Premier League 2021-22 review: the season’s best photos
Jonny Weeks
·12-min read
This season we’ve received more than 800,000 Premier League pictures from staff, agency and freelance photographers. Here are some of the most emotive, arresting and creative images which capture the narrative of another explosive top-flight campaign.
***
August
Christian Nørgaard of Brentford celebrates after scoring against Arsenal on the first night of the season.Photograph: Eddie Keogh/Getty Images
The Premier League season began in explosive style on 13 August as Brentford, celebrating their return to the top flight after a 74-year absence, beat Arsenal 2-0. But the standout result of the opening weekend was Tottenham’s victory over champions Manchester City two days later, courtesy of Son Heung-min’s goal. Indeed, Tottenham were the only team to win all three league games in August. Meanwhile, £100m man Jack Grealish bundled home his first goal for City, and Michail Antonio led West Ham’s early-season charge.
Crystal Palace’s Conor Gallagher scores during a 2-2 draw with West Ham.Photograph: David Klein/Reuters
Ferran Torres and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg tussle for the ball during the match between Tottenham and Manchester City at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on the opening weekend.Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool controls the ball against Norwich during a 3-0 win at Carrow Road.Photograph: Joe Toth/Shutterstock
West Ham United’s Michail Antonio celebrates scoring his side’s third goal against Leicester by raising a cardboard cutout of himself. The Hammers won 4-1.Photograph: Steven Paston/PA
Supporters of Chelsea fill a special safe standing area – albeit they weren’t permitted to stand for a few more months.Photograph: Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images
Manchester City’s Jack Grealish celebrates after scoring in a 5-0 drubbing of Norwich.Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Vicente Guaita, the Crystal Palace goalkeeper, punches clear during a 3-0 defeat at Chelsea.Photograph: Javier García/Shutterstock
***
September
Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring his second goal of the game during a 4-1 win over Newcastle at Old Trafford.Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA
Twelve years since his last performance for the Red Devils, Cristiano Ronaldo inevitably scored on his return to Manchester United as they swept aside Newcastle. Elsewhere, Tottenham suffered a crushing month with 3-0 defeats to Crystal Palace and Chelsea as well as a 3-1 reverse in the north London derby at Arsenal; Everton’s promising home form under Rafael Benítez continued with wins over Norwich and Burnley; and a 95th-minute equaliser by Neal Maupay for Brighton against bitter rivals Palace led to ugly scenes in the tunnel. The world of football also paid tribute to Jimmy Greaves, the former Tottenham, Chelsea, West Ham and England striker, who died aged 81.
Raúl Jiménez of Wolverhampton Wanderers attempts a rabona during their 2-0 defeat at home to Brentford.Photograph: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images
Mikel Arteta celebrates as Arsenal score their second against Tottenham.Photograph: Julian Finney/Getty Images
A fan invades the pitch after West Ham score late to win 2-1 at Elland Road.Photograph: Oli Scarff/AFP/Getty Images
Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Palace clashes with Japhet Tanganga of Tottenham during Palace’s 3-0 win at Selhurst Park.Photograph: Alex Morton/Getty Images
Antonio Rüdiger celebrates scoring as Chelsea beat Tottenham 3-0 away from home.Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian
***
October
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah was the star of October, winning both player of the month and goal of the month. The Egyptian produced a mesmeric strike during a 5-0 drubbing of Watford – he waltzed between three defenders, Cruyff-turned another and then swept his shot into the far corner. Salah then scored a 12-minute hat-trick against Manchester United, which weakened Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s hold on the manager’s job. Salah also netted against Manchester City at Anfield, in a game which ended 2-2 following Kevin De Bruyne’s deflected 81st-minute strike. Elsewhere, the footballing landscape shifted dramatically as struggling Newcastle suddenly became enormously rich after being controversially taken over by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund – much to the delight of most Magpies fans.
Conor Gallagher of Crystal Palace collides with Phil Foden of Manchester City during a game that Palace won 2-0.Photograph: Naomi Baker/Getty Images
Newcastle fans dressed in homage to the club’s new owners in the Gallowgate End celebrate as their team scores against Tottenham at St James’ Park. Tottenham won 3-2.Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian
***
November
Kurt Zouma of West Ham scores his side’s third goal against Liverpool at London Stadium. West Ham won 3-2.Photograph: Alex Pantling/Getty Images
Steven Gerrard took over at Aston Villa following Dean Smith’s departure in the wake of five straight defeats. Ollie Watkins and Tyrone Mings scored in the final six minutes as they dispatched Brighton to hand Gerrard victory in his first match in charge. Elsewhere, Antonio Conte took over from Nuno Espírito Santo at Spurs, but his first Premier League game at the helm was a 0-0 draw at Everton. The biggest result of the month came when West Ham dented Liverpool’s title aspirations – and moved above them in the table – with a 3-2 win at the London Stadium.
