It was a memorable campaign for Brighton and Aston Villa as both secured European football for next season, while Brentford and Fulham outperformed expectations to finish in the top half.
But it was ultimately a disappointing campaign for Tottenham Hotspur who, despite an outstanding season from talisman Harry Kane, missed out on European football and have a big summer ahead with a decision to make on who the club’s next manager will be.
In the next part of Hayters TV’s season reviews, we look at the clubs between sixth and tenth in the Premier League…
Brighton & Hove Albion
REVIEW OF 22/23: Never in Brighton fans’ wildest dreams did they think come the end of the season, after losing key players and their manager, that they would be playing European football next campaign. Following the departure of first-team head coach Graham Potter to Chelsea, then the January transfer of Leandro Trossard to Arsenal, the Seagulls have gone from strength to strength. Roberto de Zerbi has transformed the south coast outfit into a ruthless winning machine, with even Pep Guardiola lauding the Italian as ‘the best coach in the world.’
PLAYER OF THE SEASON: You could have gone for the entire squad considering what they have achieved, but midfielder Alexis Mac Allister gets the plaudits for a brilliant season. Ten goals and two assists in the Premier League is a welcome return for the Argentine, with his Brighton form earning him a starting berth for his country at the World Cup, which they went on to win. A rumoured £70m move to fellow Europa League side Liverpool beckoned for the combative midfielder.
FLOP OF THE SEASON: It’s hard to choose who has underperformed for Brighton, because everyone in the side has had a part to play in what was a magical campaign. Every signing has integrated seamlessly into the team and that is credit to the coaching staff as well as the players.
WHAT’S NEXT?: A first venture into Europe beckons for the Seagulls, but they will struggle to hold onto the most valuable assets, Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo come the start of the new campaign. Not to worry as Watford’s Joao Pedro, Borussia Dortmund’s Mamoud Dahoud and Liverpool’s James Milner are all already signed up for next season. Savvy.
Aston Villa
REVIEW OF 22/23: Another side that would have dreamed of Europe at the start of the season, Aston Villa have gone from the threat of relegation to European football in six months. Steven Gerrard had the Villans heading in a downwards spiral, with the ex-Rangers manager dismissed in early November. Former Arsenal boss Unai Emery was tasked with changing the trajectory and the Spaniard did so in emphatic fashion, with Villa set to play in the Europa Conference League next season.
PLAYER OF THE SEASON: Ollie Watkins was by far Villa’s most influential player of the league campaign, with 15 goals and six assists guiding his side to crucial wins throughout the season. Unlucky not to be called up by England again, playing under Emery and the lure of European football may have just kept Watkins at Villa Park for another season.
FLOP OF THE SEASON: It would be unfair to class Diego Carlos as a flop considering he was ruled out of action the moment he arrived in Birmingham after suffering an achilles injury against Everton, but Leander Dendoncker has disappointed since arriving from Wolves. The versatile Belgian moved across the Black Country for £15m, but managed only 24 games, with less than a quarter of those starts.
WHAT NEXT: Emery needs to make sure his key stars are tied down for what could be an extra heavy campaign, with Douglas Luiz, Emiliano Martinez all linked with moves away. Keeping hold of them as well as ensuring the core squad is strengthened will be the priority.
Tottenham
REVIEW OF 22/23: An extremely disappointing season for the north London club as they miss out on European football for next season. Three different managers, abet from within the same coaching staff meant a traumatic end to the campaign for Spurs, with heavy defeats coupled with a downward spiral in form when a Champions League berth looked well in their grasp. Poor in Europe, poor in domestic cups and poor in the league.
PLAYER OF THE SEASON: Who else but Harry Kane? Tottenham’s best player by a long shot who single handedly carried Spurs through the rut but it was not enough from the England captain to secure Europe. His 30 goals in the Premier League won his side 24 points, as well as surpassing Jimmy Greaves and Spurs’ all-time top goalscorer. Erling Haaland’s monster-like form has taken the gloss off what has been an amazing individual season for the forward.
FLOP OF THE SEASON: £60m and a return of one Premier League goal simply is not enough for a forward who scores regularly for Brazil in Richarlison. He accumulated more bookings for taking his shirt off than actual goals which sums up what was a terrible campaign. Definitely needs to come back stronger next season.
WHAT NEXT: The hunt for a new manager continues for Tottenham, as they edge closer to their own record of longest days between managers. Holding onto Kane will also be a priority as rival clubs sniff for his signature.
Brentford
REVIEW OF 22/23: A ‘what if’ campaign for Thomas Frank’s impressive Bees, as they narrowly miss out on European football. There was a point where the west London outfit were in for a chance of even Champions League but a poor couple of results put to bed that dream. Two wins against Manchester City and handing out a 4-0 thumbing to Manchester United are notable highlights for a side that avoid the dreaded ‘second season syndrome.’
PLAYER OF THE SEASON: His season may have ended premature after being banned for betting offences, but Ivan Toney has stood out brightest in a Brentford side that has gone from strength to strength. His 20 goals were better only by Harry Kane and Erling Haaland, with a well deserved England cap to boot.
FLOP OF THE SEASON: It will not be a season to remember for summer signing Mikel Damsgaard. No goals in the league and less than one thousand minutes played all campaign, the Danish international will hope to kick on and earn more playing time, especially with Toney unable to return until January.
WHAT NEXT: Like most teams, Frank and his coaching staff will need to build on an impressive season. With Toney’s ban, the uncertainty of goalkeeper David Raya’s future, and more potential departures, the upcoming transfer window will arguably be Brentford’s most important since becoming a Premier League club.
Fulham
REVIEW OF 22/23: It is fair to say Fulham probably exceeded most people’s expectations as to how their season was to pan out. Tipped for the drop, manager Marco Silva’s savvy purchases proved vital, with the signing of midfielder Joao Palhinha, the free transfer of ex-Chelsea winger Willian and the arrival of Bernd Leno from Arsenal giving the Cottagers the spine needed to compete. A top half finish above their west London rivals Chelsea will make this season even more sweet.
PLAYER OF THE SEASON: Aleksandar Mitrovic ended the season as top goalscorer, and Leno proved his worth with crucial saves, but Palhinha gets the nod. The combative midfielder put in a ruthless performance on his debut against Liverpool, and never looked back with Fulham’s form nose-diving when the Portuguese international was unavailable for selection.
FLOP OF THE SEASON: Dan James had yet another season of struggle in the English top flight, with the Welshman yet to kick on after he exploded on the scene after signing for Manchester United in 2019/20. Two goals in 28 appearances is not a welcome return, and the winger will need to assess his options for the coming campaign.
WHAT NEXT: Securing another season in the Premier League will be crucial for the Cottagers, with holding onto Mitrovic a priority. A potential push for Europe could be on the cards if Silva gets this transfer window right.
