August
The Premier League season started ominously as Erling Haaland took just four minutes to get his goalscoring campaign under way when Manchester City beat Burnley in the opening match. Elsewhere, Luton’s first top-flight game for 31 years ended in defeat at Brighton and Ange Postecoglou claimed manager of the month (as he would do again in September and October) as Tottenham made a fast start to the season.
Manchester City’s Erling Haaland celebrates scoring against Burnley. City won 3-0. Photograph: Nathan Stirk/Getty Images
Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson clashes with Max Lowe of Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. Palace won 1-0. Photograph: SportImage/Sheffield United FC/Getty Images
Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka scores their second goal past Nottingham Forest’s Matt Turner. Arsenal won 2-1. Photograph: David Klein/Reuters
Nottingham Forest fans celebrate on the final whistle against Sheffield United at the City Ground. Forest won 2-1. Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty Images
A general view of empty seats, due to the re-development of Anfield, during a match between Liverpool and Bourneouth. Liverpool won 3-1. Photograph: David Klein/Reuters
Tottenham’s James Maddison celebrates scoring their first goal against Bournemouth with Son Heung-min and Pape Sarr.
Tottenham won 2-0. Photograph: John Sibley/Action Images/Reuters
Liverpool’s Darwin Núñez celebrates scoring their first goal against Newcastle at St James’ Park as the visitors came back late in the game despite having ten men. Liverpool won 2-1. Photograph: Scott Heppell/Reuters
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September
Nine-man Liverpool suffered their first defeat of the campaign when Joël Matip agonisingly turned the ball into his own net against Tottenham in the 96th minute. Earlier in the game VAR failed to rule a Luis Díaz goal onside following a communication mix-up by the officials. Elsewhere, the biggest win of the season came when Newcastle thumped Sheffield United 8-0, while Luton beat Everton 2-1 to record their first win since promotion.
Gabriel Jesus of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his team’s third goal against Manchester United at Emirates Stadium. Arsenal won 3-1. Photograph: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC/Getty Images
Anthony Gordon of Newcastle is fouled by Mark Flekken of Brentford leading to a penalty in their match at St James’ Park.
Newcastle won 1-0. Photograph: Stu Forster/Getty Images
Manchester United’s Brazilian midfielder Casemiro reacts to going two goals behind against Brighton at Old Trafford. Brighton won 3-1. Photograph: Oli Scarff/AFP/Getty Images
Arsenal’s David Raya tumbles over Everton’s James Tarkowski at Goodison Park. Arsenal won 1-0. Photograph: Lee Smith/Action Images/Reuters
Wolves fans enter the away stand at Kenilworth Road before their Premier League match against Luton Town. The game ended 1-1. Photograph: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Dominic Calvert-Lewin celebrates with his Everton teammates after scoring his side’s third goal at Brentford Community Stadium. Everton won 3-1. Photograph: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
The scoreboard at Bramall Lane tells the story as Newcastle fans celebrate their hammering of Sheffield United. Newcastle won 8-0 thanks to eight different scorers. Photograph: George Wood/Getty Images
Joúl Matip of Liverpool reacts with anguish after scoring a late own goal against Tottenham, who won 2-1. Photograph: Marc Atkins/Getty Images
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October
Arsenal moved joint top of the table alongside Tottenham after defeating Manchester City at the Emirates thanks to Gabriel Martinelli’s late, deflected strike. It was City’s second league loss in succession – the first time that had happened since 2018. Manchester United enjoyed a remarkable comeback win over Brentford when Scott McTominay scored twice in injury time to deflate the visitors. They also mourned the loss of club legend Sir Bobby Charlton, who passed away aged 86.