Divock Origi of Liverpool misses a late chance to equalise as Craig Dawson and Ben Johnson defend for West Ham at the London Stadium.Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian
Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard celebrates the opening goal scored by Ollie Watkins against Brighton. Villa won 2-0.Photograph: Nick Potts/PA
Norwich City’s goalkeeper Tim Krul in action against Southampton. Norwich won 2-1.Photograph: Chris Radburn/Reuters
***
December
A West Ham fan holds up a banner in homage to manager David Moyes at Turf Moor.Photograph: Stu Forster/Getty Images
Manchester City hit the afterburners in December, scoring 22 goals and opening up an eight-point gap at the top of the table courtesy of 10 straight wins. Their 7-0 drubbing of Leeds was the high point, but a rollercoaster 6-3 win over Leicester was more memorable as Leicester clawed their way back from 4-0 down to 4-3. Two days later, Brendan Rodgers’ side would defeat Liverpool 1-0 through Ademola Lookman’s goal. Elsewhere, West Ham beat Chelsea as David Moyes, dubbed “the Moyesiah”, continued to make progress with the Hammers, while Manchester United began life under interim manager Ralf Rangnick.
Fog inside the stadium during Wolves v Chelsea at Molineux. The match ended 0-0.Photograph: Clive Mason/Getty Images
Raphinha of Leeds United is challenged by Gabriel of Arsenal at Elland Road. The visitors won 4-1.Photograph: Stu Forster/Getty Images
Son Heung-min of Tottenham prepares to take a throw-in against Liverpool at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The match ended 2-2.Photograph: Julian Finney/Getty Images
Chelsea goalkeeper Édouard Mendy dives but cannot stop a cross from Arthur Masuaku. The goal gave West Ham a 3-2 victory.Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian
***
January
Everton manager Rafael Benítez looking understandably concerned at Carrow Road as Norwich win 2-1.Photograph: Joe Giddens/PA
Goals in the 95th and 97th minute from Steven Bergwijn earned Tottenham a miraculous win over Leicester at the King Power Stadium and triggered pandemonium in the stands. Elsewhere, Everton’s patience with Rafael Benítez ran out following defeat to Norwich, Newcastle signed Kieran Trippier from Atlético Madrid as they looked to buy their way out of the relegation zone, and when Brentford met Wolves their match was bizarrely interrupted as a drone flew overhead.
Aaron Ramsdale of Arsenal and Rúben Dias of Manchester City collide on New Year’s Day as City win 2-1 at the Emirates.Photograph: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images
Chelsea fans torment Manchester City with inflatable Champions League trophies at the Etihad Stadium. City had won the game 1-0.Photograph: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images
***
February
February was marked by two heartwarming moments. Christian Eriksen returned to professional football for the first time since his cardiac arrest while playing for Denmark at Euro 2020. The midfielder came on as a 52nd-minute substitute for Brentford against Newcastle. On that same day, Ukrainians Oleksandr Zinchenko and Vitalii Mykolenko shared an emotional embrace before the match between Manchester City and Everton following Russia’s invasion of their homeland. Fans and players around the Premier League showed support for their country.
Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard is challenged by Junior Firpo as Leeds lose 4-2 at Elland Road.Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian
New Brentford arrival Christian Eriksen pictured during the match against Newcastle.Photograph: Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Jeffrey Schlupp takes on Kristoffer Ajer during the Premier League match between Brentford and Crystal Palace at the Brentford Community Stadium.Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian
Brighton’s Marc Cucurella goes down against Aston Villa at the Amex Stadium in a game which the visitors won 2-0.Photograph: Dylan Martinez/Reuters
Leeds fans aim chants at Manchester United supporters at Elland Road.Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian
***
March
Tottenham’s Cristian Romero celebrates after Harry Maguire scores an own goal, though Manchester United still ended up winning 3-2.Photograph: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images
A lone ‘Just Stop Oil’ protestor interrupted the match between Everton and Newcastle by cable-tying himself to a goalpost – leading to the absurd footage of an overzealous steward using giant bolt cutters to free him. There was another amusing moment at Brentford v Norwich when Brandon Williams lashed out at an opponent, only to realise it was Christian Eriksen. Instead of berating him, Williams smiled and gave him a cuddle. And who could forget the grief West Ham’s Kurt Zouma received after footage emerged of him kicking a cat? Elsewhere, Liverpool closed the gap on leaders Manchester City to a single point, having been 12 points behind on New Year’s Day, courtesy of scintillating performances from Luis Díaz, while Sean Dyche’s Burnley ended the month four points adrift of safety, and Roman Abramovich signalled his intention to sell Chelsea following sanctions imposed by the UK government over the war in Ukraine.
