After 380 action-packed matches, the Premier League season came to its conclusion on 28th May, and in quite a resounding fashion. A season that kickoffed with Arsenal’s blistering win against Crystal Palace finally draws the curtain in a somewhat anticlimactic fashion, particularly for the Gunners.
Spanning over ten months, the 2022/23 edition of the Premier League wasn’t without its fair share of drama. Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhães spitting Brentford fans via social media, Antonio Conte and Thomas Tuchel’s touchline scuffle, Chelsea’s promo video ahead of their London derby clash against Arsenal featuring Aubameyang, Brighton’s thumping some of the big six, Newcastle’s phenomenal run to Champions League, Leicester city’s shock relegation in remarkable fashion and Haaland’s record-breaking campaign- the season had it all.
Above all, the Premier League season will be remembered for being interrupted by the inaugural Winter World Cup in Qatar.
How well did your team perform? FLOS takes a snapshot review into how every team fared in the 2022/23 season.
1. Manchester City: A+
Simply breathtaking. A scintillating display from the Citizens. After a dodgy start to the season, Pep Guardiola reconfigured his team, employing the infamous inverted fullback positions and Man City never looked back.
Winning 11 games on the bounce (between February and May), Manchester City overtook Arsenal at the top of the table with seven games to spare and seal their fifth title in six seasons.
Some were skeptical about new signing Erling Haaland’s adaptation to the Premier League, placing the infamous ‘Bundesliga tax’ on his phenomenal goal-scoring record at Borussia Dortmund upon his arrival to Manchester. Boy did he prove them wrong, terrorising Premier League defence every week as he went on to overtake Alan Shearer and Andy Cole’s goalscoring record during his blistering debut campaign as Man City ticked off part one of a potential treble with three games to go.
Pep Guardiola created an imperious team that has taken England and possibly Europe by storm. A team with the potential to be one of the greatest sides he has ever managed.
2. Arsenal: B –
The Gunners replicated their impressive and much talked about pre-season form, stunning the football world by mounting an unexpected title challenge and amassing a remarkable 50 points from their opening 19 games – the highest by Arsenal since the Invincibles campaign managed by Arsene Wenger. Unfortunately, a lack of squad depth and defensive frailties eventually cost Arteta’s men dearly.
Top of the table with an 8-point lead with just 8 games to go. The only thing in the way of their first title in 19 years was them. Unfortunately, the young squad couldn’t cope with the pressure, and with just 2 wins in their last 8 matches, they opened the door for the Champions Man City to overtake them and secure their 3rd consecutive title. A ‘bottle’ in the eyes of many pundits, with the team also suffering a shock exit in the Europa League, but that should not distract from a progressive season for a club, that qualified for the Champions League for the first time in six years.
Mikel Arteta has rejuvenated and strengthened the bond between the club and its fanbase. Additionally, the club have tied down Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Aaron Ramsdale to long-term contracts. Expectations are high that this youthful Arsenal side could use this impressive season as a springboard for future success.
3. Manchester United: B+
Dutch coach Eric Ten Hag has worked wonders in his debut season to steady a ship that was sinking under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and interim boss Ralph Rangnick.
Though Man United endured a torrid start to the campaign with defeats to Brighton and Brentford, sending them to the foot of the table, the decision to drop captain Harry Maguire and terminate the contract of Cristiano Ronaldo made the front pages for weeks, and heavy losses against Liverpool and Europa League elimination in the hands of Sevilla further raised eyebrows. But amidst the compounding worries both inside and outside the club, Erik ten Haag was able to deliver Man United’s first trophy in six years – the League Cup, with the chance to add another trophy (FA Cup) next week and also secure a spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League. These successes have since shifted the mood towards an optimist ambiance at Old Trafford. Rashford had arguably his best season in his career with 17 league goals and breaking the 30-goal barrier in all competitions, while both Casemiro and Eriksen impressed in their debut campaigns. A victory against local- rivals City in the FA Cup final will be all sweeter considering the Citizens’ quest of replicating the Red Devils’ 2008 treble-winning season.
4. Newcastle United: A*
When Eddie Howe took over affairs in December of 2021, virtually no one could have envisaged that Newcastle will be playing Champions League football in 2023.
For many the objective would have been to have a comfortable season in the league, free from the stress and panic of a relegation battle. However, for the first time in 20 years, thanks to Eddie Howe’s revolution, the Magpies are back amongst the elite.
The season saw them record incredible results including a 6-1 drubbing of top-four rivals Tottenham.
