Thursday, December 22, 2016

What was your Premier League team's worst day of 2016?

Your club
Your club's worst day of 2016

In football, we savour the highs when they come - but it's the lows which make them all the more enjoyable in a sense.

While every Premier League team had moments to treasure in 2016, there were plenty they would all rather forget too.

So which was your Premier League team's lowest point of the last calendar year? Sky Sports takes a look...

Arsenal

March 2, 2-1 Swansea loss increases pressure on Wenger

Going into 2016, Arsenal were in a good position to push for their first Premier League title in 12 years - but by the start of March those hopes had faded.

Just two points from a possible nine against Liverpool, Stoke and Chelsea was far from an ideal start to the year but a last-gasp win over Leicester had renewed expectations this could be Arsenal's year. 

Ashley Williams celebrates scoring Swansea
Ashley Williams celebrates scoring Swansea's winner against Arsenal, a result which increased pressure on Arsene Wenger

However, when defeat at Manchester United was followed by a home loss to Swansea, the task of overhauling the high-flying Foxes, now six points ahead, seemed beyond the Gunners - and left some Arsenal fans calling for boss Arsene Wenger to go.

Wenger stayed on and completed 20 years at the club in October but his wait for a first Premier League since 2004 remains a major blot on his copybook.

Bournemouth

July 1, Matt Ritchie leaves for Newcastle 

Despite impressing in their first season in England's top flight and finishing comfortably above the relegation zone, Bournemouth were delivered a harsh blow this summer when key midfielder Matt Ritchie opted to join Championship-bound Newcastle, who had finished five points behind the Cherries. 

Matt Ritchie was sold to Newcastle for £12m in July
Matt Ritchie was sold to Newcastle for £12m in July

The Scotland international had played in every game during their promotion campaign in 2014/15 and scored a goal-of-the-season contender against Sunderland as helped Bournemouth avoid an immediate return to the second tier.

However, the south coast club were unable to compete __with Newcastle financially and had to let their man leave. "We weren't happy to let him go," said Eddie Howe. "But the reality is we just couldn't compete __with Newcastle's finances and Matty expressed a desire to leave."

Burnley

November 21, Humbled by West Brom

After beating Everton, holding Manchester United to a draw at Old Trafford and then seeing off Crystal Palace at home, Burnley travelled to West Brom for a Monday Night Football clash optimistic of building on their good run. Instead, they left the Hawthorns with their tail between their legs after a 4-0 defeat which saw the hosts equal their biggest-ever margin of victory in the Premier League. 

West Brom 4-0 Burnley
West Brom 4-0 Burnley

Matt Phillips, James Morrison and Darren Fletcher had the Baggies three to the good by half-time and Salomon Rondon rubbed salt into Burnley wounds after the break. 

"I broke my leg here at 17 and I have never had a result here," said Clarets boss Sean Dyche after the match. "It's one of the few grounds in the country where I have had nothing."

Chelsea

May 15, Finishing 10th and missing Europe

Failing to win any of their last four games of 2015/16 saw Chelsea finish a lowly 10th in the Premier League, their worst finish in 20 years.

Chelsea took just three points from their final 12 available and lost at Sunderland as they finished a lowly 10th in the Premier League in 2015/16
Chelsea took just three points from their final 12 available and lost at Sunderland as they finished a lowly 10th in the Premier League in 2015/16

That coincided with them not qualifying for European football for the first time in two decades as well after 13 consecutive appearances in the Champions League.

Indeed, the defence of their title was the worst in Premier League history as they won just 12 times - although Leicester are threatening to be even poorer in the months ahead.

Crystal Palace

December 17, Two little ducks

But for a couple of weeks at the start of this season, Crystal Palace haven't spent any other time in the Premier League's relegation zone - yet you have to wonder how.

Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace's 1-0 defeat to Chelsea was their 22nd defeat of a disappointing 2016 at Selhurst Park

Going into their weekend game with Chelsea, there was talk of a 21st-minute walk out from fans in protest at their 21 defeats in 2016 so far.

That didn't materialise but Diego Costa's goal ensured a 22nd loss duly followed. with just six Premier League victories in the calendar year, this has been one for Palace to forget.

Everton

May 12, Martinez sacked by Toffees

Roberto Martinez led Everton to the semi-finals of both cup competitions last season but failure to go any further and their poor Premier League form saw him sacked by the club.

Roberto Martinez was dismissed by Everton after losing in two cup semi-finals and failing to impress in the Premier League
Roberto Martinez was dismissed by Everton after losing in two cup semi-finals and failing to impress in the Premier League

Pressure slowly mounted on him throughout last term, with fans ultimately displaying banners calling for his departure.

