Season Review
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Season Review 2020/21 Welcome The 2020/21 Premier League 10,000 fans were at the Etihad clubs have put into their additional funding to help clubs together with our partners, season was unpredictable and Stadium to watch Manchester Academies, is paying off. The survive. other sports and organisations competitive as the COVID-19 City being crowned worthy Premier League has become an Football brings together to stage a social media boycott, pandemic posed considerable champions. They produced an excellent mix of the best players communities from all highlighting the need for greater challenges, not only for football amazing run of 15 consecutive from around the world and backgrounds and it is this action against online hate. and wider sport, but society as League wins to transform quality homegrown talent. diversity that has made We look forward to the a whole. Despite everything, their season and to produce I was proud of the wide- the game stronger on the 2021/22 season with optimism. all our clubs produced an that level of consistency in a ranging work that clubs and pitch. The launch of our No Safety will, of course, continue entertaining and action-packed truncated campaign was hugely players continued to carry out Room For Racism Action Plan to be the most important factor, campaign. impressive. in their communities during the emphasises our commitment but I can’t wait for the vibrant There were difficult times, Across the season, we saw pandemic to ensure vulnerable to promote equality and atmosphere at matches that certainly during December nine clubs lead the table, more members of society were tackle discrimination to ensure only comes with full stadiums. and January when we had to than ever before, and there was cared for, along with continued diversity is reflected across the The Premier League will not fully postpone matches. The safety much to play for on a thrilling support for the NHS. game. be back until then. of everybody was the priority final day. To have three Premier The incredible efforts both Our fight against racism I hope you enjoy this review throughout the pandemic and League teams in the European on and off the pitch were and all forms of discrimination of a unique season as we reflect we adapted our protocols to finals, including an all-English all carried out despite the remains a priority. The online on the fantastic work of all our ensure we could complete the Champions League final, was significant financial impact of abuse we see players receive clubs. season as scheduled. This would fantastic. Congratulations to the pandemic. must stop and we will continue not have been possible without Chelsea for a deserved victory. Our clubs have lost to challenge social media the hard work of so many What was really pleasing was approximately £2 billion since companies on this issue. We people. that young English talent played March 2020, but we have support players, managers It was brilliant to see all clubs such a key role in the fortunes of ensured that our solidarity and their families through welcome supporters back for those teams. This shows how the payments to the whole of our proactive monitoring and Richard Masters the final two match rounds of Elite Player Performance Plan, football have been maintained, reporting systems and I was Chief Executive the season. I was delighted that and all the time and investment as well as contributing proud to see all clubs come Premier League The Football No Room For Racism The Fans The Communities The Premier League Gripping drama 06-07 Action against discrimination 14 Everyone’s game 18-19 A force for good 26-27 More than a game 34-35 Stories of the season 08-09 Tackling online hate 15 Safe return of fans 20-21 COVID-19 community support 28-29 Supporting the whole game 36-37 Developing talent 10-11 Creating positive change 16-17 Global broadcasting 22-23 Inspiring the next generation 30-31 Funding the future 38-39 Season awards 12-13 Digital fan engagement 24-25 Improving physical and mental health 32-33 2 Welcome 3 “ We will always remember this season for the way that we won. I am so proud to be the manager here and of this group of players. They are so special. To come through this season — with all the restrictions and difficulties we’ve faced — and show the consistency we have is remarkable.” Pep Guardiola Manager, Manchester City Exciting football A season of competitive and enthralling action presented unparalleled challenges, as the Premier League and clubs demonstrated a commitment to excellence in playing, coaching and safety standards 4 5 Gripping drama in Competitive and captivating football The 2020/21 Premier League they achieved their highest points season will live long in the memory total (66) since winning the title in a unique campaign 153 for numerous reasons, with the 2015/2016 as they finished fifth for Away wins in 2020/21, competitiveness on the pitch evident the second season running. The Clubs contended with continuing COVID-19 challenges to bring the first time in as a record nine different teams Foxes also won the FA Cup for the action-packed entertainment to a truncated 2020/21 season history it was higher topped the table and a number of first time in their history. than home wins (144) clubs took significant strides. in the top four tiers of West Ham United remained in the English football While Leicester City just missed out running for a top-four spot until late in on a UEFA Champions League spot, the campaign, with a sixth-place finish and qualification for the UEFA Europa League a considerable improvement having come 16th in 2019/20. Another club to have made significant strides is Aston Villa, who won seven more matches compared to the previous season. Newly promoted Leeds United, back in the Premier League for the first time in 16 years, finished with 59 points, the best tally by a promoted club since 2000/01. Needs subbing “A season and a title like no other” A triumph for homegrown talent After Manchester City were crowned matches remaining. “At the start of For the second time in three seasons, as winning the club’s Player of the champions for the third time in the every season, the Premier League the UEFA Champions League final Year award. James also continued his last four years, Pep Guardiola is the most important title for us. was contested between two English impressive progress as he featured hailed this as their toughest teams, with young homegrown talent in 32 Premier League matches. All Premier League triumph so far. “This is the one where you have to playing a key role for both Manchester three have become regulars in Gareth be there every three days, playing City and Chelsea throughout the Southgate’s England squad and will With the ongoing COVID-19 all your rivals home and away. Only season. be hoping to reproduce their strong pandemic leading to a truncated by being the very best, week in week club form for the Three Lions at this season, there were unparalleled out, can you win this competition. Phil Foden, Mason Mount and Reece summer’s UEFA EURO 2020. pressures on every club. It is a huge success.” James are great examples of players who have come through their club’s More than a quarter of the players in Whereas both of City’s previous Although 10,000 fans were back at ranks and established a place in the matchday squads of the Premier Pep Guardiola won his third title-winning seasons under the Etihad Stadium to see the Trophy world-class squads since the launch League clubs taking part in the Premier League title as Guardiola had seen them set off at lift on the final day of the campaign, of the Premier League’s Elite Player 2020/21 UEFA competition finals were Manchester City manager a breathtaking pace, their start to the remainder of the League season Performance Plan (EPPP) 10 years English, with an average age of 24.8. 2020/21 was relatively slow. Lying 13th was played without Manchester City ago. The long-term strategy aims to in the table at one point in November, supporters in attendance due to develop more and better homegrown they recorded 15 straight Premier COVID-19 restrictions, and Guardiola players through the Academy system, League victories between December had special words for supporters. ensuring players have access to a and March to take control of the title varied games programme and regular 13 race and never looked back. “It is so important to say a huge 42.3% high-level competition. Manchester City thank you to all our fans,” he said. Of starters in Match set a new record “This has been a season and a “In our toughest moments, we Round 37 were eligible Foden netted 17 goals in all for consecutive Premier League title like no other. couldn’t hear the crowd get to play for England. competitions in 2020/21, while Mount Premier League This was the hardest one,” said behind us as usual, but we know The season average played more minutes and more away victories Guardiola after his 31st trophy as they are with us everywhere we of 38.2% was the matches than any other Chelsea Phil Foden and Reece James competing at a in a season a manager was sealed with three go and that has lifted us.” highest for 12 seasons player across all competitions, as well Premier League Under-14 tournament in 2013/14 6 The Football 7 Stories of the season Big breakthrough Aston Villa enjoyed a much-improved 2020/21 saw protocols enhanced and introduced, while second season back in the Premier clubs remained focused on developing young talent League, with the club also placing 25 their faith in a number of Academy Years and 250 days graduates.