Arsene Wenger is planning a £100million spending spree after signing his Arsenal contract, while Frank Lampard looks likely to leave Chelsea.
Chelsea's Frank Lampard could make a big money move to the MLS, while Michael Carrick may be heading for the Manchester United exit door.
Ian Watson wraps up the 2014 TEAMtalk Soccers ceremony by handing out the dreaded award for the Failure of the Season.
Despite the numerous contenders among those who had a season to forget, when your votes were counted up, the Failure of the Season award was won by a landslide.
QPR and the Venkys, owners of Blackburn Rovers, shuffled off with the award in previous years, but our new winner more than matched their incompetence.
Without further ado, here are the five biggest flops:
5. Joe Kinnear
Kinnear began his role as director of football at Newcastle by blasting the club's fans and getting the players' names wrong in a wonderfully bizarre interview on national radio.
Perhaps he really can "open the door to any manager in the world". Maybe he mislaid his rolodex. But we know now for certain that he left in February having failed to make a single permanent signing in two transfer windows.
The 67-year-old was brought in to supposedly bolster a recruitment team that had been doing great work, especially in the French market. Indeed, Kinnear continued to bolster those links across the channel by sending their best player, Yohan Cabaye, to PSG for a cut-price fee without bothering about a replacement.
It was unclear what Kinnear's remit was when he was appointed by Mike Ashley, with talk he was put in place to unsettle Alan Pardew. Whatever his mission was, Kinnear failed.
4. Jose Mourinho
The Chelsea manager labelled Arsene Wenger "a specialist in failure" in February but, come May, it was the Arsenal boss who got his hands on silverware as the 'Special One' finished potless for the second successive season.
Mourinho labelled himself 'the Happy One' after rejoining the Blues but the Portuguese's mood turned after Christmas, culminating in his jibe at Wenger.
The manager consistently sought to play down expectations of his side, calling them the "little horse" in the title race, but the quality, experience and depth in his squad means the Blues should have pushed Manchester City and Liverpool far closer in the title race.
They surely would have had Mourinho addressed his side's obvious flaw: the lack of a top class striker. The boss will almost certainly focus much of his energy and resources on righting that wrong, but it is at least half a season too late.
Mourinho masterminded victories at City and Liverpool, but their failure to breakdown the likes of Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, Norwich and West Ham allowed their title rivals to pull clear as the finish line approached.
3. Fulham
Hopes were high at Fulham last summer when billionaire Shahid Khan took over and internationals Maarten Stekelenburg, Scott Parker and Fernando Amorebieta arrived at Craven Cottage. One year and two managerial changes later, the Cottagers find themselves in the Championship.
Khan first panicked in December after five straight defeats which left the club in 18th place brought Martin Jol's two-and-a-half-year reign to an end.
Recently-appointed first-team coach Rene Meulensteen was given the manager's job and the January transfer window to shape the squad as he wished.
Meulensteen identified club-record signing Kostas Mitroglou as the man to fire his side up the table, though, as it turned out, that choice alone could be seen by some as grounds for dismissal, which came only a fortnight after he was allowed by Khan to sign five players.
Felix Magath, an experienced manager but a Premier League rookie, was instead chosen as the man to lead Fulham's survival fight; all the while Meulensteen, Ray Wilkins and Alan Curbishley were left waiting as Fulham made a farce of an already unsavoury situation.
Fulham briefly rallied under Magath but they ultimately succumbed to relegation, finishing in 19th place, four points from safety. Mitroglou failed to score a single goal, while their defence leaked the second-highest number of goals conceded in Premier League history.
2. Vincent Tan
The owner wants things done his way at Cardiff, and after the money he has injected into the club, it is hard to argue against that urge. But Tan has destabilised the club at almost every opportunity during a season which started promisingly but ended in relegation straight back to the Championship.
The campaign began with the backdrop of a row between Tan and the players over unpaid bonuses the previous season. When that matter was settled, Tan turned his attentions to head of recruitment Iain Moody, who was suspended apparently without explanation and was replaced by a 23-year-old friend of his son who had no previous football experience.
Throughout these dramas, Malky Mackay remained the unifying figure for fans, who saw plenty of reasons for optimism, as the Bluebirds held their own in their debut Premier League campaign. The manager, though, was next in Tan's sights, with the Scot told to resign or be sacked in December. Mackay resisted and eventually he was axed by Tan, with the club in 16th place in the table.
Under Tan's man, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Cardiff won only three more games all season, with new recruits Kenwyne Jones, Magnus Eikrem, Cala, Jo Inge Berget, Fabio and Wilfried Zaha making little impact as they floundered to a 19th-place finish.
1. Manchester United
David Moyes' reputation is in tatters after a disastrous attempt at managing Manchester United, but few individuals at Old Trafford can escape blame for an appalling defence of their Premier League title.
Replacing Sir Alex Ferguson was almost an impossible job, but the club - Ferguson included - got it spectacularly wrong. Moyes may be cut from the same cloth as his predecessor in that he is Scottish and a grafter, but that is where the similarities end.
In a summer where serial winners such as Jose Mourinho, Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti were all choosing clubs, United opted for a trophyless, Champions League rookie to step into the shoes of the greatest manager in recent history.
Moyes supposedly understood the 'United way' but he did not have the credentials, and it showed as the Red Devils broke all the wrong records.
Moyes was by no means the only man responsible for a catastrophic failure, which began last summer. Ed Woodward should take the blame for a shambolic transfer window, which delivered only the hopeless Marouane Fellaini and set the tone for the season.
The players Moyes inherited must also reflect on their contribution, with only David De Gea and youngster Adnan Januzaj able to look back at their performances with any pride. It seems the new manager lost the dressing room early on, but the senior stars within those four walls appeared only too happy to cut him adrift.
Ultimately, Moyes struggled to shake the mind-set which served him so well a s manager of plucky Everton. His sound bites failed to inspire anyone, especially the United fans, who were used to more positivity and defiance than the manager was willing to offer. The tactics also wore down the supporters, certainly more so than the opposition.
