What if... the season was about what happens when you concede first?
As the dust settles on the 2024-25 Premier League season, we have been taking a look at some of the alternative ways the the table could have finished..."We never do it the easy way."Something muttered by many a football fan as they watch their side go 1-0 down again.As frustrating as it can be watching from the stands or on the TV, it is a position some teams thrive in.Luring the opposition into a false sense of security, it is almost as though they do not get going until they have given the other team a chance.And if the league was measured on how well a team bounces back after conceding the first goal, then this season would have seen Brighton coming away with a Premier League title.There were 17 occasions in 2024-25 when the Seagulls conceded the first goal, but from those they came back to win five and draw five - rescuing 20 points in the process.It will not have made for comfortable watching for the fans, but it does show the tenacity of Fabian Hurzeler's side to turn a match around.The sign of champions is to win when you are not at your best and that is what Liverpool did this campaign. They may not have have conceded first as often as Brighton, but they still came back to win four times and draw seven.It will not have always helped the cause of those chasing European spots, but Newcastle, Fulham and Aston Villa all showed the resilience that they could go one-goal down and still get much-needed points from a game.At the other end of the scale, while some teams thrive in this situation, others flounder.Nottingham Forest surprised many onlookers going from relegation candidates to battling for a Champions League spot in less than 12 months.But key to that was their defence. There were not many occasions where they went 1-0 down - however, when they did, their ability to turn it around was in relegation territory.The silver-lining for Reds fans, though, is that they really did make it difficult for the opposition to get in front and this is a strength they will hope to build on going forwards.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Leader Live
19 minutes ago
- Leader Live
Tottenham sack Ange Postecoglou weeks after Europa League success
Postecoglou delivered on his promise of 'always' winning in his second season thanks to the 1-0 victory over Manchester United in Bilbao on May 21. It etched head coach Postecoglou's name into the history books as only the third Spurs boss to taste European success and the first in 17 years to lift silverware – provoking an outpouring of affection from a previously split fanbase. Following a review of performances and after significant reflection, the Club can announce that Ange Postecoglou has been relieved of his duties. — Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) June 6, 2025 While Postecoglou divided opinion across two years in England and attracted criticism during a torrid 17th-placed Premier League campaign, his San Mames triumph appeared enough to earn him year three. Postecoglou even delivered a mic-drop moment during a euphoric open-top bus parade in front of an estimated 220,000 people when he declared 'season three is better than season two', but chairman Daniel Levy had other ideas and has dismissed the man to deliver him a much-craved trophy. 'Following a review of performances and after significant reflection, the club can announce that Ange Postecoglou has been relieved of his duties,' a club statement read. 'We are extremely grateful to Ange for his commitment and contribution during his two years at the club. Ange will always be remembered as only the third manager in our history to deliver a European trophy, alongside legendary figures Bill Nicholson and Keith Burkinshaw. 'However, the board has unanimously concluded that it is in the best interests of the club for a change to take place. 'It is crucial that we are able to compete on multiple fronts and believe a change of approach will give us the strongest chance for the coming season and beyond. A post shared by UEFA Europa League (@europaleague) 'This has been one of the toughest decisions we have had to make and is not a decision that we have taken lightly, nor one we have rushed to conclude. We have made what we believe is the right decision to give us the best chance of success going forward, not the easy decision.' Postecoglou released a statement via his agency CAA Base, saying: 'When I reflect on my time as manager of Tottenham Hotspur, my overriding emotion is one of pride. 'The opportunity to lead one of England's historic football clubs and bring back the glory it deserves will live with me for a lifetime. 'Sharing that experience with all those who truly love this club and seeing the impact it had on them is something I will never forget.' Brentford boss Thomas Frank has been installed as the bookmakers' favourite to replace Postecoglou, who departs following a rollercoaster ride in his first Premier League role. A run of eight wins from his first 10 league fixtures – despite the high-profile departure of Harry Kane – propelled Spurs to the summit but a sign of things to come was a thrilling loss to Chelsea in November, 2023 where several injuries occurred. Fifth place in Postecoglou's debut campaign still represented an impressive finish but cracks started to emerge during a 2-0 loss at home to Manchester City where some Tottenham fans were conflicted given a positive result would have put rivals Arsenal in the driving seat for the title. A slow start to the 2024-25 campaign was followed by Postecoglou's second season trophy claim and a strong run of form as Spurs emphatically defeated Manchester United, Aston Villa and Manchester City. Guglielmo Vicario's fractured ankle in a 4-0 victory at the Etihad Stadium was quickly followed by serious setbacks for Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven and Tottenham lost eight of their 11 league fixtures in a jam-packed December and January. The Carabao Cup provided solace until a 4-0 loss at Liverpool in the last-four, which meant it was Europa League or bust for Postecoglou. A last-16 tie with AZ Alkmaar was navigated and, while Postecoglou aimed a cupped ear celebration at his own fans away to Chelsea in April, he managed to get a sinking ship back on track to knock out Eintracht Frankfurt before Bodo/Glimt were thrashed in the semi-finals after supporters' responded positively to the Australian's call-to-arms. It was then all eyes on San Mames, where Postecoglou's bold second season declaration came to fruition. Brennan Johnson's first-half goal proved the difference as Spurs clinched a narrative-busting 1-0 win but euphoric celebrations in Spain, at an open-top bus parade and during a carnival final-day atmosphere were played out against a backdrop of uncertainty over the future of Postecoglou. Even though Postecoglou expressed his desire to take Tottenham to the 'next level' and received public backing from various players, chairman Levy has dismissed the Greek-born coach.