Robert Sánchez of Chelsea saves a header from Raúl Jiménez of Fulham at Craven Cottage. Chelsea won 2-0. Photograph: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
Jacob Bruun Larsen celebrates scoring Burnley’s second goal against Luton at Kenilworth Road. Burnley won 2-1. Photograph: Peter Cziborra/Action Images/Reuters
Scott McTominay scores the second of his two injury-time goals for Manchester United against Brentford at Old Trafford. United won 2-1. Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty Images
Gabriel Martinelli shoots and the ball deflects off Nathan Aké to give Arsenal victory against Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal won 1-0. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian
Yoane Wissa and Thomas Frank celebrate victory against Burnley at Brentford Community Stadium. Brentford won 3-0. Photograph: Luke Walker/Getty Images
A flare is set off as Manchester United’s fans celebrate their side’s second goal of the game against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. The Red Devils won 2-1. Photograph: Richard Sellers/PA
The bulging River Trent runs alongside the City Ground before the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Luton Town. The game ended 2-2. Photograph: Nottingham Forest FC/Nottingham Forest/Getty Images
Burnley’s Luca Koleosho in action as his shirt is pulled by a Sheffield United player at Brentford Community Stadium. Brentford won 3-0. Photograph: Ian Walton/Reuters
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November
Two all-time classics happened in the space of six days. First, Chelsea beat Tottenham 4-1 in a madcap encounter in north London which ended with five goals chalked off by VAR and Spurs playing with nine men. The following weekend Chelsea and Manchester City shared eight goals and Cole Palmer, the former City player, scored a 95th-minute penalty to earn a draw. Elsewhere, Everton were docked 10 points for exceeding permitted operating losses, before Alejandro Garnacho scored a wonder goal for Manchester United against them.
Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United celebrates with teammates after scoring their first goal against Fulham at Craven Cottage. United won 1-0. Photograph: Ash Donelon/Manchester United/Getty Images
Liverpool’s Luis Díaz reveals a message to his father, who was abducted by terrorists in his native Colombia, while celebrating a goal against Luton at Kenilworth Road. The game ended 1-1. Photograph: Peter Cziborra/Action Images/Reuters
A Crystal Palace player warms up before the Premier League match against Everton at Selhurst Park. Everton won 3-2. Photograph: Chloe Knott/Danehouse/Getty Images
Leandro Trossard scores Arsenal’s first goal against Burnley at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal won 3-1. Photograph: David Price/Arsenal FC/Getty Images
Nottingham Forest’s Anthony Elanga celebrates after scoring his side’s second goal against West Ham at the London Stadium. West Ham won 3-2. Photograph: Mike Egerton/PA
Manchester City’s Erling Haaland scores their third goal against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge via his bum. The game ended 4-4. Photograph: John Sibley/Action Images/Reuters
Jürgen Klopp restrains Darwin Nuñéz as he reacts towards Pep Guardiola during the match between Liverpool and Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. The game ended 1-1. Photograph: Robbie Jay Barratt/AMA/Getty Images
Thousands of Everton fans during a demonstration march to Goodison Park to protest against their 10-point penalty. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian
Alejandro Garnacho of Manchester United scores a wonder goal against Everton at Goodison Park. United won 3-0. Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
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December
There were disturbing scenes at Bournemouth when Tom Lockyer collapsed after he suffered a cardiac arrest. The Luton captain was taken to hospital and the game abandoned. That same month, Luton showed their mettle as they pushed Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal to the wire. Elsewhere, Burnley thrashed Sheffield United and Arsenal’s defeat to Fulham meant Liverpool topped the pile on New Year’s Day with high-flying Aston Villa second on goal difference.
Referee Simon Hooper is surrounded by Erling Haaland, Mateo Kovacic and Rúben Dias of Manchester City after he stopped the game to award Manchester City a free-kick, denying Jack Grealish the chance to score a late goal against Tottenham Hotspur at Etihad Stadium. The game ended 3-3. Photograph: James Gill/Danehouse/Getty Images
Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper looks dejected following a crushing defeat to Fulham at Craven Cottage. Fulham won 5-0. Photograph: Zac Goodwin/PA
Michael Olise of Crystal Palace takes a corner against Liverpool at Selhurst Park. Liverpool won 2-1. Photograph: Alex Pantling/Getty Images
Rob Edwards, manager of Luton, applauds the fans after the match with Bournemouth is suspended following Tom Lockyer’s collapse at Vitality Stadium. Photograph: Warren Little/Getty Images
Mohammed Kudus of West Ham celebrates with Lucas Paquetá after scoring against Wolves at the London Stadium. West Ham won 3-0. Photograph: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Luis Díaz of Liverpool has a shot blocked by Sofyan Amrabat and André Onana of Manchester United as Diogo Dalot also closes in to help during the 0-0 draw at Anfield. Photograph: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Burnley fans arrive at Craven Cottage wearing Christmas themed fancy dress. Burnley won the match 2-0. Photograph: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
Beleaguered Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is seen before the match with West Ham at the London Stadium. West Ham won 2-0. Photograph: John Sibley/Action Images/Reuters
A general view of play amid the fog between Fulham and Arsenal at Craven Cottage. Fulham won 2-1. Photograph: Clive Rose/Getty Images
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January
Ivan Toney took just 19 minutes to score for Brentford after coming back from an eight-month ban for betting offences, while Kevin De Bruyne’s return from injury for Manchester City proved similarly successful as he scored and then assisted Oscar Bobb for the goal of the month. At the bottom of the table Chris Wilder lost his cool over officials eating sandwiches, while Liverpool extended their lead at the top to five points. But the big news came off the field when Jürgen Klopp announced his decision to step down as Reds manager at the end of the campaign.