United got his appointment wrong and they made a farce of Moyes's sacking too, with the club leaking his fate to the press almost 24 hours before finally put the beleaguered boss out of his misery. Hardly the 'United way' but very much fitting after a shambolic season.
Chelsea have hijacked Manchester City's move for Roma centre-back Mehdi Benatia and Newcastle are keen on Swansea striker Wilfried Bony.
Thursday 29th May 2014 12:27
Print Article 
Email Article Financial analyst David Buik says Malcolm Glazer should take some credit for Manchester United's success since his takeover.
The 85-year-old, who died on Wednesday after a long illness, was at the centre of a controversial £790m deal to buy the club in 2005.
Since then, United have won five Premier League titles, three League Cups and a Champions League, feats they have achieved despite the increased spending power at Manchester City and the ongoing investment at Chelsea.
Buik believes Glazer, who has reportedly never visited Old Trafford, should take some credit for the role he has played during that period.
"However unpopular he may have been, and the fans weren't particularly enamoured of him, but he has a great share in the team's success," he told Sky Sports News.
"He stumped up the money that was required to make that quantum leap forward, and that, no matter whether you agree with how the club was run or not, can never be taken away from him."
The Glazers' takeover of the club was unpopular with the vast majority of United supporters, some of whom formed a phoenix club, FC United of Manchester, who currently play in the Northern Premier League.
Buik does not believe the passing of Malcolm Glazer will affect the running of the club, especially as his sons Joel and Avram have been acting as co-chairmen over the past nine years, but that the pressure to maintain revenues will continue.
"It won't affect the day-to-day running of the club at all," he said. "It's in better shape now than at the time of the purchase. It was £700m in debt then and now it's £385m.
"The business interests of the sons in Tampa are considerable and also have debts so it is utterly important that Manchester United generates income.
"They removed David Moyes because he wasn't delivering and the club were going to be £50m light in terms of their income.
"There is no emotion in my humble opinion. The Glazer brothers love their sport but this is a business."
Buik also feels there is no chance of the Glazers being bought out, but that they must ensure the club does not take any more drops in revenue such as the loss of around £50m they will face as a result of their failure to qualify for the Champions League.
"Indirectly, the banks actually own Manchester United because if these debts are not serviced then there will be recourse," he said.
"I'm not suggesting there are problems because everything seems okay but you wouldn't want income to drop any further."
Roberto Soldado could be set to replace Diego Costa at Atletico Madrid, while Manchester United remain keen on defender Mats Hummels.
Thursday 29th May 2014 11:05
Print Article Email Article Southampton chairman Ralph Krueger says the club have no need to offload the likes of Luke Shaw and Adam Lallana this summer.
It has been speculated that bids have already been tabled for the most highly-prized assets at St Mary's.
Liverpool and Tottenham have both been linked with Lallana, while Chelsea consider his England team-mate Shaw to be an ideal long-term replacement for Ashley Cole at left-back. Manchester United are also said to remain keen.
Krueger, though, says sales will only be sanctioned if the deals on offer are beneficial to all concerned and will help Southampton - who are looking to appoint a managerial successor to Spurs-bound Mauricio Pochettino - to strengthen in the long run.
He told the Daily Echo: "First of all, it's very clear that we are in control. We are in control of all the player transfers. All the top players are under long term contracts.
"Any transfers that take place will be under our terms. We will decide the terms to potential transfers in and out of the club.
"We will involve the manager. That is important for everybody to know. That's why we have been able to not agree to any transfers to date, because we have control of the situation, and anybody who is saying anything else doesn't understand that we are in a strong position with the Saints."
Krueger added: "We, after many months now, are extremely pleased with the foundation that we have here. We said from the start that we have to roll up our sleeves and work very hard and we have been doing that behind the scenes. There are some things that aren't really sexy for the fans but are really important for the health and stability of the club.
"We have an outstanding new chief commercial officer in Martin Semmens, the owner and founder of Elvis Communications in London, who's building our commercial department.
"We have Kate Terry, the new head of marketing, moving to us from Apple in London and a new chief financial officer coming.
"Our executive board level has been rebuilt with Les (Reed) heading up the sports, Gareth (Rogers) as the CEO and with these two new appointments we have an unbelievable new and strong foundation built on the people we already found here. There's a lot of good things happening in the club."
Krueger, who has claimed that Southampton have been 'inundated' with offers for their vacant coaching post, also says that whoever takes over at the helm will have license to spend in the upcoming transfer window.
He said: "There will definitely be some changes to the squad and we have very exciting players tracked and, as much as we would like to give you a shortlist on managers, very soon we like to give you a shortlist on players.
"We would like to underline again there is interest from all over Europe, in England and outside of England, with players who have shown interest in coming to Southampton, who want to play here, who see the opportunity of growth through the club.
"In the end, no one person is bigger than the club. This club is really a place to grow.
"You look at the new academy and the first team facilities that are being built and the pitches and the rehab centre and the training centre and the sports science and everything happening out there in the New Forest and you can be nothing but excited about coming to this club and knowing that you will get better.
"If it means that the odd player will leave as a result of the good process and the exciting situation we are in, or the manager leaves as ours did, then that is all a compliment to the work we are doing. When people want your people you are doing something right. People have an eye on the good things or the strengths of Southampton Football Club."
Real Madrid want Sergio Aguero and are prepared to offer £60m, Samuel Eto'o fancies a move to Arsenal and Chelsea join the race for Toni Kroos.
Chelsea have stepped up their bid to sign Atletico Madrid's Filipe Luis and Sir Alex Ferguson wanted Carlo Ancelotti to replace him at United.
New Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino wants Southampton captain Adam Lallana, while Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea are all eyeing QPR's Loic Remy.
Joe Urquhart continues the 2014 TEAMtalk Soccers ceremony by handing out the award for the Game of the Season.
The 2013-14 season was one of the most exhilarating and entertaining in recent memory.
The Premier League title race once again went to the final day, the Capital One Cup final swung one way and then another, and the FA Cup final went to extra-time after the underdog looked set to slay the giant.
Here are the games that you, our loyal readers, voted the most memorable of the past nine months.