Despite defeat in the League Cup final at Wembley -– their first final appearance in 24 years, Newcastle are sure to have a summer to celebrate! During this summer, Howe will have the tricky task of building a team capable of competing in Europe’s elite competition as well as meeting the new lofty expectations of another top 4 finish. Newcastle’s defensive record served as a catalyst to their successful season, with 14 clean sheets (2nd most in the league) and the seamless progression of new signings like Sven Botman and Alexander Isak. The ‘Toon Army’ have every right to be optimistic going into the next phase of the club’s project.
5. Liverpool: C
After coming so close to winning a historic quadruple last season, hopes were naturally high that Liverpool could once again challenge Man City’s dominance – a recent feat very few clubs have managed. But their disastrous pre-World Cup form which saw them lose to Nottingham Forest and at home to Leeds United spelt an early end to any realistic chance of silverware.
A surprising late-season rally, inspired by an imperious Mohamed Salah, saw the Reds through a scintillating 10-game unbeaten run, but it all came too little too late as Man United and Newcastle held their grip to 3rd and 4th respectively secure the final Champions League spots for next season. Jurgen Klopp has already begun the work of resetting his team for 2023/24, and after the departures of James Milner, Roberto Firmino, Alex Oxlade Chamberlain and Naby Keita. Now the onus is on the owners to invest heavily on the squad, recruiting younger fresher talent with the likes of Jude Bellingham and Alexis MacAllister being linked to a move to Anfield. If the Reds can acquire some of their targets in the summer transfer window, there is a growing feeling of optimism at Anfield that Liverpool could once again pose a serious title threat.
6. Brighton: A
Few could have predicted the immediate impact manager Roberto De Zerbi, who could barely communicate in English language upon his arrival, would have had on the club after he was appointed to replace Chelsea-bound Graham Potter in September.
After finishing 9th under Potter last season – the highest position the club have ever managed, De Zerbi unexpectedly took Brighton to a whole new level. Thrilling wins over Chelsea, Man Utd and Arsenal pushed Brighton into European contention, which they cemented with an impressive draw against champions Man City with a game to spare. The highlight of the season has to be the fluid and fearless attacking style of play De Zerbi has introduced at the club, as well as the breakout season for Kaoru Mitoma and the performances of youngsters Evan Ferguson and Julio Enciso. Big questions remain over the future of Moises Caicedo and World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister, as the manager has hinted that the club will likely accommodate their wishes to move on. Regardless of their outcomes, the Amex Stadium will be buzzing with Brighton playing in Europe for the first time in their history.
7. Aston Villa: B –
What a season it’s been at Villa Park. A plunge into the abyss was salvaged and made further impressive by the appointment of former Arsenal Manager Unai Emery. After winning just 2 of their opening 12 matches, Villa sacked former boss Steven Gerrard following a woeful 3-0 collapse at Fulham with the West Midlands side in dire need for a step in the right direction,
Despite rumours circling that Mauricio Pochettino and Thomas Tuchel would manage the club, former Arsenal boss Emery took over and transformed their season in a flash. His debut match, a 3-1 win over Man Utd, was followed by thrilling wins over Tottenham, Chelsea, and Newcastle, with Hollywood hero Tom Hanks watching on as they narrowly lost to title-chasing Arsenal. An incredible rise through the table breathes new life into a club that achieved its highest position in the league since it returned to the top flight in 2019. 7th place finish on the final day secured European football for Aston Villa, a far cry from their suffering at the beginning of the season. Key players that sparked the turnout include Ollie Watkins, who scored a career-best 15 league goals, and Douglas Luiz, with his reliable midfield partnership alongside John McGinn responsible for steering Villa up the table.
8. Tottenham: D
An utter disappointment of a season was capped by the outright miss on European football next season. An embarrassing campaign for Tottenham judging by recent standards began with so much hope. For a better part of the first half of the season, Antonio Conte’s team looked sure to finish in the top four as they had done in the previous season.
Despite a flurry of decent signings since, even Harry Kane – who broke Spurs’ all-time goalscoring record and finished second behind Erling Haaland with an impressive 30 league goals in the race for the Premier League golden boot – could not prevent Spurs from sliding down the table.
Manager Antonio Conte suffered the agonising loss of his fitness coach Gian Piero Ventrone, former teammate Gianluca Vialli and close friend Sinisa Mihajlovic in a matter of months, and after returning from Italy having undergone gallbladder surgery in February, was sacked for openly criticising his players after letting a two-goal lead slip against bottom-club Southampton. Ryan Mason was appointed as a temporary fix, but a series of woeful defeats added fuel to the protests against Daniel Levy’s ownership. There is little sense of optimism amongst Spurs fans going into the new season with Kane’s future again up for speculation, coupled with underwhelming seasons for Heung-Min Son and Richarlison.