Luis Díaz scores his side’s first goal but is poleaxed by the Brighton goalkeeper as Liverpool win 2-0.Photograph: Nick Potts/PA
A protester ties himself to the goalpost during the match between Everton and Newcastle at Goodison Park.Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty Images
Brandon Williams of Norwich City hugs Christian Eriksen of Brentford during their clash at Carrow Road. Brentford won 3-1.Photograph: Julian Finney/Getty Images
Chelsea fans watch the match under a banner celebrating Roman Abramovich during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge.Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian
Martin Dubravka makes a fingertip save from Mohammed Salisu as Newcastle win 2-1 at Southampton.Photograph: Robin Jones/Getty Images
Burnley manager Sean Dyche suffers as Chelsea win 4-0 at Turf Moor.Photograph: AFP/Getty Images
***
April
Pep Guardiola shares a joke with Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool during their match. The game ended 2-2 at the Etihad.Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty Images
Title rivals Manchester City and Liverpool went into their second clash of the season knowing that victory for either side would give them a critical points advantage with just seven games remaining. As it happened, they shared another 2-2 draw, with City in electric form in the first half. Much to public consternation, Burnley dumped Sean Dyche – and then they began to win. Elsewhere, Everton dropped into the relegation zone and Brighton, another team whose form had fallen off a cliff, halted a run of six consecutive league defeats, while Norwich’s long anticipated relegation from the top flight was confirmed by defeat at Villa.
Burnley’s players celebrate after Josh Brownhill scores their second goal in a 2-1 defeat of Watford at Vicarage Road.Photograph: Glyn Kirk/AFP/Getty Images
Leeds fans hold their trainers up in the air for a rendition of ‘Shoes off if you hate Man U’ during their match against Manchester City at Elland Road.Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters
Everton’s Richarlison battles against a massed defence at Anfield as Liverpool win 2-0.Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian
Brentford’s David Raya saves from Emmanuel Dennis as Watford lose 2-1.Photograph: Luke Walker/Getty Images
Newcastle’s Dan Burn tackles Mohamed Salah as Liverpool win 1-0.Photograph: Stu Forster/Getty Images
***
May
Manchester City fans invade the pitch after their side won the Premier League following the dramatic 3-2 victory over Aston Villa.Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA
As the Premier League season reached its climax, Everton and Leeds scrambled to safety at the expense of Burnley, while Tottenham leapfrogged Arsenal to claim fourth spot. But the biggest drama was shared between the top two sides, Manchester City and Liverpool, as they both looked destined to choke. The title rivals entered the final day separated by just a point, with City knowing that a win over visitors Aston Villa would seal the crown. In scarcely believable scenes, City fell two goals behind to Villa, while Liverpool struggled to overturn a dogged Wolves side at Anfield. Then, in the space of six inspired minutes, Guardiola’s side roared to a 3-2 victory to clinch their fourth title in five years.
West Ham’s Mark Noble gets emotional on the subs’ bench before the fixture against Manchester City, his final home game for the Hammers. The match ended 2-2.Photograph: Tony Obrien/Reuters
Tottenham’s Harry Kane sends Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale the wrong way to open the scoring from the penalty spot during a 3-0 win.Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian
Arsenal’s Gabriel tries to prevent a corner while battling with Newcastle’s Matt Targett. Newcastle win 2-0 to dent Arsenal’s top-four hopes.Photograph: Owen Humphreys/PA
Leeds United’s Raphinha celebrates survival in the stands with the fans after their Premier League match at Brentford.Photograph: John Walton/PA
Jack Cork of Burnley reacts with dismay at Turf Moor as Burnley’s defeat to Newcastle condemned them to relegation.Photograph: Gareth Copley/Getty Images
Fernandinho of Manchester City lifts the Premier League trophy.Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty Images
David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst will forever be remembered for their roles as Del Boy and Rodney Trotter in Only Fools and Horses, but the pair's relationship off-screen has been far from perfect.
Maxine Longmuir, 69, was thrilled when she won a £2,500 holiday to Portugal on the ITV quiz show, but claims she was left devastated when she was told she was unable to rebook it
The Queen might have dined on some of the finest food in the world - but she was still partial to the occasional takeaway, and would send a footman to collect it
A driver who had been parking in a neighbour's space for three years was left fuming after his car was towed away - and the whole thing was caught on camera.
Prince Harry was left upset by his father's decision to evict him and Meghan from Frogmore Cottage as they were under the impression that the property would always be available to them, according to a royal expert.
Prince Louis is celebrating his sixth birthday today, but fans of the Royal Family have been left disappointed as Kensington Palace has broken a tradition.
Yahoo Sport 
