Best of 2017-18 Premier League

After another record-breaking Premier League season came to an end, Sportstar picks the best to savour from the 2017-18 campaign.

Published : May 14, 2018 11:47 IST

Manchester City won the Premier League title with a record 100 points.
Manchester City won the Premier League title with a record 100 points.
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Manchester City won the Premier League title with a record 100 points.

Manchester City did not go unbeaten in the Premier League, like Arsenal did in 2004-05. But it will, like that famous Arsenal team, be talked about and remembered forever because of the numerous records it created and broke. Some of Man City's records that truly blow the mind away are its tally of 100 points, the most ever wins in a single Premier League season (32), the most goals ever scored in a Premier League season (106), among others.

City's achievements were, however, not the only significant aspect of the season. All three clubs that gained promotion to the English top-flight — Huddersfield Town, Newcastle United and Brighton and Hove Albion — retained their Premier League status for another season.

Mohamed Salah created the record for the most goals (32) scored by a player in a 38-match Premier League season, while David de Gea, the Manchester United goalkeeper, won his first Golden Glove award.

With the season coming to a close, Sportstar takes a look at the standout performers and moments from yet another enthralling campaign.

Suhith Kumar's Premier League picks

Moment of the season

Kevin de Bruyne played a massive role in City's record-breaking season and one moment that shaped it was his goal against his former club, Chelsea.

With the match goalless heading into the final quarter, de Bruyne exchanged passes with Gabriel Jesus and let fly a thunderous left-footed hit from outside the box. It won City the match 1-0 and contributed to the title win.

Player of the season

Few wingers in world football have been as prolific goal-scorers as Mohamed Salah was for Liverpool. To score 32 goals in a 38-match season was mind-boggling and a good percentage of those came in crucial matches, against the likes of Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal.

Mohamed Salah
Liverpool's winger Mohamed Salah
 

Salah was for Liverpool what de Bruyne was for City!

Young player of the season

Leroy Sane - The German winger finished the season with the second-most assists (15) in the league. Staying fit helped him make a substantial contribution to City winning the title, while he performed consistently well, too.

Team of the season

Goalkeeper: Ederson (MCI)

Defenders: Kyle Walker (MCI), Nicolas Otamendi (MCI), Cesar Azpilicueta (CHE), Marcos Alonso (CHE)

Midfielders: Fernandinho (MCI), Kevin de Bruyne (MCI), Christian Eriksen (TOT)

Forwards: Mohamed Salah (LIV), Harry Kane (TOT), Raheem Sterling (MCI)

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Shyam Vasudevan'sPremier League picks

Moment of the season

Arsene Wenger's retirement, after an illustrious career spanning over 22 long years, will remain the biggest and probably most-talked about moment of this Premier League season.

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Arsene Wenger bids goodbye to Arsenal fans
 

Despite having led the Gunners to three Premier League, seven FA Cup and seven Community Shield titles, pressure had been mounting on the 68-year-old since last year, when Arsenal failed to make it to the Champions League for the first time in 20 years, with the #WengerOut campaign raging on.

The Frenchman departs from The Emirates as its longest-serving manager, leaving behind some huge shoes to fill.

Player of the season: Mohamed Salah

Salah's incredible run of a record 32 goals this season has most certainly made him a force to reckon with. The Egyptian led Liverpool's attacking duties post Philipe Coutinho's departure and has done a spectacular job at it.

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Manchester City's goalkeeper Ederson
 

Young player of the season: Ederson

The Brazilian goalkeeper played a pivotal role in Manchester City's title triumph, pulling off a remarkable 16 clean sheets, only second to David de Gea. His impressive form is further proved by the fact that City conceded all of 27 goals, the lowest in the league.

Team of the season

Goalkeeper: David de Gea (MUN)

Defenders: Marcos Alonso (CHE), Nicolas Otamendi (MCI), Jan Vertonghen (TOT), Kyle Walker (MCI)

Midfielders: Kevin de Bruyne (MCI), Sadio Mane (LIV), David Silva (MCI)

Forwards: Harry Kane (TOT), Mohamed Salah (LIV), Sergio Aguero (MCI)

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Aashin Prasad's Premier League picks

Moment of the season

David de Gea's stunning shot-stopping ability was in full flow at the Emirates Stadium in November when Manchester United robbed three points from Arsenal. The Gunners' 75% possession and 33 shots could result in only a solitary goal as it came across an inspired De Gea in between the posts, who made a joint-record 14 saves, including a point blank double save off Alexandre Lacazette and Alexis Sanchez.

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Manchester United's David de Gea makes a save against Alexis Sanchez
 

Player of the season: Mohamed Salah

While forwards are always within a shout of scoring goals in a Jurgen Klopp's side, it is the manner in which Salah got them that tips the title in his favour. On his return to the Premier League, the Egyptian has put the ball in the back of the net on 32 occasions, while setting up his team-mates 10 times. Of the 36 games Salah played in, he failed to either score or assist in only nine of them.

Young player of the season: Leroy Sane

Although, his club-mate Raheem Sterling had better output, Sane's trickery combined with his electric pace proved to be a nightmare for defenders. On the back of Pep Guardiola's coaching, the 22-year-old winger has stepped up in his second season in England. His first half performance away to Arsenal in March where City won 3-0 showed further glimpses of what is to come from the youngster.

Team of the season

Goalkeeper: David de Gea (MUN)

Defenders: Kyle Walker (MCI), Nicolas Otamendi (MCI), Chris Smalling (MUN)

Midfielders: Kevin de Bruyne (MCI), Fernandinho (MCI), David Silva (MCI); Christian Eriksen (TOT)

Forwards: Mohamed Salah (LIV), Roberto Firmino (LIV), Leroy Sane (MCI)

 

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