Who were 'superb'? Who were an 'utter shambles'? McNulty's season review

Liverpool: 1st

McNulty's pre-season prediction: 3rd

Worthy winners of a 20th title. Liverpool dominated nan Premier League from an early shape and ne'er looked for illustration slipping up arsenic they moved relentlessly while others faltered. A superb first play for caput coach Arne Slot, who made what galore regarded arsenic nan intolerable task of succeeding Jurgen Klopp look truthful overmuch easier than it was.

Mohamed Salah was nan inspiration, but this Liverpool squad had strength, value and consistency successful each areas. They tin now adhd powerfulness from nan eventual position of strength, pinch Bayer Leverkusen's superb Florian Wirtz perchance connected nan measurement successful a £125m British grounds deal.

What McNulty said successful August: "While location is understandable worry from supporters astir nan deficiency of signings, this remains an exceptionally beardown Liverpool squad. They will situation for trophies and decorativeness successful nan apical four."

Arsenal: 2nd

McNulty's pre-season prediction: 2nd

This was yet a disappointing play for Arsenal, contempt finishing 2nd successful nan Premier League and reaching nan semi-final of nan Champions League. They woody successful trophies - but head Mikel Arteta has now gone 5 years without one. He has to present adjacent season.

They had excessively galore draws successful nan league. And while injuries deed hard, Arsenal paid nan value for not addressing a awesome flaw past summertime by signing a striker. They must do it now.

What McNulty said successful August: "Arsenal must surely beryllium successful nan marketplace for a proven goalscorer earlier nan adjacent of nan transportation window, a constituent still lacking for each past season's excellence."

Manchester City: 3rd

McNulty's pre-season prediction: Champions

A desperately disappointing play by their ain standards, ne'er threatening to triumph a 5th successive Premier League title. Losing to Real Madrid successful nan Champions League play-off stage, past Crystal Palace successful nan FA Cup final, provided further lows.

Pep Guardiola's proposal that nan Community Shield equalled occurrence made a very hollow sound. This was, that meaningless bauble aside, a play of comparative failure.

This will person wounded Manchester City, contempt reaching nan Champions League erstwhile again - truthful expect a superior consequence from a wounded club.

What McNulty said successful August: "Think astir backing against them. Then deliberation again. There will beryllium a play erstwhile Manchester City do not triumph nan Premier League - I'm conscionable not judge this will beryllium it."

Chelsea: 4th

McNulty's pre-season prediction: 7th

Enzo Maresca was keen to move connected his and Chelsea's critics, and he deserves in installments for taking them backmost into nan Champions League connected nan last time of nan play while looking guardant to a Europa Conference League last against Real Betis.

It was still a unusual season, however, and galore Chelsea fans stay to beryllium convinced by Maresca's studied passing style, moreover if nan owners are.

Chelsea looked title outsiders astir October but a dip successful shape - particularly for nan superb Cole Palmer - ended that talk. But it was a decent return for this play pinch nan anticipation of a trophy.

Summer priorities? A amended goalkeeper than Robert Sanchez and a reliable goalscorer.

What McNulty said successful August: "Impossible to foretell what will hap successful nan adjacent 20 minutes astatine Chelsea, fto unsocial what mightiness person happened by nan clip May rolls around."

Newcastle United: 5th

McNulty's pre-season prediction: 9th

A superb play from head Eddie Howe and his team. The Toon Army celebrated their first home trophy for 70 years - and first silverware for 55 years - pinch nan deserved Carabao Cup triumph against Liverpool astatine Wembley and now they are backmost successful nan Champions League.

St James' Park was successful a acold sweat connected nan last time arsenic Newcastle mislaid to Everton, but nan statement started aft Manchester United's arguable triumph against Aston Villa.

This will surely mean cardinal duo Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes person nary request to oculus pastures caller and will shape nan bedrock for further advancement adjacent season.

What McNulty said successful August: "Top 10 but still immoderate uncertainty astatine Newcastle United."

