Chief Sports Writer Scott Wilson picks out his highs and lows from the Premier League season


PLAYER OF THE YEAR

JORDAN HENDERSON

There have been plenty of stand-out performances in the Premier League this season. Kevin de Bruyne has been at his mesmeric best with Manchester City, Virgil van Dijk has marshalled the Liverpool defence superbly for a second year in a row and both Mo Salah and Sadio Mane have had moments where they have been all-but-unplayable.

However, as I argued in a previous column, when it comes to acting as the glue that has held the title-winning Liverpool team together, I don’t think you can look past Jordan Henderson for the Player of the Year award. On and off the pitch, the Wearsider has been a truly inspirational leader.


YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR

TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD

Sticking with Liverpool, if Henderson has been the stand-out senior pro, then Trent Alexander-Arnold has been every bit as impressive as he has towered above his young contemporaries.

The 21-year-old full-back has been brilliant all season, marauding up and down the right-hand side, passing and crossing superbly, and firing in the occasional blockbuster free-kick. At the start of the season, Alexander-Arnold was probably third on the list of English right-backs. Now, he is a cast-iron starter in Gareth Southgate’s national team.


MANAGER OF THE YEAR

CHRIS WILDER

It would be easy to keep the Liverpool theme going by plumping for Jurgen Klopp, and in truth, the German has a pretty strong case. Not only has he finally ended Liverpool’s 30-year wait for another title – he has achieved the feat with a smile on his face and with his team playing in a swashbuckling style.

However, he almost won the title last season, so it can be argued he did not have that far to climb. Chris Wilder spent last season steering Sheffield United out of the Championship, and amid a backdrop of limited investment, the Blades were expected to head straight back to the second tier. Instead, they have challenged for a place in Europe, with Wilder’s innovative tactical approach a pivotal part of their success.


SIGNING OF THE YEAR

BRUNO FERNANDES

For most of the first half of the season, Manchester United were a mess. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side slumped to as low as 14th at one stage, with the speculation over the Norwegian’s managerial future reaching fever pitch.

Then, in January, they splashed out €80m to sign Bruno Fernandes from Sporting Lisbon. The fee was hardly cheap, but it already looks like they netted a bargain. Not only has Fernandes performed superbly himself – scoring seven goals and claiming seven assists in his 12 league games – he has also reinvigorated those around him, most notably Paul Pogba. As a result, Manchester United now have every chance of making it back into the Champions League.


FLOP OF THE YEAR

MEZUT OZIL

As ever, there are quite a few candidates in this category. David de Gea’s regression from his position as one of the best goalkeepers in the world has been remarkable, while Joelinton, Wesley and Sebastian Haller were all big-money summer purchases that failed to fire at their respective new clubs.

However, when it comes to consistently under-performing, no one can match Mezut Ozil, Arsenal’s £350,000-a-week bench warmer. The German has started just 18 Premier League games this season, and while injuries have been a factor, Mikel Arteta clearly does not feel he can trust the midfielder. Given his exorbitant salary, however, selling him this summer could prove easier said than done.


CONTROVERSY OF THE YEAR

VAR

Ah, VAR. The invention that was supposed to end the debate about bad refereeing, but which has instead created a whole new topic to be endlessly chewed over.

The chief failing this season has been the bizarre reluctance to allow referees to consult a pitch-side monitor. Instead, the power has resided with the officials watching a monitor at Stockley Park, and all too often, the VARS have appeared reluctant to overturn the initial decision of the referee on the field.

Ironically, however, the worst decision of the season wasn’t a VAR call – instead it was the result of the malfunctioning goalline technology that saw Sheffield United denied a perfectly-good goal against Aston Villa.


GOAL OF THE SEASON

SON HEUNG-MIN vs BURNLEY

Kevin de Bruyne’s wonder goal against Newcastle will live long in the memory, while Alireza Jahanbakhsh’s bicycle kick for Brighton against Chelsea was quite some strike.

Son Heung-Min gets the nod though for his 80-yard dribble against Burnley at the start of December. Picking up the ball deep in his own half, Son danced his way past three defenders before slotting an ice-cool finish past Nick Pope.


GAME OF THE SEASON

NORWICH 3 MAN CITY 2

There haven’t been too many high points for Norwich, but back in September, the Canaries beat the reigning champions to provide the first signs of the frailties that would ultimately prevent Pep Guardiola’s side from keeping up with Liverpool.

It was a Premier League classic with Norwich exploiting the absence of Aymeric Laporte to open a two-goal lead through Kenny McLean and Todd Cantwell. Sergio Aguero pulled a goal back, but Teemu Pukki added a third Norwich goal after some calamitous defending from Nicolas Otamendi, before Rodri’s late strike ensured a nerve-jangling finale.