make for more entertainment in 2020.

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