Cole Palmer runs with the ball against Fulham at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea won 1-0. Photograph: Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images
Kevin De Bruyne is embraced by Pep Guardiola after the of Manchester City’s 3-2 victory against Newcastle at St James’ Park. Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty Images
Aston Villa’s Jhon Durán looks pained during a match against Everton at Goodison Park that ended 0-0. Photograph: Peter Byrne/PA
Prospective new owner of Manchester United, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, meets members of the press ahead of the match with Tottenham at Old Trafford. It ended 2-2. Photograph: Ash Donelon/Manchester United/Getty Images
Crystal Palace fans protest about mismanagement of the club at a match against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal won 5-0. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian
Ivan Toney (right) scores his side’s first goal from a free-kick against Nottingham Forest at Brentford Community Stadium. The home side won 3-2. Photograph: Andrew Kearns/CameraSport/Getty Images
Bukayo Saka ponders something against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. Arsenal won 2-1. Photograph: Alex Dodd/CameraSport/Getty Images
Liverpool youngster Conor Bradley plucks the ball out of the air during the Premier League match with Chelsea at Anfield. Liverpool won 4-1. Photograph: Peter Byrne/PA
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February
Arsenal put three past Liverpool, six past West Ham, five past Burnley and then four past Newcastle as the Gunners proved themselves genuine contenders in a three-horse title race. Elsewhere, Kobbie Mainoo snatched a stunning winner for Manchester United against Wolves, Sheffield United’s Mason Holgate was sent off for a horror challenge on Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma, and Crystal Palace agreed an amicable split with Roy Hodgson during his absence for health reasons.
Lisandro Martínez of Manchester United goes down with an injury against West Ham United at Old Trafford. United won 3-0. Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty Images
Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa disperses flares after a goal against Fulham at Craven Cottage. Villa won 2-1. Photograph: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Manchester City’s Erling Haaland misses a chance to score against Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium. The game ended 1-1. Photograph: Jason Cairnduff/Action Images/Reuters
Wolves players celebrate victory in the dressing room following their Premier League match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Wolves won 2-1. Photograph: Jack Thomas/WWFC/Wolves/Getty Images
Kaoru Mitoma of Brighton is badly fouled by Mason Holgate of Sheffield United resulting in a red card for Holgate. Brighton won the match at Bramall Lane 5-0. Photograph: James Gill/Danehouse/Getty Images
Chris Wilder, manager of Sheffield United, reacts with dismay following their match with Wolves at Molineux. Wolves won 1-0. Photograph: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images
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March
Nottingham Forest were deducted four points for breaching profit and sustainability rules and duly dropped into the relegation zone beneath Luton. Elsewhere, Marcus Rashford scored a screamer early in the Manchester derby but his side still went down 3-1 to City. Pep Guardiola’s team then recorded successive draws against Liverpool and Arsenal, with the trio separated by just three points at the end of the month. In the battle for the Champions League places, Tottenham unexpectedly spanked Aston Villa 4-0.