5. Manchester City 4 Manchester United 1, September 2013:
At number five is the Manchester derby from September. This was arguably David Moyes' first real test as United boss - and oh how he failed.
Having previously lost 1-0 to Liverpool in the weeks before, as well as drawing 0-0 against Chelsea at Old Trafford, the United faithful were keen for a positive result against their rather loud 'noisy neighbours'.
However, Sergio Aguero made easy pickings of the ageing United backline to put City ahead on 16 minutes with a magnificence volley, an early blow that must have had even the most hardened United fan reeling.
So, when Yaya Toure put City 2-0 up on the stroke of half-time, you couldn't help feel that this was the changing of the guard in Manchester.
Sixty-one seconds into the second half maybe Moyes himself realised this too, Aguero again drifting into the box unmarked to ease the ball past a frantic David de Gea to put the hosts three goals to the good.
The rout was completed just three minutes later as Samir Nasri slotted home from six yards out. City didn't just have United on the ropes; they had them on the deck with the referee counting to 10.
A late but brilliant free-kick from Wayne Rooney gave United little consolation as they had been well and truly outplayed by their City rivals, from start to finish City outclassed Moyes' side in every aspect.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing - we now know the struggles that United faced under Moyes in the coming months - but this particular game, more than any, epitomised the Scot's time at Old Trafford.
Lots of misery followed by the slight glimmer of hope that something, maybe something could be done to right the wrongs in the red half of Manchester.
4. Arsenal 3-2 Hull City, May 2014:
Saturday, May 17, Wembley Stadium. The day Arsenal fans had been dreaming of. Nine long years since their 2005 FA Cup triumph over old foes Manchester United.
With haunting memories of the 2011 League Cup final against Birmingham City, Arsenal fans must have been wary the threat a strong Hull City side possessed. And when James Chester reacted quickly to divert Tom Huddlestone's wayward volley into the Arsenal goal after four minutes Gunners fans must have been thinking the worst.
If Arsenal fans were thinking the worst then, lord knows what they made of what happened four minutes later as Curtis Davies was given the freedom of the Arsenal box to place the ball calmly past the onlooking Lukasz Fabianski.
Arsenal were in deep trouble and after only just eight minutes. The hoodoo had seemingly struck again - and this was supposed to be their year, the year they finally reclaimed some long-awaited silverware which many Arsenal fans young and old had been drooling over.
However, Santi Cazorla's stunning set-piece after 17 minutes sparked a historic comeback for the north London club at the home of English football. Cazorla's delightful curling strike evaded the scrambling Alan McGregor and gave Arsenal a glimmer of hope. Maybe, after all, there was something in the Wembley air for Arsenal.
Arsenal probed and pressured Hull City's defence but the long-awaited equaliser did not come until 19 minutes from time from an unlikely source as Laurent Koscielny tapped home from close range to haul his side level.
Full-time came and went with the two sides locked at 2-2 apiece, and extra-time was a nervy affair with neither side wanting to make that fatal error that could cost their team dearly.
Finally, and fittingly, the comeback was completed by arguably Arsenal's player of the season, Aaron Ramsey, as he rifled home a well-struck shot from a brilliant Olivier Giroud back heel - sparking scenes of delirium amongst the Arsenal fans. They had finally done it.
3. Real Madrid 3 Barcelona 4, March 2014:
Often, El Clasico is...well, shall we say, not exactly a classic, but this time boy did it deliver.
In recent times this fixture has had a bad rap for the play-acting, feigning injury etc. but these two Spanish giants don't half produce a good game when they try and play football.
An early strike from Andreas Ineista after seven minutes brought the game to life. This season Barcelona have been, well, very un-Barcelona like. So perhaps it was a slight shock when the Catalans struck first.
However, Real Madrid were not about to lie down in their own backyard after 17 straight wins at the Bernabeu, and a quick-fire double from Karim Benzema after 24 minutes turned the game on its head.
A game that means so much to both sides, it was unusually open, and with just three minutes of the first half remaining Lionel Messi announced himself to the game, drawing Barcelona level heading into the break.
With the game finely poised heading into the second half it didn't take long for Cristiano Ronaldo to get in on the action, Dani Alves' clumsy challenge on Ronaldo himself was deemed just inside the area, although television replays suggested otherwise, and Ronaldo slotted home the resulting penalty kick.
Ten minutes later Neymar broke through the Madrid back line at pace before a slight (very slight, if non-existent) touch from Galacticos skipper Sergio Ramos resulted in a penalty and sending off for the centre-half. Messi did the honours from the spot.
Seven minutes from time Messi sealed his hat-trick and the Barcelona win from the spot again after Ineista was caught in a Xabi Alonso and Daniel Carvajal sandwich after some quick footwork.
Messi wheeled away in delight as he became the second highest scorer in La Liga history, moving ahead of former Real striker Hugo Sanchez onto 236 goals.
The Argentine also became the all-time top scorer in Clasicos with 21 goals, surpassing Real legend Alfredo Di Stefano.
2. Crystal Palace 3 Liverpool 3, May 2014:
Liverpool were three goals to the good with 11 minutes to play at Selhurst Park. You would be mad to bet against a team from that position; even the most hardened gambler would have ticked this one off his slip.
As it transpired it could be an 11 minutes that could haunt Brendan Rodgers, Steven Gerrard and co. for the rest of their lives. Was this the Premier League title that got away?
Chelsea ended Liverpool's 11-game winning run the previous week and put the title back into Manchester City open palms, but it was Crystal Palace who turned those open palms into a clenched fist.
An unmarked Joe Allen nodded Liverpool in front inside 20 minutes as normal service was resumed.
The Reds remained mainly in control, but it wasn't until Daniel Sturridge's second half strike that Liverpool doubled their lead. However, when Raheem Sterling fed Luis Suarez the ball just three minutes later, surely the points were heading back up to Merseyside as the Uruguayan poked the ball past the flailing Crystal Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni.
Damien Delaney gave the hosts a glimmer of hope with 11 minutes remaining after his deflected shot flew past Simon Mignolet in the Liverpool goal.
