Season's End Awards

 

Season's End Awards 

Rookie Sensation 👶

Funniest Highlight 🤣

Sharpest-Dressed Coach 👔

Most Outrageous Ref Call 😡

To cap off the season, TRENDINGBLOG247 SPORT is dishing out our own accolades!

See also:Today's Best 5 PICKS to PLAY!!!!!

Match of the Season 👏

Plenty of games vied for our top pick, with Everton’s thrilling 2-2 draw against Liverpool in Goodison Park’s final Merseyside derby still vivid in memory. But Arsenal’s 5-1 demolition of Manchester City takes the crown—a Premier League clash packed with everything you’d want.

The Arsenal-City rivalry, simmering after their 2022-23 and 2023-24 title battles, is pure fire. Their September 2-2 draw saw Erling Haaland mock Mikel Arteta, telling him to “stay humble”—words that fueled the flames. At the Emirates, Arsenal unleashed havoc, shredding the champions. Teen star Myles Lewis-Skelly, previously taunted by Haaland, hit back by mimicking the striker’s zen celebration. Kendrick Lamar’s “Humble” blared over the speakers at full-time. Petty? Sure. But this edge is what football thrives on.

Worst game of the season😖

Cityzens, brace yourselves—this one stings. Pep Guardiola’s squad delivered a performance so dire it ranks among the worst football displays ever. Manchester City’s 0-0 snoozefest against rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford was an abomination that deserves to be erased from memory. It left fans worldwide grieving for the beautiful game. Thankfully, the past two months have brought thrilling action, helping us bury that shameful day.

Biggest overachievers 

Who predicted Nottingham Forest would be in the race for a Champions League spot on the final day? Or holding a top-three position for much of the season?

Even diehard Forest supporters couldn’t have foreseen their 2024-25 success. They’ve made Premier League history as the first team to double their points from one season to the next. Win or lose against Chelsea on Sunday, European football awaits next year. Hats off to Nuno Espirito Santo for steering through the City Ground storm.

Biggest disappointments 

Manchester United faced skepticism heading into the season after their baffling choice to keep Erik ten Hag, despite a chaotic summer, and splash another £200m on signings. Unsurprisingly, the Red Devils stumbled early, forcing them to finally sack the Dutchman. Expectations soared with Ruben Amorim’s arrival from Sporting CP, especially after Ruud van Nistelrooy’s interim stint stabilized things. Yet, United’s form plummeted, averaging under a point per game under the Portuguese manager.

The real sting? They’re at risk of finishing 17th—yes, seventeenth. Worse still, they squandered a shot at redemption, losing to Tottenham in the Europa League final, missing out on a trophy and a Champions League spot. So much for “lads, it’s Tottenham.”

Best kits 

Originally meant to honor a single standout, we couldn’t resist celebrating all three of Ipswich Town’s stunning kits. The Tractor Boys may have slipped out of the Premier League in their first season back since 2002, but they did it in style.  

The blue home shirt rocks a timeless vibe with pinstripes and a bold shield-backed badge. The deep red away kit exudes regal class. And that vibrant pink third strip? Pure flair with dazzling details. Wow!

Assist of the Season 🎯

No centre-back should move like Micky van de Ven. Stealing the ball in his own half, charging to the opponent's byline, and delivering a pinpoint cutback for Brennan Johnson’s tap-in? Unreal.

Our pick is Van de Ven’s stunner against Manchester United in September. Rewatch it as many times as you want here...

Funniest moment 

In week two, Chelsea headed to Wolverhampton to face Wolves, spending the night in the city. Noni Madueke wasn’t impressed, calling the place “sh*t” on Instagram, sparking local outrage.  

The next day, he bagged a hat-trick in Chelsea’s 6-2 rout and issued an apology: “Sorry to anyone I offended. It was a mistake, not meant to go public. Wolverhampton’s probably nice, and I’m sorry. I expected the boos—it’s part of the game. You’ve got to handle that pressure.”

Most Exciting Team to Watch 😍

Unai Emery has transformed Aston Villa into a thrilling, competitive force with undeniable flair. Their aggressive, chance-creating style is electrifying, even if it leaves them vulnerable at the back. At Villa Park, Emery’s squad is relentless, running tirelessly for each other with a camaraderie built over three seasons. They nearly staged a stunning Champions League comeback against finalists Paris Saint-Germain, proving their unique, unmatched watchability.