Aston Villa: 6th

McNulty's pre-season prediction: 4th

Aston Villa's good play ended successful nan contention and acrimony of conclusion astatine Manchester United and that disallowed effort from Morgan Rogers, ending their hopes of a 2nd successive play successful nan Champions League, wherever they reached nan quarter-final this term.

Unai Emery still produces activity that should beryllium nan envy of clubs specified arsenic Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur. He will proceed to request advancement nether Villa's eager owners.

There was surely a tinge of disappointment successful Villa's conclusion, pinch nan mystifying "no show" successful nan FA Cup semi-final against Crystal Palace astatine Wembley a large blot, past that last time defeat, but Emery has transformed Villa and, pinch outstanding youngsters specified arsenic Rogers, location is still overmuch to beryllium satisfied about.

What McNulty said successful August: "Champions League shot will put an further strain connected Emery's squad but I fancy apical 4 again."

Nottingham Forest: 7th

McNulty's pre-season prediction: 16th

The truth location was moreover nan specified talk of disappointment astatine missing retired connected nan Champions League illustrates what a superb play Nottingham Forest person had nether Nuno Espirito Santo.

Yes, a beardown position was wasted, but if you had offered immoderate Forest instrumentality coagulated information astatine nan commencement of nan season, fto unsocial European football, they would person signed up instantly.

Striker Chris Wood had nan play of his life, while nan coveted Morgan Gibbs-White was outstanding. Goalkeeper Matz Sels was apical class, and protect duo Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic provided nan bedrock.

Owner Evangelos Marinakis ne'er hides his ambition, truthful expect much large moves successful readiness for Europe.

What McNulty said successful August: "If Forest support this squad together (and they are ever looking to add), past I spot them staying up."

Brighton and Hove Albion: 8th

McNulty's pre-season prediction: 12th

A coagulated play pinch plentifulness of committedness nether 32-year-old caput coach Fabian Hurzeler, pinch hopes of Europe maintained until nan last day, erstwhile they won 4-1 astatine Tottenham Hotspur, but yet missed out.

Brighton's proceed to beryllium enterprising and easy connected nan oculus pinch their aggravated style, and this run was different illustration of really acold this well-run nine has come.

There is usually transportation activity astatine Amex Stadium, and Brighton will erstwhile again person different clubs eyeing outstanding attacking talent specified arsenic Joao Pedro and Kaoru Mitoma. History tells america they will beryllium prepared for specified eventualities.

What McNulty said successful August: "This whitethorn not beryllium nan top-six play of a mates of years backmost but Brighton are ever truthful watchable and will beryllium again."

Bournemouth: 9th

McNulty's pre-season prediction: 14th

They faded towards nan extremity of nan play aft threatening nan European places, but moreover this is nan motion of nan caller standards and aspirations astatine Vitality Stadium.

Bournemouth person a coveted head successful Andoni Iraola. If they tin support him distant from different clubs' clutches, they person a level for progress. They will request to switch defender Dean Huijsen, who is disconnected to Real Madrid successful a £50m deal, while left-back Milos Kerkez is expected to make a £40m move to Liverpool.

Like Brighton, they usually person a scheme successful manus should different clubs travel calling for their players - and those 2 signings unsocial show why nan Cherries are now fixtures successful nan apical flight.

What McNulty said successful August: "Could beryllium anxious times up but expect nan Cherries, nether Iraola, to survive."

Brentford: 10th

McNulty's pre-season prediction: 17th

What an outstanding occupation head Thomas Frank continues to do astatine Brentford. They vanished successful nan Premier League's apical 10 and nan days erstwhile galore (guilty!) thought they would struggle to past successful nan apical formation are long-gone.

They made a delirium of those pre-season pessimists. (Guilty again.)

Brentford are ever entertaining pinch those 2 outstanding forwards Bryan Mbuemo and Yoane Wissa. They hardly missed a hit aft nan nonaccomplishment of Ivan Toney.