The Crystal Palace ultras couldn't quite believe their luck when three minutes later Dwight Gayle cleverly turned a Yannick Bolasie cross into the Liverpool goal. It was well and truly game on.
The comeback was complete seven minutes later and with just two minutes remaining on the clock. It was the goal that broke Liverpool hearts, reduced Luis Suarez to tears and caused widespread depression across the red half of Liverpool. It was Gayle again that calmly slotted the ball home from 10 yards out to all but end Liverpool's title dream.
A Tony Pulis masterclass which is worthy of second place in this year's Game of the Season awards.
1. Liverpool 3 Manchester City 2, April 2014:
"This does not f**king slip now"...well Steven, you may not have won the Premier League title this season but you have won our coveted Game of the Season award.
As Liverpool and Manchester City took to the Anfield turf to choruses of 'You'll Never Walk Alone', nobody could have predicted the football that was about to unfold in front of our very eyes.
Liverpool made an exhilarating start to the game and were rewarded for their efforts in the sixth minute after Luis Suarez played a phenomenal ball to Raheem Sterling, who showed the experience of a veteran striker to calmly place the ball past Joe Hart in the Manchester City goal.
Anfield erupted when 18 minutes later Martin Skrtel peeled off the front post to guide a Steven Gerrard corner cleverly into the net. Liverpool were rampant.
Manuel Pellegrini made a shrewd change just after half-time, however, bringing James Milner on for the non-existent Jesus Navas.
Milner made his presence felt just seven minutes after coming off the bench as a quick one-two with Yaya Toure saw the England International break through the Liverpool defence to feed the ball back across to David Silva, who slotted home.
It was that man Silva again who drew City level five minutes later - although Glen Johnson was credited with the own goal, it was Silva's clever play that led to the big spenders drawing level.
For all the money in the world it looked like City had Liverpool found out, but it was the hosts who found a second wind, and finally, with twelve minutes to go Philipe Countinho pounced on a Vincent Kompany sliced clearance to put Liverpool back ahead on the field and two points clear in the title race.
Even a late red card for Jordan Hendersen couldn't do anything to dampen the Liverpool spirits as the title swayed towards Merseyside.
As it turned out this season was the one that got away for Liverpool, but they have no doubt produced some brilliant attacking football this season, thrilling hard core supporters and neutrals alike.
A five-goal thriller that produced the highest level of football is a worthy winner of the 2014 Game of the Season.
Congratulations to Liverpool and Manchester City, you have our blessing to produce a game of this standard again.
Chelsea have stepped up their bid to sign Atletico Madrid's Filipe Luis and Sir Alex Ferguson wanted Carlo Ancelotti to replace him at United.
New Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino wants Southampton captain Adam Lallana, while Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea are all eyeing QPR's Loic Remy.
Joe Urquhart continues the 2014 TEAMtalk Soccers ceremony by handing out the award for the Game of the Season.
The 2013-14 season was one of the most exhilarating and entertaining in recent memory.
The Premier League title race once again went to the final day, the Capital One Cup final swung one way and then another, and the FA Cup final went to extra-time after the underdog looked set to slay the giant.
Here are the games that you, our loyal readers, voted the most memorable of the past nine months.
5. Manchester City 4 Manchester United 1, September 2013:
At number five is the Manchester derby from September. This was arguably David Moyes' first real test as United boss - and oh how he failed.
Having previously lost 1-0 to Liverpool in the weeks before, as well as drawing 0-0 against Chelsea at Old Trafford, the United faithful were keen for a positive result against their rather loud 'noisy neighbours'.
However, Sergio Aguero made easy pickings of the ageing United backline to put City ahead on 16 minutes with a magnificence volley, an early blow that must have had even the most hardened United fan reeling.
So, when Yaya Toure put City 2-0 up on the stroke of half-time, you couldn't help feel that this was the changing of the guard in Manchester.
Sixty-one seconds into the second half maybe Moyes himself realised this too, Aguero again drifting into the box unmarked to ease the ball past a frantic David de Gea to put the hosts three goals to the good.
The rout was completed just three minutes later as Samir Nasri slotted home from six yards out. City didn't just have United on the ropes; they had them on the deck with the referee counting to 10.
A late but brilliant free-kick from Wayne Rooney gave United little consolation as they had been well and truly outplayed by their City rivals, from start to finish City outclassed Moyes' side in every aspect.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing - we now know the struggles that United faced under Moyes in the coming months - but this particular game, more than any, epitomised the Scot's time at Old Trafford.
Lots of misery followed by the slight glimmer of hope that something, maybe something could be done to right the wrongs in the red half of Manchester.
4. Arsenal 3-2 Hull City, May 2014:
Saturday, May 17, Wembley Stadium. The day Arsenal fans had been dreaming of. Nine long years since their 2005 FA Cup triumph over old foes Manchester United.
With haunting memories of the 2011 League Cup final against Birmingham City, Arsenal fans must have been wary the threat a strong Hull City side possessed. And when James Chester reacted quickly to divert Tom Huddlestone's wayward volley into the Arsenal goal after four minutes Gunners fans must have been thinking the worst.
If Arsenal fans were thinking the worst then, lord knows what they made of what happened four minutes later as Curtis Davies was given the freedom of the Arsenal box to place the ball calmly past the onlooking Lukasz Fabianski.
Arsenal were in deep trouble and after only just eight minutes. The hoodoo had seemingly struck again - and this was supposed to be their year, the year they finally reclaimed some long-awaited silverware which many Arsenal fans young and old had been drooling over.
However, Santi Cazorla's stunning set-piece after 17 minutes sparked a historic comeback for the north London club at the home of English football. Cazorla's delightful curling strike evaded the scrambling Alan McGregor and gave Arsenal a glimmer of hope. Maybe, after all, there was something in the Wembley air for Arsenal.
Arsenal probed and pressured Hull City's defence but the long-awaited equaliser did not come until 19 minutes from time from an unlikely source as Laurent Koscielny tapped home from close range to haul his side level.
