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 the Premier League from an aboriginal signifier and ne'er looked similar slipping up arsenic they moved relentlessly portion others faltered. A superb archetypal play for caput manager Arne Slot, who made what galore regarded arsenic the intolerable task of succeeding Jurgen Klopp look truthful overmuch easier than it was.

Mohamed Salah was the inspiration, but this Liverpool squad had strength, prime and consistency successful each areas. They tin present adhd powerfulness from the eventual presumption of strength, with Bayer Leverkusen's superb Florian Wirtz perchance connected the mode successful a £125m British grounds deal.

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

Arsenal: 2nd

McNulty's pre-season prediction: 2nd

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

They had excessively galore draws successful the league. And portion injuries deed hard, Arsenal paid the terms for not addressing a large flaw past summertime by signing a striker. They indispensable bash it now.

What McNulty said successful August: "Arsenal indispensable surely beryllium successful the marketplace for a proven goalscorer earlier the adjacent of the transportation window, a constituent inactive 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 the Champions League play-off stage, past Crystal Palace successful the FA Cup final, provided further lows.

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

This volition person wounded Manchester City, contempt reaching the Champions League erstwhile again - truthful expect a superior effect from a wounded club.

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

Chelsea: 4th

McNulty's pre-season prediction: 7th

Enzo Maresca was keen to crook connected his and Chelsea's critics, and helium deserves recognition for taking them backmost into the Champions League connected the last time of the play portion looking guardant to a Europa Conference League last against Real Betis.

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

Chelsea looked rubric outsiders astir October but a dip successful signifier - particularly for the superb Cole Palmer - ended that talk. But it was a decent instrumentality for this play with the 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 volition hap successful the adjacent 20 minutes astatine Chelsea, fto unsocial what mightiness person happened by the clip May rolls around."

Newcastle United: 5th

McNulty's pre-season prediction: 9th

A superb play from manager Eddie Howe and his team. The Toon Army celebrated their archetypal home trophy for 70 years - and archetypal silverware for 55 years - with the deserved Carabao Cup triumph against Liverpool astatine Wembley and present they are backmost successful the Champions League.

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

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

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

Aston Villa: 6th

McNulty's pre-season prediction: 4th

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

Unai Emery inactive produces enactment that should beryllium the envy of clubs specified arsenic Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur. He volition proceed to request advancement nether Villa's ambitious owners.

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

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

Nottingham Forest: 7th

McNulty's pre-season prediction: 16th

The information determination was adjacent the specified speech of disappointment astatine missing retired connected the Champions League illustrates what a superb play Nottingham Forest person had nether Nuno Espirito Santo.

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

Striker Chris Wood had the play of his life, portion the coveted Morgan Gibbs-White was outstanding. Goalkeeper Matz Sels was apical class, and antiaircraft duo Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic provided the 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 unneurotic (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 with plentifulness of committedness nether 32-year-old caput manager Fabian Hurzeler, with hopes of Europe maintained until the last day, erstwhile they won 4-1 astatine Tottenham Hotspur, but yet missed out.

Brighton's proceed to beryllium enterprising and casual connected the oculus with their aggravated style, and this run was different illustration of however acold this well-run nine has come.

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

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

Bournemouth: 9th

McNulty's pre-season prediction: 14th

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

Bournemouth person a coveted manager successful Andoni Iraola. If they tin support him distant from different clubs' clutches, they person a level for progress. They volition request to regenerate defender Dean Huijsen, who is disconnected to Real Madrid successful a £50m deal, portion left-back Milos Kerkez is expected to marque a £40m determination to Liverpool.

Like Brighton, they usually person a program successful manus should different clubs travel calling for their players - and those 2 signings unsocial amusement wherefore the Cherries are present fixtures successful the apical flight.

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

Brentford: 10th

McNulty's pre-season prediction: 17th

What an outstanding occupation manager Thomas Frank continues to bash astatine Brentford. They finished successful the Premier League's apical 10 and the days erstwhile galore (guilty!) thought they would conflict to past successful the apical formation are long-gone.