Glasgow Times
19 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
Ange Postecoglou proud of bringing ‘glory' back to Tottenham
Postecoglou masterminded the club's first trophy in 17 years when he guided Spurs to Europa League glory with a 1-0 win over Manchester United on May 21. The long-awaited silverware came amid heightened speculation over his future, following a 17th-placed Premier League finish which represents Tottenham's worst top-flight position since they were relegated in 1977. We are extremely grateful to Ange for his commitment and contribution during his two years at the Club. Ange will always be remembered as only the third manager in our history to deliver a European trophy. Thank you Ange 🤍 — Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) June 6, 2025 The outpouring of affection that followed from fans flipped the narrative around Postecoglou's future, with the Australian serenaded on multiple occasions at a subsequent trophy parade in front of an estimated 220,000 supporters. Further chants in support of Postecoglou came in a final-day 4-1 loss to Brighton before several Spurs players backed him to stay, but Daniel Levy has dismissed the head coach who earned him much-craved silverware. Postecoglou, via a statement from his agency CAA Base, said: 'When I reflect on my time as manager of Tottenham Hotspur my overriding emotion is one of pride. 'The opportunity to lead one of England's historic football clubs and bring back the glory it deserves will live with me for a lifetime. 'Sharing that experience with all those who truly love this club and seeing the impact it had on them is something I will never forget. 'That night in Bilbao was the culmination of two years of hard work, dedication and unwavering belief in a dream. There were many challenges to overcome and plenty of noise that comes with trying to accomplish what many said was not possible. 'We have also laid foundations that mean this club should not have to wait 17 more years for their next success. I have enormous faith in this group of players and know there is much more potential and growth in them. 'I sincerely want to thank those who are the lifeblood of the club, the supporters. I know there were some difficult times but I always felt that they wanted me to succeed and that gave me all the motivation I needed to push on. 'It's important to acknowledge the hard working people at Spurs who gave me encouragement on a daily basis. 'And finally, I want to thank those who were with me every day for the last two years. A fantastic group of young men who are now legends of this football club and the brilliant coaches who never once doubted we could do something special. 'We are forever connected. Audere est Facere. Ange.'
The National
22 minutes ago
- The National
Rangers full-back 'set' for English Premier League move
The 16-year-old has risen through the academy ranks at the Ibrox club and turned out for the under-18s this season. Read more: He is now said to be on his way to join Newcastle, with a medical in the works for Goodbrand, who will initially join up with the club's academy, claims the Daily Mail's Craig Hope. There is also believed to have been interest from abroad in the teenager. 🚨 EXC: Newcastle are set to sign Oliver Goodbrand from Rangers. Highly rated 16-yr-old left back who had interest from abroad. Due on Tyneside for medical. Will go into the academy next season #nufc — Craig Hope (@CraigHope_DM) June 6, 2025 News of Goodbrand's exit comes as Rangers' interest in Conor Coady emerges. The Rangers Review revealed earlier today that the Ibrox club are considering a move for the England international following Russell Martin's appointment as head coach. Coady has played 10 times for his country and could replace Robin Propper, who is likely to leave amid interest from Dutch outfit FC Twente. "There are a few positions where we'll need to strengthen fairly quickly and fairly early on," new boss Martin recently told Sky Sports. "I'm also willing to be surprised and I'm open to being surprised by some of the players we have here. "I think the way we're going to try and work and play is going to give them the best chance to show us what they've got and to give us the best version of themselves and hopefully one or two surprises. "We'll need some help before that game for sure, but until we get in here and assess everyone, how many we'll need before the game or how realistic that is because football and the business and transfer window can be difficult. "I'm pretty sure by then we'll have one or two people [in], to help us add to the group."