Full-time came and went with the two sides locked at 2-2 apiece, and extra-time was a nervy affair with neither side wanting to make that fatal error that could cost their team dearly.
Finally, and fittingly, the comeback was completed by arguably Arsenal's player of the season, Aaron Ramsey, as he rifled home a well-struck shot from a brilliant Olivier Giroud back heel - sparking scenes of delirium amongst the Arsenal fans. They had finally done it.
3. Real Madrid 3 Barcelona 4, March 2014:
Often, El Clasico is...well, shall we say, not exactly a classic, but this time boy did it deliver.
In recent times this fixture has had a bad rap for the play-acting, feigning injury etc. but these two Spanish giants don't half produce a good game when they try and play football.
An early strike from Andreas Ineista after seven minutes brought the game to life. This season Barcelona have been, well, very un-Barcelona like. So perhaps it was a slight shock when the Catalans struck first.
However, Real Madrid were not about to lie down in their own backyard after 17 straight wins at the Bernabeu, and a quick-fire double from Karim Benzema after 24 minutes turned the game on its head.
A game that means so much to both sides, it was unusually open, and with just three minutes of the first half remaining Lionel Messi announced himself to the game, drawing Barcelona level heading into the break.
With the game finely poised heading into the second half it didn't take long for Cristiano Ronaldo to get in on the action, Dani Alves' clumsy challenge on Ronaldo himself was deemed just inside the area, although television replays suggested otherwise, and Ronaldo slotted home the resulting penalty kick.
Ten minutes later Neymar broke through the Madrid back line at pace before a slight (very slight, if non-existent) touch from Galacticos skipper Sergio Ramos resulted in a penalty and sending off for the centre-half. Messi did the honours from the spot.
Seven minutes from time Messi sealed his hat-trick and the Barcelona win from the spot again after Ineista was caught in a Xabi Alonso and Daniel Carvajal sandwich after some quick footwork.
Messi wheeled away in delight as he became the second highest scorer in La Liga history, moving ahead of former Real striker Hugo Sanchez onto 236 goals.
The Argentine also became the all-time top scorer in Clasicos with 21 goals, surpassing Real legend Alfredo Di Stefano.
2. Crystal Palace 3 Liverpool 3, May 2014:
Liverpool were three goals to the good with 11 minutes to play at Selhurst Park. You would be mad to bet against a team from that position; even the most hardened gambler would have ticked this one off his slip.
As it transpired it could be an 11 minutes that could haunt Brendan Rodgers, Steven Gerrard and co. for the rest of their lives. Was this the Premier League title that got away?
Chelsea ended Liverpool's 11-game winning run the previous week and put the title back into Manchester City open palms, but it was Crystal Palace who turned those open palms into a clenched fist.
An unmarked Joe Allen nodded Liverpool in front inside 20 minutes as normal service was resumed.
The Reds remained mainly in control, but it wasn't until Daniel Sturridge's second half strike that Liverpool doubled their lead. However, when Raheem Sterling fed Luis Suarez the ball just three minutes later, surely the points were heading back up to Merseyside as the Uruguayan poked the ball past the flailing Crystal Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni.
Damien Delaney gave the hosts a glimmer of hope with 11 minutes remaining after his deflected shot flew past Simon Mignolet in the Liverpool goal.
The Crystal Palace ultras couldn't quite believe their luck when three minutes later Dwight Gayle cleverly turned a Yannick Bolasie cross into the Liverpool goal. It was well and truly game on.
The comeback was complete seven minutes later and with just two minutes remaining on the clock. It was the goal that broke Liverpool hearts, reduced Luis Suarez to tears and caused widespread depression across the red half of Liverpool. It was Gayle again that calmly slotted the ball home from 10 yards out to all but end Liverpool's title dream.
A Tony Pulis masterclass which is worthy of second place in this year's Game of the Season awards.
1. Liverpool 3 Manchester City 2, April 2014:
"This does not f**king slip now"...well Steven, you may not have won the Premier League title this season but you have won our coveted Game of the Season award.
As Liverpool and Manchester City took to the Anfield turf to choruses of 'You'll Never Walk Alone', nobody could have predicted the football that was about to unfold in front of our very eyes.
Liverpool made an exhilarating start to the game and were rewarded for their efforts in the sixth minute after Luis Suarez played a phenomenal ball to Raheem Sterling, who showed the experience of a veteran striker to calmly place the ball past Joe Hart in the Manchester City goal.
Anfield erupted when 18 minutes later Martin Skrtel peeled off the front post to guide a Steven Gerrard corner cleverly into the net. Liverpool were rampant.
Manuel Pellegrini made a shrewd change just after half-time, however, bringing James Milner on for the non-existent Jesus Navas.
Milner made his presence felt just seven minutes after coming off the bench as a quick one-two with Yaya Toure saw the England International break through the Liverpool defence to feed the ball back across to David Silva, who slotted home.
It was that man Silva again who drew City level five minutes later - although Glen Johnson was credited with the own goal, it was Silva's clever play that led to the big spenders drawing level.
For all the money in the world it looked like City had Liverpool found out, but it was the hosts who found a second wind, and finally, with twelve minutes to go Philipe Countinho pounced on a Vincent Kompany sliced clearance to put Liverpool back ahead on the field and two points clear in the title race.
Even a late red card for Jordan Hendersen couldn't do anything to dampen the Liverpool spirits as the title swayed towards Merseyside.
As it turned out this season was the one that got away for Liverpool, but they have no doubt produced some brilliant attacking football this season, thrilling hard core supporters and neutrals alike.
A five-goal thriller that produced the highest level of football is a worthy winner of the 2014 Game of the Season.
Congratulations to Liverpool and Manchester City, you have our blessing to produce a game of this standard again.
Chelsea have stepped up their bid to sign Atletico Madrid's Filipe Luis and Sir Alex Ferguson wanted Carlo Ancelotti to replace him at United.
New Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino wants Southampton captain Adam Lallana, while Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea are all eyeing QPR's Loic Remy.
Joe Urquhart continues the 2014 TEAMtalk Soccers ceremony by handing out the award for the Game of the Season.