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

Brentford are ever entertaining with those 2 outstanding forwards Bryan Mbuemo and Yoane Wissa. They hardly missed a bushed aft the nonaccomplishment of Ivan Toney.

What McNulty said successful August: "Manager Thomas Frank continues to bash 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 the FA Cup quarter-final nonaccomplishment astatine location to Crystal Palace was a large disappointment and somewhat symptomatic of a play wherever signifier could fluctuate from 1 crippled to the next.

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

What McNulty said successful August: "Much volition beryllium connected Silva himself but deliberation Fulham volition 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 the FA Cup, the archetypal large trophy successful their history. That was aft a nightmare start, with their archetypal triumph not coming until their ninth Premier League game.

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

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

What McNulty said successful August: "Glasner's all-out attacking attack has each accidental 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, ambitious caller American owners, took charge, and David Moyes returned to animate a superb revival.

Three successive league wins astatine the end, including victories astatine Fulham and Newcastle United, confirmed the improvement, but Moyes volition inactive oversee a large squad overhaul.

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

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

What McNulty said successful August: "They volition request luck with injuries to fulfil this forecast, arsenic good arsenic 1 oregon 2 much additions, but I bash not spot Everton struggling this season."

West Ham United: 14th

McNulty's pre-season prediction: 8th

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

Potter tin lone truly beryllium judged erstwhile helium has enactment his ain stamp connected the squad, with Jarrod Bowen the subordinate helium volition physique 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 wide successful the months ahead, and not conscionable due to the fact that helium won the Europa Conference League."

Manchester United: 15th

McNulty's pre-season prediction: 5th

Where bash you adjacent start?

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

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

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

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

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

Other than that...

What McNulty said successful August: "Erik 10 Hag is inactive successful a occupation aft winning the FA Cup past play but helium is surely realistic capable to cognize helium needs a bully commencement to halt speculation rearing its caput again, adjacent aft signing a caller contract."

Wolverhampton Wanderers: 16th

McNulty's pre-season prediction: 15th

Points past pints was the mantra of Wolves' manager Vitor Pereira arsenic helium talked astir sharing a portion with fans - and helium got much than his stock aft helium replaced sacked Gary O'Neil successful December erstwhile they were 2nd from bottom.

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

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

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

Tottenham Hotspur 17th

McNulty's pre-season prediction: 6th

Head oregon heart? This is what Tottenham president Daniel Levy volition beryllium weighing up arsenic helium decides the aboriginal of manager Ange Postecoglou.

The abysmal league run - an embarrassment to a nine of Tottenham's stature - volition present beryllium remembered for the glorious Europa League triumph successful Bilbao, the club's archetypal trophy since 2008.

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

On Premier League evidence, it's precise unlikely. Spurs mislaid 22 league games, doubly arsenic galore arsenic they won. But however tin you sack a manager who has won your archetypal trophy for 17 years and enactment you backmost successful the Champions League?

We volition 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 operation for it, but present I volition conscionable accidental it was a fiasco.

Performances were desperate. Fans were discontent. It was not the enactment 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 oregon not, they had each close to request amended than this connected and disconnected the pitch.

What McNulty said successful August: "Cooper and Leicester could defy the 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 instrumentality to the Premier League proved excessively overmuch for Ipswich nether Kieran McKenna, aft the superb accomplishment of 2 successive promotions. Liam Delap showed his prime but determination was not capable elsewhere. He volition leave, but McKenna mightiness deliberation helium has capable for different promotion adjacent season.

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

Southampton: 20th

McNulty's pre-season prediction: 18th

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

Southampton's lone accomplishment was getting capable points to guarantee they were not the Premier League's worst-ever team. A loyal enactment deserves better. Perhaps the Championship tin supply the accidental of a reset nether caller manager Will Still.

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