The top 10 Premier League moments of 2016

Leicester's title win was just one of the Premier League highlights of 2016

What were the 10 best Premier League moments of 2016?

As the curtain comes down on a thrilling year, we make our picks.

Watch the selection below…

Van Gaal takes a tumble

Under-fire Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal caused hilarity during the 3-2 win over Arsenal at Old Trafford when he took a dive in the dugout in protest at some of Arsenal's theatrics.

Louis van Gaal caused a stir __with his impromptu touchline dive

Rashford's breakthrough

United's 3-2 win over Arsenal was also memorable for local lad Marcus Rashford's remarkable two-goal Premier League debut.

Manchester United's Marcus Rashford announced his arrival in style

Battle of the Bridge

Chelsea and Tottenham's ill-tempered 2-2 draw in May became known as the Battle of the Bridge, and __with Eden Hazard's equaliser, it was also the game that clinched Leicester the title.

Eden Hazard's goal against Tottenham got Leicester's party started

Bye-bye Boleyn

After 112 years at the Boleyn Ground, West Ham United waved goodbye to their old stadium with a thrilling 3-2 win over Manchester United.

After 112 years it was an emotional farewell to West Ham's Boleyn Ground

Benitez to Newcastle

Newcastle pulled off a major coup when they appointed Rafael Benitez, and they surprised everyone again when they convinced him to stay at St James' Park despite their relegation to the Championship.

Rafa Benitez made his return to English football with Newcastle United

Sunderland's great escape

The Black Cats looked dead and buried last season, but Sam Allardyce steered them to survival by only losing one of their final 11 games of the campaign.

Sam Allardyce kept Sunderland in the Premier League and gave us a jig

Leicester lift the title    

Without doubt the most iconic achievement in 2016 was Claudio Ranieri's Leicester defying 5000-1 odds to lift the Premier League trophy.

Leicester's fairytale title win was the Premier League story of 2016

Mourinho's return

After a protracted saga which dragged on for months, Jose Mourinho finally returned to the Premier League as successor to Louis van Gaal at Manchester United.

Jose Mourinho was appointed as Van Gaal's successor at Old Trafford

Pep is unveiled

In the month that Graziano Pelle became the latest star to head for China, the Premier League finally welcomed Pep Guardiola in July as he was unveiled to an adoring Manchester City public.

After much speculation, Pep Guardiola took over at Manchester City

Pogback

A few months after Mourinho's appointment, Manchester United smashed the world record with a £93.25m deal to re-sign Paul Pogba from Juventus.

World record signing Paul Pogba showed what he could do against Swansea

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Ronald Koeman praises 'great' Everton character after Hull draw

Ronald Koeman says Everton showed a great reaction and positive character after going behind twice in their 2-2 draw __with Hull

Ronald Koeman has praised the "great character and reaction" of his Everton side after their 2-2 draw __with Hull on Friday.

The Toffees twice came from behind to take a point from the KCOM Stadium live on Sky Sports, with a bizarre own goal from Tigers goalkeeper David Marshall cancelling out an early opener from Michael Dawson. 

Robert Snodgrass put Hull back ahead in the 65th minute with a sublime free kick, but a header from Ross Barkley with six minutes of normal time to play saw the two sides share the points. 

Koeman was ultimately pleased with the result and believes Barkley also had a good game after a testing few weeks for the 23-year-old.

Hull 2-2 Everton

"I think the crowd loved this game because it was really a really open game with lots of chances and I think the better chances were for us," he told Sky Sports. 

"It was a difficult start in the game but twice we showed great character in the team with a great reaction and in my opinion, maybe football wise, it was one of our better games.

David Marshall scored a bizarre own goal at the end of the first half to see Everton level

"Of course, you can't stop crosses or set plays sometimes and you cannot stop a free kick specialist like Snodgrass. He was unlucky with one but scored the second.

"Well done to him, but we showed good reaction in the team, we fought for everything, we had the better chances and it is one point.

Everton rebuilding job?

Why Everton manager Ronald Koeman has a big job on his hands with this ageing squad.

"We lost the first two or three tackles in midfield and out of that came the first corner. Again, the start was not good and they were more aggressive and that is always difficult but you need to fight back in the game which we did. That's positive but OK, it was not a good start.

"I was really pleased with the important goal Ross scored. He was dangerous, he had some good shots and that's the player we want and need up front."

With the transfer window opening in two days time, Koeman was coy on his plans but did say he had areas he wished to strengthen. 

"We know what we want. We know where we need to improve but I think I'm really happy with the mentality of the team and how we played against Arsenal after disappointment against Watford away," he added.

Ross Barkley scored a late equaliser for Everton to nick a point at the KCOM Stadium

"With Liverpool, Leicester and today, we are seeing a different team who are difficult to beat and we also created a lot of chances.

"Every team likes to improve and we lost Yannick Bolasie to a long-term injury and then of course, you need a new player in this position."