9. Brentford: B
Brentford capped their second season in the Premier League with their first-ever top-half finish. The Bees have been on the rise ever since manager Thomas Frank took charge, and after winning promotion to the top flight for the first time since 1947, they have been thrilling to watch.
Famous wins over Man Utd, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham and the double over Man City (the only team to do this season) made a mockery of those who thought they would be facing relegation after losing Christian Eriksen in the summer. The West London side had Ben Mee starring from the back and Ivan Toney their fulcrum in the attack en route to a productive season. Only Harry Kane and Erling Haaland have scored more than the 27-year-old this season, and it will be interesting to see who picks up his goalscoring burden with the player out of action until mid-January as he serves a suspension for betting. That is the only hiccup in an otherwise stellar campaign.
10. Fulham: B+
It’s been quite a terrific season for Marco Silva and his Cottagers. Just 12 months after winning the Championship, Fulham sealed their first top-half finish since finishing 9th in 2012. Winning more games than their record haul of 17 in 1959-60 and scoring more goals than in any other previous Premier League campaign.
Impressive wins over West London rivals Chelsea and all four relegation-threatened teams put to bed any notion of a bottom-half finish and it could have been even better had Aleksandar Mitrovic not lashed out during an ill-tempered FA Cup defeat at Man Utd back in March, resulting in a hefty 8-game suspension. Fans will hope Craven Cottage will once again become a fortress as they cement their status among the top 10 again and if possible push for the European places next season.
11. Crystal Palace: C+
For the Eagles, a worrying campaign was rescued by Roy Hodgson, who was brought in to replace Patrick Vieira as Palace suffered a post-World Cup collapse- failing to win a single game in over two months.
The 75-year-old former Palace manager successfully steered the club away from relegation with the youngest team in the league – happy retirement certainly awaits. Cheick Doucouré, Eberechi Eze (who scored six goals in eight games resulting in a deserved 1st England call-up) alongside Michael Olise, Marc Guehi, and Sam Johnstone (in the absence of Vincente Guiata) all ensured Crystal Palace where able to have themselves a decent season.
12. Chelsea: D –
One of the most shambolic seasons in their history. After Roman Abrahmovic was forced to sell the club[1] , new owner Todd Boehly embarked on a new era by sacking Thomas Tuchel and replacing him with Graham Potter. The former Brighton manager, mocked by fans and players alike, lasted only 31 games before his assistant, Bruno Saltor, took over for just one match – an uninspiring 0-0 draw against fellow strugglers Liverpool.
There was little spark when caretaker boss Frank Lampard took the helm of affairs, as he was coming off the back of a disastrous Everton spell. It proved to be a reasonable assessment as Frank Lampard took Chelsea to a new level of low. The Blues lost their next six games as their season unravelled to new depths.
New manager Mauricio Pochettino will have the immediate task of picking through Boehly’s expensively assembled squad of misfits in the hope of creating something that resembles a team. Overall, Chelsea supporters will be mightily relieved that this season is finally over.
13. Wolves: C
A bitterly disappointing campaign that could have ended in relegation was saved by the intervention of Julien Lopetegui. After back-to-back top-seven finishes and challenging for European places, it was back to square one at the Molineux despite a £200m outlay on players.
Bruno Lage was sacked in October after a dire run of form sent them spiralling into the relegation zone. Steve Davis took temporary charge, with the goal-shy Wolves winning just one match before Julen Lopetegui was appointed the following month. The 56-year-old became the first manager since 2014/15 to lead a club to safety despite being bottom on Christmas Day, but fans will be concerned that he is already rumoured to be leaving the club over FFP issues. What will this mean to the future of Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho? Difficult few months lay ahead at Molineux.
14. West Ham: C+
It’s been a mixed season for West Ham, with grave disappointment in their Premier League campaign, the Hammers defied the odds to reach their first European final in 47 years – a cup run that might have just saved David Moyes’ job.
Owner David Sullivan should be praised for keeping faith with Moyes as West Ham slowly eased relegation fears with crucial wins against bottom-three rivals Nottingham Forest, Leeds and Southampton, as well as coming from behind to draw 2-2 with Arsenal and earning all three points against Man Utd.