Nicolas Jackson of Chelsea looks on during the match against Brentford at the Brentford Community Stadium. It ended 2-2. Photograph: Chris Lee/Chelsea FC/Getty Images
Phil Foden (right) and Bernardo Silva of Manchester City celebrate the team’s second goal against Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium. City won 3-1. Photograph: Ash Allen/EPA
Aston Villa’s John McGinn argues with Ange Postecoglou before being shown a red card at Villa Park as Tottenham won 4-0. Photograph: David Klein/Reuters
A detailed view of the tattoos on the back of Ivan Toney after the match against Manchester United at Brentford Community Stadium. It ended 1-1. Photograph: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Mohammed Kudus asks a ballboy if he can sit on his stool to celebrate scoring West Ham’s second goal against Newcastle, but the ballboy declines. Newcastle won the match at St James’ Park 4-3. Photograph: Stu Forster/Getty Images
Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring Liverpool’s second goal against Brighton at Anfield. Liverpool won 2-1. Photograph: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC/Getty Images
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April
This was the month when the wheels fell off Liverpool’s title challenge. First they lost to their old nemesis Crystal Palace, then came a rare Merseyside derby defeat at Everton followed by a draw at West Ham. Arsenal also suffered a damaging reverse, going down 2-0 at Aston Villa through late goals from Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins, as Unai Emery’s men furthered their claim for a Champions League spot. Elsewhere, Everton secured safety for another season courtesy of three wins on the bounce, earning Sean Dyche the manager of the month award.
Kurt Zouma scores via his back for West Ham v Tottenham at the London Stadium in a 1-1 draw. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian
Gabriel Martinelli races past Luton’s Alfie Doughty at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal won 2-0. Photograph: Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images
Emi Martínez pushes out one of the many young mascots before Aston Villa versus Brentford at Villa Park. The match ended 3-3. Photograph: Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC/Getty Images
Alexander Isak scores of Newcastle’s opening goal against Tottenham as Micky van de Ven falls to the ground at St James’ Park. Newcastle won 4-0. Photograph: George Wood/Getty Images
Ross Barkley of Luton opens his eye during their Premier League match against Manchester City at Etihad Stadium. City won 5-1. Photograph: Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Getty Images
Kai Havertz of Arsenal looks dejected after the team concede a second goal to Aston Villa at Emirates Stadium. Villa won 2-0. Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Kristoffer Ajer of Brentford tackles Tahith Chong of Luton during their match at Kenilworth Road. Brentford won 5-1. Photograph: Mark Leech/Offside/Getty Images
Unai Emery, head coach of Aston Villa, arrives for the match with Bournemouth at Villa Park. Villa won 3-1. Photograph: Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC/Getty Images
A Chelsea fan holds up a banner reading ‘I don’t want your shirt!! I want you to want to fight for ours’ during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates Stadium. Arsenal won 5-0. Photograph: Alex Pantling/Getty Images
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May
Was there ever any doubt City would eventually triumph? Of course not. Pep Guardiola’s team ended the season by winning eight on the spin to claim their fourth successive Premier League title and their sixth under the Spaniard. Phil Foden was named player of the year and proved his worth on the final day by netting after just 79 seconds against West Ham. Arsenal fans could only look at their mobile phones in anguish. At the foot of the table, all three promoted teams suffered relegation, with Sheffield United conceding 104 goals in the process. Elsewhere, Liverpool bade an emotional farewell to Jürgen Klopp after nine years at the helm.
A fan poses for photos next to a mural of Liverpool’s departing manager Jürgen Klopp prior to their match with Tottenham at Anfield. Liverpool won 4-2. Photograph: Jon Super/AP
Thiago Silva of Chelsea speaks to teammates in a huddle ahead of kick-off in the West Ham match at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea won 5-0. Photograph: Chris Lee/Chelsea FC/Getty Images
A dejected Carlton Morris is consoled by Tom Lockyer after a 3-1 loss to West Ham at the London Stadium effectively sealed Luton’s relegation. Photograph: Shaun Brooks/Action Plus/Rex/Shutterstock
Rain cascades down through Old Trafford’s roof following their match with Arsenal, which the visitors won 1-0. Photograph: Matt West/Rex/Shutterstock
Erling Haaland celebrates scoring a goal from the penalty spot at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Manchester City won 2-0. Photograph: Javier García/Rex/Shutterstock
Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku celebrates with a balloon after scoring his team’s second goal against Brighton at the Amex Stadium. Chelsea won 2-1. Photograph: Glyn Kirk/AFP/Getty Images
Arsenal fans at Emirates Stadium check their phones and discover Manchester City’s Phil Foden has scored an early goal on the final day of the season. Arsenal beat Everton 2-1. Photograph: Paul Childs/Action Images/Reuters
Kyle Walker lifts the Premier League trophy as Manchester City win their fourth straight title following a 3-1 win over West Ham at the Etihad Stadium. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian