Most memorable moments in the Premier League in 2022

2022 was another memorable year for the Premier League, not least, because after the pandemic, the crowds were back and stadiums were full again. It was also unusual because, with less than a third of the new season played, the action halted because of the Qatar World Cup.

2021 – 2022 season

The race to become league champions came down in the end to just two clubs: Manchester City, the defending champions, and Liverpool, who, at one stage, were chasing four titles. They finally had to settle for two domestic cups, having been defeated by Real Madrid in the Champions League final and losing the Premier League by a single point to their rivals, despite finishing with 92 points, more than enough in most years to win the league.

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After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, sanctions were put on Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich. The club could only keep running under government control until it was eventually sold to a group led by Todd Boehly. Despite that, they finished third, one place better than Tottenham, who pipped North London rivals, Arsenal, to Premier League football.

2022 – 2023 season

Arsenal had the best start to the new season, thanks to some smart moves in the summer transfer window. They were five points ahead of City when the World Cup stopped play for a while.

City, though, remain favourites to win their fifth title in six seasons, not least because they have brought in Erling Haaland to bolster their attack. He has already scored 23 goals in just 18 appearances for his new club and is on track to break all records.

Newcastle United

When Newcastle United were bought by a Saudi-backed consortium in October 2021, they became, at a stroke, potentially the richest club in the world, However, contrary to some expectations, they did not indulge in a massive spending spree, but have instead chosen to build steadily.

Under Eddie Howe, they managed a respectable 11^th place finish in the 2021-2022 season, and they lie third in the current campaign, which is ahead of their own schedule.

Manchester United

Manchester United have had a very mixed 2022 season. When they fired Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, they put Ralf Rangnick in charge as interim manager. He came to Old Trafford with a good name. But he couldn’t make the team play a certain way, and he couldn’t run the dressing room either.

A sixth-place finish cost him his job, and Erik Ten Hag arrived from Ajax to replace him. The Dutchman has helped bring discipline back to the club, but he had to bench star player Cristiano Ronaldo as a result. Ronaldo got his own back by giving a TV interview that made headlines all over the world. His contract was terminated by mutual consent.

Managerial sackings

The Premier League is a highly competitive environment, but there is very little job security for managers, and already six clubs have had a change of head coach this season. Even bringing major trophy success to a club is no guarantee of job tenure, as Thomas Tuchel found out at Chelsea to his cost.