Rookie of the Year 👶

Let’s set stricter criteria. The Premier League and PFA Young Player awards are too lax, letting seasoned pros snag the honors. Eligibility should be limited to players under 20 at the season’s start with fewer than 500 Premier League (or top-five league) minutes. By this standard, Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly would claim Rookie of the Year. He debuted in September 2024, never played left-back until injuries forced him there, and still shone. The kid’s a star.

Comeback Star of the Year 🔄

Raul Jimenez, once a Premier League standout, netted 44 goals for Wolves from 2019 to 2021. A fractured skull from a clash with Arsenal derailed his career, and even after recovering, the Mexican striker struggled to regain his form.

This season, however, Jimenez has roared back. After a lackluster first year at Fulham, he’s overtaken rising star Rodrigo Muniz for the starting role and notched 12 league goals—his second-best European tally—with one game left.

Best mid-season managerial change 

Vitor Pereira at Wolves is the clear winner. Nominated for Premier League Manager of the Year, he’s worked wonders. Taking over a 19th-placed side reeling from a loss to relegation rivals Ipswich, with star Matheus Cunha tipped for a January exit, Pereira transformed Wolves’ fortunes. By May, they’re set to finish above Manchester United and Tottenham, securing their top-flight status. Cheers to that!

Sharpest Dressed Manager 😎

Shoutout to the only boss who brought style to the sidelines this year. Take a bow, Pep Guardiola. No silverware this season, but you’ve nabbed a prize worth more than the Community Shield, right?

'Streets Won't Forget' Award 🥰

Brentford keep defying the odds. Year after year, they lose a vital piece of their puzzle, yet they adapt and thrive. Last summer, Ivan Toney was sold to Al-Ahli for £40m, and somehow, the Bees have become an even sharper attacking unit.

The credit goes to the dynamic duo of Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa, true Barclays-era heroes with a knack for finding the net. Together, they’ve bagged 38 Premier League goals this season, making up 58.5% of Brentford’s total.

Whispers suggest Mbeumo might leave for giants like Manchester United or Liverpool this summer, but Wissa could remain to hold the fort at Gtech Community Stadium.

'The Final Bow' Award 😢

Goodison Park, Everton’s iconic, character-filled fortress, stands as a true classic of Premier League stadiums. Few grounds match its vibrant legacy.

Sunday’s goodbye to the Grand Old Lady was heartfelt, lively, and tearful. The Premier League will feel its absence, but Everton fans can still visit to cheer on the women’s team as they settle in from Walton Hall Park.

Worst Refereeing Blunder 😡

Arsenal fans might cry about a PGMOL conspiracy, but the season’s most outrageous call wasn’t theirs. That disgrace goes to Brentford’s Yehor Yarmolyuk, who nearly lost his head to a blatant elbow from Brighton’s Joao Pedro. Referee Andy Madley and VAR Chris Kavanagh somehow saw no red card in that violent conduct. Guess there’s a sky-high bar for a sending-off…

Mr. Motivator Award 🗣️

Ruben  Amorim’s near-weekly Manchester United press conferences, where he labeled himself and his squad as utter failures, shockingly failed to inspire a turnaround, landing them a historic low in the Premier League. Who’d have thought?

The standout moment came post-Brighton defeat in January, with the Red Devils’ boss declaring: “We might be the worst Manchester United side ever. I know you’re chasing headlines, but I’m saying this because we must face it to fix it.

Here’s your quote.

In 10 Premier League games, we’ve won three. Imagine how that feels for United fans—or for me. We’ve got a new coach losing more than the last one. I get it. I won’t change, no matter what. We can succeed, but first, we’ve got to weather this storm. I’m not delusional. Survival is the focus now.”

Lifetime Achievement Award 🏆

Closing out our mock ceremony, it’s time for the "lifetime achievement" nod, honoring those who’ve given everything for the game. This year, it goes to the ever-loyal Newcastle United and Crystal Palace fans. Their teams clinched the domestic cups, shattering decades of heartache and forging memories that’ll last forever.

As Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner so perfectly said: “Winning a trophy isn’t the ultimate goal. It’s about the joy we bring to our fans. They’re never a burden. When I speak of fans, I mean every single one. When I talk about the team, I mean everyone involved.

“Memories and emotions? They give me chills. Those moments last forever. Every fan has their own story—some filled with pain, others with joy. But on Saturday, every Palace fan stood proud. For a few hours or minutes, they escaped life’s troubles. That’s why football is the world’s greatest sport. It’s the perfect example of what it can and should be.”