The 2013-14 season was one of the most exhilarating and entertaining in recent memory.
The Premier League title race once again went to the final day, the Capital One Cup final swung one way and then another, and the FA Cup final went to extra-time after the underdog looked set to slay the giant.
Here are the games that you, our loyal readers, voted the most memorable of the past nine months.
5. Manchester City 4 Manchester United 1, September 2013:
At number five is the Manchester derby from September. This was arguably David Moyes' first real test as United boss - and oh how he failed.
Having previously lost 1-0 to Liverpool in the weeks before, as well as drawing 0-0 against Chelsea at Old Trafford, the United faithful were keen for a positive result against their rather loud 'noisy neighbours'.
However, Sergio Aguero made easy pickings of the ageing United backline to put City ahead on 16 minutes with a magnificence volley, an early blow that must have had even the most hardened United fan reeling.
So, when Yaya Toure put City 2-0 up on the stroke of half-time, you couldn't help feel that this was the changing of the guard in Manchester.
Sixty-one seconds into the second half maybe Moyes himself realised this too, Aguero again drifting into the box unmarked to ease the ball past a frantic David de Gea to put the hosts three goals to the good.
The rout was completed just three minutes later as Samir Nasri slotted home from six yards out. City didn't just have United on the ropes; they had them on the deck with the referee counting to 10.
A late but brilliant free-kick from Wayne Rooney gave United little consolation as they had been well and truly outplayed by their City rivals, from start to finish City outclassed Moyes' side in every aspect.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing - we now know the struggles that United faced under Moyes in the coming months - but this particular game, more than any, epitomised the Scot's time at Old Trafford.
Lots of misery followed by the slight glimmer of hope that something, maybe something could be done to right the wrongs in the red half of Manchester.
4. Arsenal 3-2 Hull City, May 2014:
Saturday, May 17, Wembley Stadium. The day Arsenal fans had been dreaming of. Nine long years since their 2005 FA Cup triumph over old foes Manchester United.
With haunting memories of the 2011 League Cup final against Birmingham City, Arsenal fans must have been wary the threat a strong Hull City side possessed. And when James Chester reacted quickly to divert Tom Huddlestone's wayward volley into the Arsenal goal after four minutes Gunners fans must have been thinking the worst.
If Arsenal fans were thinking the worst then, lord knows what they made of what happened four minutes later as Curtis Davies was given the freedom of the Arsenal box to place the ball calmly past the onlooking Lukasz Fabianski.
Arsenal were in deep trouble and after only just eight minutes. The hoodoo had seemingly struck again - and this was supposed to be their year, the year they finally reclaimed some long-awaited silverware which many Arsenal fans young and old had been drooling over.
However, Santi Cazorla's stunning set-piece after 17 minutes sparked a historic comeback for the north London club at the home of English football. Cazorla's delightful curling strike evaded the scrambling Alan McGregor and gave Arsenal a glimmer of hope. Maybe, after all, there was something in the Wembley air for Arsenal.
Arsenal probed and pressured Hull City's defence but the long-awaited equaliser did not come until 19 minutes from time from an unlikely source as Laurent Koscielny tapped home from close range to haul his side level.
Full-time came and went with the two sides locked at 2-2 apiece, and extra-time was a nervy affair with neither side wanting to make that fatal error that could cost their team dearly.
Finally, and fittingly, the comeback was completed by arguably Arsenal's player of the season, Aaron Ramsey, as he rifled home a well-struck shot from a brilliant Olivier Giroud back heel - sparking scenes of delirium amongst the Arsenal fans. They had finally done it.
3. Real Madrid 3 Barcelona 4, March 2014:
Often, El Clasico is...well, shall we say, not exactly a classic, but this time boy did it deliver.
In recent times this fixture has had a bad rap for the play-acting, feigning injury etc. but these two Spanish giants don't half produce a good game when they try and play football.
An early strike from Andreas Ineista after seven minutes brought the game to life. This season Barcelona have been, well, very un-Barcelona like. So perhaps it was a slight shock when the Catalans struck first.
However, Real Madrid were not about to lie down in their own backyard after 17 straight wins at the Bernabeu, and a quick-fire double from Karim Benzema after 24 minutes turned the game on its head.
A game that means so much to both sides, it was unusually open, and with just three minutes of the first half remaining Lionel Messi announced himself to the game, drawing Barcelona level heading into the break.
With the game finely poised heading into the second half it didn't take long for Cristiano Ronaldo to get in on the action, Dani Alves' clumsy challenge on Ronaldo himself was deemed just inside the area, although television replays suggested otherwise, and Ronaldo slotted home the resulting penalty kick.
Ten minutes later Neymar broke through the Madrid back line at pace before a slight (very slight, if non-existent) touch from Galacticos skipper Sergio Ramos resulted in a penalty and sending off for the centre-half. Messi did the honours from the spot.
Seven minutes from time Messi sealed his hat-trick and the Barcelona win from the spot again after Ineista was caught in a Xabi Alonso and Daniel Carvajal sandwich after some quick footwork.
Messi wheeled away in delight as he became the second highest scorer in La Liga history, moving ahead of former Real striker Hugo Sanchez onto 236 goals.
The Argentine also became the all-time top scorer in Clasicos with 21 goals, surpassing Real legend Alfredo Di Stefano.
2. Crystal Palace 3 Liverpool 3, May 2014:
Liverpool were three goals to the good with 11 minutes to play at Selhurst Park. You would be mad to bet against a team from that position; even the most hardened gambler would have ticked this one off his slip.
As it transpired it could be an 11 minutes that could haunt Brendan Rodgers, Steven Gerrard and co. for the rest of their lives. Was this the Premier League title that got away?
Chelsea ended Liverpool's 11-game winning run the previous week and put the title back into Manchester City open palms, but it was Crystal Palace who turned those open palms into a clenched fist.
An unmarked Joe Allen nodded Liverpool in front inside 20 minutes as normal service was resumed.
The Reds remained mainly in control, but it wasn't until Daniel Sturridge's second half strike that Liverpool doubled their lead. However, when Raheem Sterling fed Luis Suarez the ball just three minutes later, surely the points were heading back up to Merseyside as the Uruguayan poked the ball past the flailing Crystal Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni.
