Monday 22 May 2017 11:26, UK
As the 2016/17 Premier League season reaches its conclusion, we look back at 10 games which shaped the campaign.
A trip to Hull's KCOM Stadium seemed like a simple enough start to Leicester's title defence. The newly-promoted Tigers were in turmoil and barely even had enough players to fill their matchday squad, but if last season taught us anything it was to expect the unexpected.
Claudio Ranieri's side looked a shadow of the side who won the title as Hull duo Adama Diomande and Robert Snodgrass scored either side of Riyad Mahrez's penalty. The defeat brought Leicester back down to earth with a bump. After the highs of 2015/16, it set the tone for what was to follow.
Chelsea's trip to the Emirates Stadium in September will be remembered as the biggest turning point in their season. The Blues were ripped apart as Arsenal raced into a three-goal first-half lead, leaving them in eighth place and piling the pressure on Antonio Conte.
But while the embarrassing defeat was difficult for Chelsea fans to stomach, it also prompted Conte to make the inspired switch to a 3-4-3 formation. They went on to win their next 13 consecutive Premier League games, with the new set-up providing the foundations for their title triumph.
With their new 3-4-3 formation working to devastating effect, Chelsea made their first major statement of intent when Mourinho returned to Stamford Bridge with Manchester United in October. Pedro opened the scoring inside the first minute, with Gary Cahill, Eden Hazard and N'Golo Kante also getting in on the act.
It was an galling loss for Mourinho which further highlighted United's shortcomings and provided the first real clue of Chelsea's potential under Conte. Even more significant for the hosts, however, was that it banished the memories of their dismal title defence under the man in the opposite dugout.
This nine-goal thriller at the Liberty Stadium summed up the unpredictable element of the 2016/17 season. Crystal Palace seemed to be on their way to victory having recovered from 3-1 down to lead 4-3, but Fernando Llorente scored twice in a remarkable finale to give the Swans their first win since the opening day.
The game highlighted the two sides' defensive frailties and showed why they were in such trouble under Alan Pardew and Bob Bradley. Indeed, it was only thanks to their improvement at the back under Paul Clement and Sam Allardyce that they would eventually clinch survival.
Despite its 1-1 scoreline, Manchester City's meeting with Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium was a strong contender for game of the season. The breathless encounter saw James Milner's penalty cancelled out by Sergio Aguero, but both sides had more than enough chances to win it.
Adam Lallana and Aguero were guilty of missing gilt-edged opportunities, while referee Michael Oliver also came in for criticism over contentious decisions at both ends. With attacking brilliance and defensive vulnerability on show in equal measure, the frantic game seemed to sum up the two teams' strengths and weaknesses.
Arsenal's season hit a nadir at Selhurst Park. Arsene Wenger's side came into the game having only won four of their previous 11 fixtures in all competitions, but their weaknesses were exposed more brutally than ever as Allardyce's side outmuscled and outfought them in south London.
Andros Townsend, Yohan Cabaye and Luka Milivojevic were the scorers for the hosts, leaving angry Arsenal fans to aim chants of 'You're not fit to wear the shirt' at their players. The result left the Gunners in sixth place and ramped up the pressure on Wenger, with Theo Walcott admitting Palace "wanted it more" from the first whistle.
After so many brushes with relegation in the past, Sunderland's 10-year stay in the Premier League finally came to an end with a late strike from Bournemouth's Josh King at the Stadium of Light.
It capped a dismal season which looked bleak from the moment David Moyes told fans to expect another relegation battle in August. Their first win did not arrive until November, and the loss to Bournemouth was their 23rd in 33 games. "It summed up our season," said a dejected Moyes afterwards.
Tottenham fans will savour the memory of the final north London derby at White Hart Lane. Dele Alli and Harry Kane scored twice in the space of three second half minutes as Spurs outclassed Arsenal, and the scoreline would have been far worse for the visitors if it wasn't for Petr Cech's saves.
As well as keeping the pressure on Chelsea at the top of the Premier League table, the victory ensured Spurs would finish the season above their neighbours for the first time in 22 years. It also served to show just how far the club have come under the management of Mauricio Pochettino.
Just a few days after the high of defeating Arsenal, Tottenham's title hopes were all but ended by mid-table West Ham. Manuel Lanzini's goal sealed the Hammers' third home win in their last four meetings with Spurs and typified their ability to raise their game against their London rivals.
For all Tottenham's progress, Pochettino felt the defeat showed they were not quite ready to take the final step. "To win a League or a trophy, there is a key moment and today was a key moment," he said. "It's not about playing good or bad, or running more or less. But when you need to win, you win. If you want to be champions you must win."
Chelsea travelled to The Hawthorns knowing three points would clinch the title but West Brom were keen to spoil the party. Tony Pulis' side defended stubbornly and the game seemed to be heading for a stalemate when Michy Batshuayi came off the bench to score an 82nd-minute winner.
The forgotten Belgian was an unlikely hero having not scored in the Premier League since August, but the late breakthrough summed up the relentlessness and determination behind Chelsea's title charge. At the final whistle, Conte led their wild celebrations in front of the travelling fans.