What McNulty said successful August: "Manager Thomas Frank continues to do a good occupation but this whitethorn beryllium his biggest test."

Fulham: 11th

McNulty's pre-season prediction: 13th

A coagulated play for Fulham nether Marco Silva, though nan FA Cup quarter-final nonaccomplishment astatine location to Crystal Palace was a large disappointment and somewhat symptomatic of a play wherever shape could up and down from 1 crippled to nan next.

Even so, nan run represents progress. The 1 interest could beryllium a sound connected nan doorway from Spurs for Silva should they dispense pinch Ange Postecoglou.

What McNulty said successful August: "Much will dangle connected Silva himself but deliberation Fulham will person a comparatively untroubled season."

Crystal Palace: 12th

McNulty's pre-season prediction: 10th

An historical play astatine Crystal Palace nether Oliver Glasner arsenic they won nan FA Cup, nan first awesome trophy successful their history. That was aft a nightmare start, pinch their first triumph not coming until their ninth Premier League game.

Exciting successful onslaught pinch Eberechi Eze, Ismaila Sarr and Jean-Philippe Mateta, coagulated successful defence pinch Marc Guehi, and pinch nan outstanding Adam Wharton successful midfield, Palace person been specified a bully watch.

The FA Cup was a deserved reward for awesome fans. Glasner has proved an inspired assignment and if they support this squad together, it is onwards and upwards for nan Eagles.

What McNulty said successful August: "Glasner's all-out attacking attack has each chance of making it different entertaining, enjoyable play astatine Selhurst Park."

Everton: 13th

McNulty's pre-season prediction: 11th

A play that was 1 of despair until Sean Dyche's sacking successful January ended afloat of hope. The Friedkin Group, eager caller American owners, took charge, and David Moyes returned to animate a superb revival.

Three successive convention wins astatine nan end, including victories astatine Fulham and Newcastle United, confirmed nan improvement, but Moyes will still oversee a awesome squad overhaul.

Now it is disconnected to nan magnificent caller stadium connected nan banks of nan River Mersey aft nan men's squad bade an affectional farewell to Goodison Park.

A large summertime lies up but Everton's early looks truthful overmuch brighter.

What McNulty said successful August: "They will request luck pinch injuries to fulfil this forecast, arsenic good arsenic 1 aliases 2 much additions, but I do not spot Everton struggling this season."

West Ham United: 14th

McNulty's pre-season prediction: 8th

A joyless play for nan Hammers, who had precocious expectations pursuing Julen Lopetegui's arrival. It proved an ill-fated appointment. He was sacked aft only six months successful charge, while Graham Potter has been incapable to technologist immoderate important improvement.

Potter tin only really beryllium judged erstwhile he has put his ain stamp connected nan squad, pinch Jarrod Bowen nan subordinate he will build around, but nary escaping this has been a hopeless campaign.

What McNulty said successful August: "Julen Lopetegui has replaced David Moyes, whose afloat worthy to West Ham United whitethorn yet go clear successful nan months ahead, and not conscionable because he won nan Europa Conference League."

Manchester United: 15th

McNulty's pre-season prediction: 5th

Where do you moreover start?

When a manager, successful this lawsuit Ruben Amorim, is offering nationalist apologies connected nan transportation conscionable six months aft his appointment, you get nan image of conscionable what a dreadful authorities a proud nine is in.

Amorim besides told supporters: "Good days are coming." There is small grounds of this coming to walk astatine nan extremity of United's worst top-flight play since 1973-74.

They were an utter shambles. On and disconnected nan pitch, from nan ill-judged (not to mention hugely expensive) determination to support Erik 10 Hag and widen his contract, past sack him, to nan full deficiency of effect from successor Amorim aft his presence successful November.

A tally to nan Europa League last threatened to screen up gaping cracks, arsenic good arsenic nan increasing discontent pinch part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, but United reverted to type pinch a mind-numbingly bad show successful losing to Tottenham.

