After an absolutely unforgettable Premier League campaign full of twists and turns, dramatic games, and standout performances that kept fans on the edge of their seats, we thought we’d take a look back at some of the most memorable moments from the 2023/24 season.
The Title Race
The season was defined by a thrilling three-horse title race involving Liverpool, Arsenal, and eventual champions Manchester City, who clinched their fourth consecutive Premier League title in a nail-biting finish, narrowly edging out Arsenal.
The battle between Pep Guardiola’s and his former assistant Mikel Arteta promises to be a key storyline going into the next Premier League season. Can the Gunners finally outdo the Unstoppables?
Zenseats will make sure you’re the first to find out when tickets to the upcoming Premier League 2024/25 season go on sale, sign up to our reminders on our Premier League Football Tickets homepage.
Son hands City the title in the closing minutes of their penultimate game
Perhaps the tensest moment of the season came in Manchester City’s clash with Tottenham Hotspur F.C. on Tuesday May 14th, which was all but a title decider for the champions.
City only needed 3 points from the game to be one win from the trophy on the final weekend, and all that stood in their way was a midweek game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
After a valiant display in the first half, things were looking up, and at 1-0 a draw with City seemed possible, keeping Arsenal fans biting their nails.
Enter Son Heung-min, who ended up one-on-one with substitute keeper Ortega late in the second half and to the horror of most of those in the stadium, missed the golden opportunity to equalise, when Ortega pulled one hell of a clutch save.
Safe to say Arsenal fans will be even less keen on the South Korean than ever after that one and an unforgettable moment goes down in City’s history.
Rashford silences the doubters at the Etihad
Amidst rumours of a lack of focus off the pitch, Marcus Rashford published an interview with Manchester United’s press team stating his dedication to the club and how much it meant to him. “If you back me, good. If you doubt me, even better.”
It looked a little brave at the time, especially ahead of a clash with Manchester City away from home. But just 8 minutes into the 192nd derby, Rashford scored what might go down as one of the best goals he ever puts in the back of the net. A screamer from 25 yards out in the top left corner left City stunned and needing a comeback in the second half to take the three points.
It’s no surprise Rashford’s been left out of Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad, given the other options available to him in Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham and the like, but this moment will leave any doubters afraid to say Rashford may never reach his potential.
Will he leave United this summer? Rumours were flying that Paris St. Germain were interested but have been dispelled. You wonder who would take him at the moment, especially when you imagine the price United would expect for a transfer.
Cole Palmer’s perfect hat-trick and 4 goal Haul
After making his way through Manchester City’s academy from the age of eight and onto the first-team bench, Cole Palmer seemed little more than another forgettable English midfielder/winger resigned to a life in the shadow of Guardiola’s star-men.
Few people saw him leaving City, although in hindsight his red blood – Palmer had been a United fan as a child – should probably have been a hint. Turns out he’d been asking to leave for two seasons, and boy was he right to do so in the end.
After winning City their first trophy of the season against Arsenal in the Community Shield in August, Palmer signed for a reported fee of £40m to Chelsea, and despite a 7-year contract, once again found himself on the bench. But by Christmas, he was their star player, as well as on penalties and corners, all in his first ever season as a regular starter.
Palmer’s defining moment of the season came against Everton in April, when he scored the quickest ever perfect hat-trick in Premier League history, putting away finishes with his right and left feet, his head before topping it off with a fourth in the second half in the shape of a penalty.
He continued this blinding form all season, scoring 22 goals, providing 11 assists and leading the team from the front on nearly everything. We’re sure many clubs will have two eyes firmly on Palmer at
Euro 2024 this summer as he’s already far exceeding Chelsea’s potential. Grab your tickets
here.
Luton Town draw 4-4 at St. James Park
It was an unforgettable season for Luton Town FC. Their attacking play and flair from Tahith Chong and Ross Barkley brought a hell of a lot more charisma to the Premier League than most newly promoted teams normally deliver. Tom Lockyer’s on-pitch collapse due to an atrial fibrilation made headlines too and meant they were without their captain for most of the season.
Their humble stadium with its unique entrances – after an emergency last-minute £10m expansion to meet requirements for the Premier League – ended up hosting some of the most exciting matches of the season. But perhaps their most memorable game was on a cold day in February away at Newcastle, which had drama written all over it following their 1-0 win at home in the reverse fixture in December.
The Hatters brought their trademark personality and charm to the game and after equalising twice and then doubling their lead, they were 4-2 up by the 62nd minute in an end to end thriller.
But two further goals from the Magpies made the match one of the most dramatic of the season, with Captain Trippier and former Leicester City man, Harvey Barnes scoring an equaliser with 17 minutes to go.
Aston Villa make it to the Champions League
One cannot forget the unstoppable rise of Aston Villa to the top four, who have been part of the mid-table furniture for as long as anyone can remember.
With star player, Ollie Watkins continuing to become one of the best strikers in the Premier League, if not the world, Villa were flying, churning out results to the glee of their fans who had been waiting a lifetime for this kind of season from the Claret and Blue.
After taking 3 points from the two titans, Manchester City and Arsenal in December, Unai Emery’s team continued to flourish – with no small thanks to killer new signings in the shape of Pau Torres and Moussa Diaby, and World Cup winner Martinez who kept many of the Premier League’s best teams at bay all season – Villa were neck and neck with Spurs going into the final stages of the run-in.
When it came to the crunch, Villa pulled through, squeezing a draw at home to Liverpool with two very late goals from Jhon Durán. That’ll surely go down as the moment they sealed their spot in the Champions League for 2023/24.
It seems unlikely that Villa will be challenging for the title any time soon, but after tough seasons for Spurs, Manchester United, Newcastle United and Chelsea, it feels like change is in the air.
Looking Ahead
As we look forward to the 2024/25 season, the excitement and unpredictability of the Premier League are set to continue. With teams like Arsenal and Liverpool eager to dethrone Manchester City and clubs like Aston Villa on the rise, fans can expect another thrilling campaign. Stay tuned and make sure to catch all the action as it unfolds!