A nervous 90+ minutes now awaits West Ham fans as a victory against Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League on June 7th will not only bring home silverware but also guarantee European football at the London Stadium next season.
15. Bournemouth: B
Gary O’Neil has excelled since taking over from Scott Parker at the Vitality Stadium, whose reign ended in a distasteful manner- a 9-0 thumping by Liverpool four games into the season.
The 39-year-old was on the verge of being replaced by Marcelo Bielsa in November but a steady run of results turned heads and his caretaker position was made into a permanent 18-month contract[2] [3]. Impressive results – including famous wins over Tottenham and Liverpool quickly made O’Neil a player and fan favourite. Season objective of Premier League survival is complete, and doing so with a few games to spare for better measure. Considering they were overwhelmingly tipped to get relegated at the start of the season, O’Neil has done a fantastic job to get the best of his squad and retain their Premier League status.
16. Nottingham Forest: C
Steve Cooper did what could be dubbed the job of a miracle worker at Forest by keeping them in the Premier League at the first attempt, after winning promotion through the play-offs last year. Owner Evangelos Marinakis, who backed Cooper with statements of support in October and April, has been rewarded for showing faith in a manager widely respected by fans and players alike as they look to build next season.
Forest turned the City Ground into a fortress-winning 30 of their 38 points at home with key victories over Arsenal, Brighton, and Southampton in the run-in aiding their attempts to avoid the drop. Forest secured safety with a game to spare and Morgan Gibbs-White was given the large chunk of the plaudits- the £40 million signing from Wolves is proving to be worth every penny. Fellow summer signing Taiwo Awoniyi also impressed and his late-season form scoring 5 goals in the last 3 games were pivotal to survival.
17. Everton: D
It has been a shambolic season at Everton with regular fan-led protests calling for new ownership, leading to the current board dodging Goodison Park due to security concerns. After surviving the drop on a penultimate day last season, the board offered a strategic review of the lessons learnt but if anything, the club has gone backward.
Frank Lampard was sacked in January following a dreadful start to the season, leaving them second bottom of the table. Sean Dyche came in to steady the ship, with key victories over Arsenal, Brighton, and Bournemouth on the final day keeping them up by just 2 points. The club might be building a new stadium on Bramley Moore dock, but the future is looking murky and if sizable investment into the playing squad isn’t made in the summer, it could see the Toffees launch their new stadium in the lower tier of English football.
18. Leicester: F
FA Cup winners two years ago and 2015 Premier League champions, Leicester’s sudden plight is a heartbreaking and cautionary tale for future generations. A sad tale of ‘how not to run a club.’
It will take a summer of soul-searching at the King Power Stadium to unravel a myriad of reasons for the cause of their dramatic downfall this season – injuries to key players, atrocious defending, and lack of planning, but after a dreadful season in which three managers couldn’t stop the rot, things could get even worse with doubts over the future of some of their established stars: Jamie Vardy, Kelechi Iheanacho, Youri Tielemans, James Maddison and Harvey Barnes. It’s going to be a long summer for the Foxes.
19. Leeds United: F
After guiding Leeds to safety on the final day of last year, performances barely improved under manager Jesse Marsh. Sadly, he was sacked in February with the free-falling club in lying 17th.
The boys from Elland Road failed to provide any cover for established stars including Patrick Bamford and Tyler Adams and lacked any strength in defence as they shipped the highest number of goals in the division (78). Javier Garcia was appointed to improve results but with four games to go and panic setting in, the club made a last-minute switch for Sam Allardyce, leading to the resignation of their director of football Victor Orta. After a season of turmoil, the club ended their three-year stay in the top flight in total disarray.
20. Southampton: F
The Saints have endured their worst top-flight season on record with three managers unable to stop their slide into the Championship. After their dramatic rise from League One in 2011, Southampton went five years without finishing lower than eighth in the Premier League but were the first team to be relegated this term after a shambolic campaign.
Following a woeful start to the season, Ralph Hasenhuttl was sacked and replaced by Nathan Jones – a manager with no top-flight experience, on a three-and-a-half-year deal. They dropped into the relegation zone by November and simply couldn’t resurrect themselves. After a wasted January transfer window, Southampton sunk to the bottom of the league and Jones became their shortest-serving manager in history, replaced after only three months by Ruben Selles, who gave fans some reason to cheer with too-little-too-late results over Chelsea, Man United, and Leicester City before Southampton’s inevitable fate was sealed. Captain James Ward-Prowse will almost certainly be moving on, with other young talents in Romeo Lavia Armel Bella-Kotchap also on the radar of some Premier League clubs.
