The 2017/18 Premier League season will be remembered for a host of reasons: Manchester City’s record-breaking dominance, a season of struggle for traditional powerhouses like Arsenal and Chelsea, and the rise of underdog clubs like Tottenham Hotspur. As the campaign unfolded, it offered a thrilling mixture of footballing excellence, individual brilliance, and the never-ending quest for glory that defines the English top-flight. The season marked a significant chapter in Premier League history, blending remarkable achievements and unforgettable moments.

Manchester City’s Record-Breaking Campaign

At the heart of the 2017/18 Premier League season was Manchester City, whose dominance under Pep Guardiola redefined what it meant to be a title contender. The team finished the season with a staggering 100 points, the first time a Premier League club had reached a century of points in a single season. Their attacking style, characterized by quick, possession-based football, left many teams in their wake.

City’s remarkable run included 32 wins, 4 draws, and just 2 losses. Their 106 goals scored were the most in the league, while their goal difference of +79 was also a record for the Premier League. The team’s fluidity, speed, and technical brilliance were on full display throughout the campaign. Players like Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva, Raheem Sterling, and Sergio Agüero flourished under Guardiola’s tactics, with De Bruyne emerging as one of the best playmakers in world football.

City’s dominance wasn’t confined to just their attacking play. Their defense, led by John Stones and Nicolás Otamendi, was solid, while goalkeeper Ederson’s shot-stopping abilities and distribution were integral to the team’s system. Guardiola’s ability to blend the right balance of youth and experience played a key role in their record-breaking performance. Manchester City’s 2017/18 season stands as one of the finest in Premier League history.

The Battle for the Top Four

While Manchester City was firmly in control of the title race, the battle for the top four was intense and unpredictable. The fight for Champions League qualification was fiercely contested between Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Tottenham Hotspur. United, managed by José Mourinho, finished in second place with 81 points, a comfortable 19 points behind City but still well ahead of their competitors. Despite their strong league position, United’s style of play was often criticized for being overly cautious and pragmatic, especially in comparison to City’s dazzling attacking football.

Liverpool, led by Jürgen Klopp, enjoyed a breakthrough season, finishing fourth with 75 points. The team’s high pressing game, speed on the counter, and attacking flair, spearheaded by the front three of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, and Sadio Mané, made them one of the most exciting teams in the Premier League. Salah, in particular, enjoyed a record-breaking individual campaign, scoring 32 goals, the most ever in a 38-game Premier League season.

Tottenham Hotspur, under Mauricio Pochettino, continued their impressive rise and finished third, just one point ahead of Liverpool. Despite not having the financial backing of some of their rivals, Spurs played an exhilarating brand of football, with Harry Kane again finishing as one of the top scorers in the league. Tottenham’s solid defense, bolstered by the likes of Hugo Lloris and Jan Vertonghen, and their fast, dynamic attacking play ensured they remained in the upper echelons of English football.

Chelsea, the defending champions, endured a difficult season. Antonio Conte’s side finished fifth, with 70 points, and failed to qualify for the Champions League. The team’s struggles were epitomized by inconsistency in both defense and attack, with key players like Eden Hazard and N’Golo Kanté often left to carry the team. Chelsea’s lack of squad depth, coupled with poor performances against lower-ranked opposition, led to their disappointing fifth-place finish.

The Relegation Battle

While the top of the table garnered most of the attention, the battle at the bottom was equally dramatic. Swansea City, Stoke City, and West Bromwich Albion were relegated, each failing to accumulate enough points to stay afloat in the Premier League.

Swansea City’s downfall was particularly frustrating for their fans, as they had shown resilience in staying up during the previous seasons. However, poor form throughout the campaign, particularly after the departure of manager Paul Clement, saw them drop into the relegation zone. Stoke City, managed by Mark Hughes, also struggled despite having a squad with some capable players. Their failure to address defensive frailties and lack of cohesion led to their 19th-place finish. West Bromwich Albion, despite a mid-season managerial change, was unable to recover and ended the season in 20th place.

The relegation battle was marked by the unpredictability of teams like Huddersfield Town and Brighton & Hove Albion. Both clubs, newly promoted to the Premier League, managed to survive in their first season in the top flight. Huddersfield, managed by David Wagner, showed impressive grit and resilience, finishing in 16th place. Brighton, under Chris Hughton, played disciplined football and earned enough points to stay in the league, finishing in 15th.

The Individual Brilliance

One of the defining features of the 2017/18 Premier League season was the emergence of individual stars. Mohamed Salah’s record-breaking campaign at Liverpool saw him capture the Premier League Golden Boot with 32 goals. His dazzling performances, cutting inside from the right wing and scoring goals from virtually every position on the pitch, made him one of the most exciting players in world football.

Salah wasn’t the only standout performer, though. Kevin De Bruyne’s ability to orchestrate Manchester City’s attacking play earned him the PFA Player of the Year award. His vision, passing range, and creativity were instrumental in City’s record-breaking campaign, and his contributions ensured he was widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in Europe.

Another key player was Harry Kane, who finished as the Premier League’s second-highest scorer with 30 goals. Despite struggling with injuries throughout the season, Kane’s clinical finishing and leadership were crucial in Tottenham’s third-place finish.

In defense, Manchester City’s centre-back partnership of John Stones and Nicolás Otamendi was one of the league’s most solid, while David De Gea, despite Manchester United’s shortcomings, was exceptional in goal, consistently saving his side from conceding.

The Managerial Landscape

The 2017/18 season also saw the continued evolution of several top managers in the Premier League. Pep Guardiola’s tactical innovations at Manchester City rewrote the blueprint for modern football, with a focus on possession, pressing, and positional play. José Mourinho’s pragmatic approach with Manchester United led to mixed results, while Klopp’s Liverpool impressed with their high-energy, counter-attacking football. Antonio Conte’s time at Chelsea seemed to be coming to an end, as his relationship with the board deteriorated over the course of the season.

Ultimately, Guardiola’s vision and influence on City’s play were the most significant, making them the dominant force in English football by the end of the season.

Conclusion: A Historic Campaign

The 2017/18 Premier League season was a historic one, defined by Manchester City’s record-breaking achievements and the remarkable performances of players like Mohamed Salah, Kevin De Bruyne, and Harry Kane. City’s dominance rewrote the record books, while the battle for the top four, the relegation battle, and the emergence of new footballing stars made it a season to remember. The Premier League continued to showcase its ability to entertain, surprise, and captivate football fans around the world, reinforcing its reputation as the best football league in the world.