A run of just one win in 10 matches saw the Spanish dismissed after nearly three years at Goodison Park, with Everton's end-of-season awards dinner cancelled too.

Hull City

July 22, Losing Steve Bruce

After the high of winning promotion via the play-offs, what followed was much less savoury for Hull fan, as manager Steve Bruce left the club less than two months later.

With his relationship with the club's hierarchy breaking down over reported concerns about a lack of investment in new players while Hull were up for sale, Bruce chose to walk.

Steve Bruce quit Hull in July, less than two months after leading them to success in the Championship play-off final
Steve Bruce quit Hull in July, less than two months after leading them to success in the Championship play-off final

He had already been interviewed for the England job but lost out to Sam Allardyce and is now making progress with a previously misfiring Aston Villa.

Mike Phelan took temporary charge of Hull for several weeks before being appointed full-time but City quickly faded after winning their first two top flight games and will be bottom of the table at Christmas.

Leicester City

November 26, Leicester enter 'battle of relegation'

Many people expected Leicester to drop off in their Premier League title defence and they did but to a greater extent than many thought.

Leicester had to come back twice to get a 2-2 draw at home to Middlesbrough
Leicester had to come back twice to get a 2-2 draw at home to Middlesbrough

Indeed, after having to twice come back from the penalty spot at home to promoted Middlesbrough, Ranieri was forced to admit his team was in a 'battle of relegation'.

Recording more wins in Europe than the Premier League in the first few months of the season, City must improve considerably over the rest of the campaign or risk going down.

Liverpool

May 18, Undone by Sevilla in Switzerland

At one point, Jurgen Klopp's first season on Merseyside looked as though it might be a trophy-laden one but his team instead lost in two cup finals.

Being beaten on penalties by Manchester City in February's League Cup final was disappointing but worse was the follow as Sevilla beat Liverpool to the Europa League trophy.

Sevilla won their third consecutive Europa League title at Liverpool
Sevilla won their third consecutive Europa League title at Liverpool's expense in Basel

Having got past Augsburg, Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund and Villarreal to reach the final, Daniel Sturridge's goal in Basel put the Reds ahead at half-time.

Sevilla hit back after the break, however, with Kevin Gameiro scoring before a Coke double ensured the La Liga team' won the competition for a third consecutive year.

Manchester City

March 20, United kill title hopes

Consecutive defeats to Leicester, Tottenham and Liverpool had left City not just off the pace in the title race but in danger of slipping out of the top four altogether.

Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford's winner for Manchester United effectively ended City's hopes of winning the Premier League

Not having Champions League football to play in Guardiola's first season was an unthinkable prospect but it became more as United went to the Etihad and won.

Marcus Rashford's early goal separated the sides and left City 15 points behind Leicester, with any hope of claiming a third title in five seasons killed by their biggest rivals.

Manchester United

October 23, 'The Return' goes horribly wrong

There have been a few moments in 2016 United fans would rather forget but they would do well to put their team's 4-0 thrashing at Chelsea in October out of their minds.

Chelsea players celebrate after going 4-0 up against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge
Chelsea players celebrate after going 4-0 up against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge

In Mourinho's first game back at Stamford Bridge as an opposition manager since his second spell in charge there ended, he saw his team fall behind to Pedro's goal after just 30 seconds.

Gary Cahill, Eden Hazard and N'Golo Kante rounded off a miserable day, with the Portuguese claiming after his opposite number Antonio Conte had humiliated him.

Middlesbrough

March 11, Karanka rows with players

Footballers have been known to go AWOL from time to time but it's rare a manager should do so in the way Aitor Karanka did from Middlesbrough in March.

After a 1-0 defeat at Rotherham - the latest in a run of results which saw them slip from the top of the Championship - the Spaniard told his players he didn't want to manage them again.

Aitor Karanka almost left Middlesbrough after a furious row   his players at training after a 1-0 defeat to Rotherham
Aitor Karanka almost left Middlesbrough after a furious row with his players at training after a 1-0 defeat to Rotherham

Storming out of training, he left his assistant Steve Agnew to take charge of a 2-0 defeat at Charlton and looked set to leave the club.

Their differences were resolved and Boro were unbeaten in their final 10 games as they were promoted as runners-up - but the incident so nearly saw Karanka quit the Riverside.

Southampton

December 8, Going out of the Europa League

Having sneaked into the competition on the final day of the Premier League season, Southampton looked well placed to do well in the Europa League after the groups were drawn.

Indeed, things started well enough with a 3-0 home win against Sparta Prague and a draw at Hapoel Be'er Sheva before home wins were exchanged over two games with Inter.