Damien Delaney gave the hosts a glimmer of hope with 11 minutes remaining after his deflected shot flew past Simon Mignolet in the Liverpool goal.
The Crystal Palace ultras couldn't quite believe their luck when three minutes later Dwight Gayle cleverly turned a Yannick Bolasie cross into the Liverpool goal. It was well and truly game on.
The comeback was complete seven minutes later and with just two minutes remaining on the clock. It was the goal that broke Liverpool hearts, reduced Luis Suarez to tears and caused widespread depression across the red half of Liverpool. It was Gayle again that calmly slotted the ball home from 10 yards out to all but end Liverpool's title dream.
A Tony Pulis masterclass which is worthy of second place in this year's Game of the Season awards.
1. Liverpool 3 Manchester City 2, April 2014:
"This does not f**king slip now"...well Steven, you may not have won the Premier League title this season but you have won our coveted Game of the Season award.
As Liverpool and Manchester City took to the Anfield turf to choruses of 'You'll Never Walk Alone', nobody could have predicted the football that was about to unfold in front of our very eyes.
Liverpool made an exhilarating start to the game and were rewarded for their efforts in the sixth minute after Luis Suarez played a phenomenal ball to Raheem Sterling, who showed the experience of a veteran striker to calmly place the ball past Joe Hart in the Manchester City goal.
Anfield erupted when 18 minutes later Martin Skrtel peeled off the front post to guide a Steven Gerrard corner cleverly into the net. Liverpool were rampant.
Manuel Pellegrini made a shrewd change just after half-time, however, bringing James Milner on for the non-existent Jesus Navas.
Milner made his presence felt just seven minutes after coming off the bench as a quick one-two with Yaya Toure saw the England International break through the Liverpool defence to feed the ball back across to David Silva, who slotted home.
It was that man Silva again who drew City level five minutes later - although Glen Johnson was credited with the own goal, it was Silva's clever play that led to the big spenders drawing level.
For all the money in the world it looked like City had Liverpool found out, but it was the hosts who found a second wind, and finally, with twelve minutes to go Philipe Countinho pounced on a Vincent Kompany sliced clearance to put Liverpool back ahead on the field and two points clear in the title race.
Even a late red card for Jordan Hendersen couldn't do anything to dampen the Liverpool spirits as the title swayed towards Merseyside.
As it turned out this season was the one that got away for Liverpool, but they have no doubt produced some brilliant attacking football this season, thrilling hard core supporters and neutrals alike.
A five-goal thriller that produced the highest level of football is a worthy winner of the 2014 Game of the Season.
Congratulations to Liverpool and Manchester City, you have our blessing to produce a game of this standard again.
Eden Hazard rules out a move to Paris Saint Germain, while Chelsea consider a £16million bid for the French club's forward Ezequiel Lavezzi.
New Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino wants Southampton captain Adam Lallana, while Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea are all eyeing QPR's Loic Remy.
Eden Hazard rules out a move to Paris Saint Germain, while Chelsea consider a £16million bid for the French club's forward Ezequiel Lavezzi.
Joe Urquhart continues the 2014 TEAMtalk Soccers ceremony by handing out the award for the Game of the Season.
The 2013-14 season was one of the most exhilarating and entertaining in recent memory.
The Premier League title race once again went to the final day, the Capital One Cup final swung one way and then another, and the FA Cup final went to extra-time after the underdog looked set to slay the giant.
Here are the games that you, our loyal readers, voted the most memorable of the past nine months.
5. Manchester City 4 Manchester United 1, September 2013:
At number five is the Manchester derby from September. This was arguably David Moyes' first real test as United boss - and oh how he failed.
Having previously lost 1-0 to Liverpool in the weeks before, as well as drawing 0-0 against Chelsea at Old Trafford, the United faithful were keen for a positive result against their rather loud 'noisy neighbours'.
However, Sergio Aguero made easy pickings of the ageing United backline to put City ahead on 16 minutes with a magnificence volley, an early blow that must have had even the most hardened United fan reeling.
So, when Yaya Toure put City 2-0 up on the stroke of half-time, you couldn't help feel that this was the changing of the guard in Manchester.
Sixty-one seconds into the second half maybe Moyes himself realised this too, Aguero again drifting into the box unmarked to ease the ball past a frantic David de Gea to put the hosts three goals to the good.
The rout was completed just three minutes later as Samir Nasri slotted home from six yards out. City didn't just have United on the ropes; they had them on the deck with the referee counting to 10.
A late but brilliant free-kick from Wayne Rooney gave United little consolation as they had been well and truly outplayed by their City rivals, from start to finish City outclassed Moyes' side in every aspect.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing - we now know the struggles that United faced under Moyes in the coming months - but this particular game, more than any, epitomised the Scot's time at Old Trafford.
Lots of misery followed by the slight glimmer of hope that something, maybe something could be done to right the wrongs in the red half of Manchester.
4. Arsenal 3-2 Hull City, May 2014:
Saturday, May 17, Wembley Stadium. The day Arsenal fans had been dreaming of. Nine long years since their 2005 FA Cup triumph over old foes Manchester United.
With haunting memories of the 2011 League Cup final against Birmingham City, Arsenal fans must have been wary the threat a strong Hull City side possessed. And when James Chester reacted quickly to divert Tom Huddlestone's wayward volley into the Arsenal goal after four minutes Gunners fans must have been thinking the worst.
If Arsenal fans were thinking the worst then, lord knows what they made of what happened four minutes later as Curtis Davies was given the freedom of the Arsenal box to place the ball calmly past the onlooking Lukasz Fabianski.
Arsenal were in deep trouble and after only just eight minutes. The hoodoo had seemingly struck again - and this was supposed to be their year, the year they finally reclaimed some long-awaited silverware which many Arsenal fans young and old had been drooling over.