A caput coach who seems uneasy successful his role. A mediocre squad ill-suited to said coach's preferred 3 astatine nan back. Unpopular owners. Morale astatine nan nine stone bottom.

Other than that...

What McNulty said successful August: "Erik 10 Hag is still successful a occupation aft winning nan FA Cup past play but he is surely realistic capable to cognize he needs a bully commencement to extremity speculation rearing its caput again, moreover aft signing a caller contract."

Wolverhampton Wanderers: 16th

McNulty's pre-season prediction: 15th

Points past pints was nan mantra of Wolves' head Vitor Pereira arsenic he talked astir sharing a portion pinch fans - and he sewage much than his stock aft he replaced sacked Gary O'Neil successful December erstwhile they were 2nd from bottom.

They had a tame extremity to nan season, but Pereira brought caller unity, starring to a revival which included six consecutive top-flight wins for nan first clip since 1970.

Wolves, who are apt to suffer prima striker Matheus Cunha to Manchester United, faded erstwhile information was assured, but location is now origin for cautious optimism nether nan charismatic Pereira.

What McNulty said successful August: "I deliberation Wolves tin debar threat - and surely they will get a amended woody from VAR this season."

Tottenham Hotspur 17th

McNulty's pre-season prediction: 6th

Head aliases heart? This is what Tottenham president Daniel Levy will beryllium weighing up arsenic he decides nan early of head Ange Postecoglou.

The abysmal convention run - an embarrassment to a nine of Tottenham's stature - will now beryllium remembered for nan glorious Europa League triumph successful Bilbao, nan club's first trophy since 2008.

Postecoglou lived up to his insistence, based connected difficult evidence, that he ever wins a trophy successful his 2nd play astatine a club, but will it beryllium capable to person Levy to springiness him a third?

On Premier League evidence, it's very unlikely. Spurs mislaid 22 convention games, doubly arsenic galore arsenic they won. But really tin you sack a head who has won your first trophy for 17 years and put you backmost successful nan Champions League?

We will soon find out.

What McNulty said successful August: "Really absorbing play up for Spurs."

Leicester City: 18th

McNulty's pre-season prediction: 19th

Steve Cooper lasted 5 months aft succeeding Enzo Maresca. Ruud van Nistelrooy replaced Cooper, and took Leicester down. Jamie Vardy had a much colourful building for it, but present I will conscionable opportunity it was a fiasco.

Performances were desperate. Fans were discontent. It was not nan statement connected which Vardy wanted to extremity his 13 years astatine King Power Stadium.

Leicester's fans are often accused of demanding excessively much. Whether this is existent aliases not, they had each correct to request amended than this connected and disconnected nan pitch.

What McNulty said successful August: "Cooper and Leicester could defy nan likelihood but it whitethorn good beryllium a steep uphill struggle."

Ipswich Town: 19th

McNulty's pre-season prediction: 20th

There were immoderate flashes of hope, each excessively rarely. A return to nan Premier League proved excessively overmuch for Ipswich nether Kieran McKenna, aft nan superb accomplishment of 2 successive promotions. Liam Delap showed his value but location was not capable elsewhere. He will leave, but McKenna mightiness deliberation he has capable for different promotion adjacent season.

What McNulty said successful August: "It will beryllium immoderate feat if they enactment up."

Southampton: 20th

McNulty's pre-season prediction: 18th

A desperate, miserable play for Saints. They were doomed early connected arsenic Russell Martin's passing strategy proved unsuitable against higher-calibre pressing opponents, while Ivan Juric's assignment arsenic his replacement was inexplicable.

Southampton's only accomplishment was getting capable points to guarantee they were not nan Premier League's worst-ever team. A loyal support deserves better. Perhaps nan Championship tin supply nan chance of a reset nether caller head Will Still.

What McNulty said successful August: "It whitethorn beryllium a high-risk strategy successful nan Premier League, arsenic Burnley discovered past season, but Russell Martin does not look for turning."