Hapoel Be
Hapoel Be'er Sheva got the scoring draw they needed to knock Southampton out of the Europa League

Yet from there Southampton finished weakly, losing away to section winners Sparta then coming back to draw 1-1 with Hapoel when a 0-0 score would have been enough.

They were eliminated due to their head-to-head results with the Israeli side despite finishing level on points with them and having a better goal difference.

Stoke City

March 26, Losing Jack Butland to injury

England's 3-2 win over Germany in Berlin was the national team's best moment of 2016 but it was also Stoke's worst as their goalkeeper Jack Butland was injured during the match.

Jack Butland
Jack Butland's 2016 came to an end back in March when he was injured while playing for England against Germany

Fracturing an ankle shortly before half-time, he was sidelined for the rest of 2015/16 and is yet to make a playing comeback.

Without him in their side, Stoke have struggled to keep clean sheets as replacements Jakob Haugaard, Shay Given and Lee Grant have mustered just a few between them.

Sunderland

July 22, Losing Allardyce to England

After the high of staying up gave Sunderland fans hope of building on that this season, losing Sam Allardyce to the England job little more than two months later was a huge setback.

It took Sunderland until November to register their first win of the current Premier League season when they beat Bournemouth 2-1
It took Sunderland until November to register their first win of the current Premier League season when they beat Bournemouth 2-1

Although David Moyes was swiftly named as his replacement and he brought in 10 new faces, it took time for the squad the Scot had assembled time to gel.

Indeed, they took up a familiar position in the bottom three and took until November to finally register a Premier League win in their 2-1 success at Bournemouth.

Swansea City

December 17, Humbled by Boro

Swansea's 5-0 thrashing at Tottenham last month was worse but they were at least competitive for spells of the match before losing goals as they chased the game late on.

Swansea
Swansea's 3-0 defeat at Middlesbrough left them languishing in the relegation zone

Against Middlesbrough, they found themselves two goals down within half an hour against a relegation rival and later lost a third as they meekly slipped back into the bottom three.

Having already changed their manager this season and given previous incumbent Francesco Guidolin less than nine months in the position, the lack of stability at the club is clear.

Tottenham

May 2, Blowing the title race

Tottenham's 2-2 draw with Chelsea at the start of May was ultimately the game which confirmed the White Hart Lane club wouldn't win their first title since 1961.

Tempers frayed as Tottenham missed out on the Premier League title in a 2-2 draw at Chelsea
Tempers frayed as Tottenham missed out on the Premier League title in a 2-2 draw at Chelsea

Yet it was a series of inconsistent results in the lead up to that, combined with Leicester's relentless form, which killed their challenge.

While victories over Stoke and Manchester United were emphatic, Tottenham only won four games in a nine-match stretch and eventually slipped to third, 11 points behind Leicester.

Watford

December 17,  The demise of Odion Ighalo

After 16 goals at the start of 2015, Odion Ighalo was one of the standout players in the first half of the 2015/16 Premier League season as he scored 13 more before the year was out.

Odion Ighalo
Odion Ighalo 's form has dipped considerably this year after an impressive 2015

Yet from 29 goals in that 12-month stretch, he has stumbled his way to just six in this calendar year - and two of those were cup goals against lower-league opponents.

Ighalo has still largely kept his place in the Watford starting XI but having been one of the league's hottest properties not so long ago, he's making much less impact now. A blank against Sunderland on December 17 made it one goal in 14 Premier League appearances this season. 

West Brom

February 20, Brunt struck by his own fans

West Brom are not a team with a great record in the cups and so it proved as, after stumbling past Peterborough on penalties, they went out of the FA Cup to Reading in February.

Their 3-1 defeat at the Madjeski was unspectacular as they hosts came back from a goal to win but what followed afterwards was even less savoury.

Chris Brunt reacts after being hit by a coin in West Brom
Chris Brunt reacts after being hit by a coin in West Brom's FA Cup defeat at Reading

As Chris Brunt went to give his shirt to a West Brom fan after the match, another threw a coin at him which struck him just below his eye.

Brunt reacted furiously, confronting supporters as he sought the culprit, and later said he was disgusted and ashamed of the incident.

West Ham United

December 3, London Stadium teething problems

West Ham moved into their new home at the former Olympic Stadium with plenty of hype but were beset with problems almost from the moment they arrived.

The London Stadium hasn
The London Stadium hasn't always been a happy home for West Ham since their move from Upton Park

Segregation problems, fans turning up to find they didn't have seats and crowd trouble all blighted their first few months at London Stadium.

On-pitch results weren't great either and while losing 3-0 and 4-2 to Southampton and Watford were low points, a 5-1 thrashing by Alexis Sanchez-inspired Arsenal was worse.