However, Santi Cazorla's stunning set-piece after 17 minutes sparked a historic comeback for the north London club at the home of English football. Cazorla's delightful curling strike evaded the scrambling Alan McGregor and gave Arsenal a glimmer of hope. Maybe, after all, there was something in the Wembley air for Arsenal.
Arsenal probed and pressured Hull City's defence but the long-awaited equaliser did not come until 19 minutes from time from an unlikely source as Laurent Koscielny tapped home from close range to haul his side level.
Full-time came and went with the two sides locked at 2-2 apiece, and extra-time was a nervy affair with neither side wanting to make that fatal error that could cost their team dearly.
Finally, and fittingly, the comeback was completed by arguably Arsenal's player of the season, Aaron Ramsey, as he rifled home a well-struck shot from a brilliant Olivier Giroud back heel - sparking scenes of delirium amongst the Arsenal fans. They had finally done it.
3. Real Madrid 3 Barcelona 4, March 2014:
Often, El Clasico is...well, shall we say, not exactly a classic, but this time boy did it deliver.
In recent times this fixture has had a bad rap for the play-acting, feigning injury etc. but these two Spanish giants don't half produce a good game when they try and play football.
An early strike from Andreas Ineista after seven minutes brought the game to life. This season Barcelona have been, well, very un-Barcelona like. So perhaps it was a slight shock when the Catalans struck first.
However, Real Madrid were not about to lie down in their own backyard after 17 straight wins at the Bernabeu, and a quick-fire double from Karim Benzema after 24 minutes turned the game on its head.
A game that means so much to both sides, it was unusually open, and with just three minutes of the first half remaining Lionel Messi announced himself to the game, drawing Barcelona level heading into the break.
With the game finely poised heading into the second half it didn't take long for Cristiano Ronaldo to get in on the action, Dani Alves' clumsy challenge on Ronaldo himself was deemed just inside the area, although television replays suggested otherwise, and Ronaldo slotted home the resulting penalty kick.
Ten minutes later Neymar broke through the Madrid back line at pace before a slight (very slight, if non-existent) touch from Galacticos skipper Sergio Ramos resulted in a penalty and sending off for the centre-half. Messi did the honours from the spot.
Seven minutes from time Messi sealed his hat-trick and the Barcelona win from the spot again after Ineista was caught in a Xabi Alonso and Daniel Carvajal sandwich after some quick footwork.
Messi wheeled away in delight as he became the second highest scorer in La Liga history, moving ahead of former Real striker Hugo Sanchez onto 236 goals.
The Argentine also became the all-time top scorer in Clasicos with 21 goals, surpassing Real legend Alfredo Di Stefano.
2. Crystal Palace 3 Liverpool 3, May 2014:
Liverpool were three goals to the good with 11 minutes to play at Selhurst Park. You would be mad to bet against a team from that position; even the most hardened gambler would have ticked this one off his slip.
As it transpired it could be an 11 minutes that could haunt Brendan Rodgers, Steven Gerrard and co. for the rest of their lives. Was this the Premier League title that got away?
Chelsea ended Liverpool's 11-game winning run the previous week and put the title back into Manchester City open palms, but it was Crystal Palace who turned those open palms into a clenched fist.
An unmarked Joe Allen nodded Liverpool in front inside 20 minutes as normal service was resumed.
The Reds remained mainly in control, but it wasn't until Daniel Sturridge's second half strike that Liverpool doubled their lead. However, when Raheem Sterling fed Luis Suarez the ball just three minutes later, surely the points were heading back up to Merseyside as the Uruguayan poked the ball past the flailing Crystal Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni.
Damien Delaney gave the hosts a glimmer of hope with 11 minutes remaining after his deflected shot flew past Simon Mignolet in the Liverpool goal.
The Crystal Palace ultras couldn't quite believe their luck when three minutes later Dwight Gayle cleverly turned a Yannick Bolasie cross into the Liverpool goal. It was well and truly game on.
The comeback was complete seven minutes later and with just two minutes remaining on the clock. It was the goal that broke Liverpool hearts, reduced Luis Suarez to tears and caused widespread depression across the red half of Liverpool. It was Gayle again that calmly slotted the ball home from 10 yards out to all but end Liverpool's title dream.
A Tony Pulis masterclass which is worthy of second place in this year's Game of the Season awards.
1. Liverpool 3 Manchester City 2, April 2014:
"This does not f**king slip now"...well Steven, you may not have won the Premier League title this season but you have won our coveted Game of the Season award.
As Liverpool and Manchester City took to the Anfield turf to choruses of 'You'll Never Walk Alone', nobody could have predicted the football that was about to unfold in front of our very eyes.
Liverpool made an exhilarating start to the game and were rewarded for their efforts in the sixth minute after Luis Suarez played a phenomenal ball to Raheem Sterling, who showed the experience of a veteran striker to calmly place the ball past Joe Hart in the Manchester City goal.
Anfield erupted when 18 minutes later Martin Skrtel peeled off the front post to guide a Steven Gerrard corner cleverly into the net. Liverpool were rampant.
Manuel Pellegrini made a shrewd change just after half-time, however, bringing James Milner on for the non-existent Jesus Navas.
Milner made his presence felt just seven minutes after coming off the bench as a quick one-two with Yaya Toure saw the England International break through the Liverpool defence to feed the ball back across to David Silva, who slotted home.
It was that man Silva again who drew City level five minutes later - although Glen Johnson was credited with the own goal, it was Silva's clever play that led to the big spenders drawing level.
For all the money in the world it looked like City had Liverpool found out, but it was the hosts who found a second wind, and finally, with twelve minutes to go Philipe Countinho pounced on a Vincent Kompany sliced clearance to put Liverpool back ahead on the field and two points clear in the title race.
Even a late red card for Jordan Hendersen couldn't do anything to dampen the Liverpool spirits as the title swayed towards Merseyside.
As it turned out this season was the one that got away for Liverpool, but they have no doubt produced some brilliant attacking football this season, thrilling hard core supporters and neutrals alike.
A five-goal thriller that produced the highest level of football is a worthy winner of the 2014 Game of the Season.
Congratulations to Liverpool and Manchester City, you have our blessing to produce a game of this standard again.
