Premier League thoughts 2020-21 to the end of the season.

Well done to City, United, Liverpool and Chelsea.

Did Everton make Europe?
Not quite

Final table.

So Man Utd completed the season without losing away from home. 2nd place in the end. Many would have taken that at the beginning of the season. In the end it was a comfortable runners up position.

Next season.

What team do you support, John?
I believe you are living in Lancashire.

I was always a West Ham fan, like the rest of my family. I used to watch them play at Upton Park as a youngster. But I drifted away a bit when I moved to Manchester, where I lived within a brisk 20 minute walk of the Man U ground for over 20 years. So my son is a Man U fan. Unlike the rest of my family who are still loyal and ardent West Ham fanatics.

My closest teams now are Preston NE and Blackpool.

Aside from the relegated teams, I think Everton must be the most disappointing team of 2020/21, beating out Arsenal and Tottenham. All the optimism and solid start ultimately saw them finish behind Leeds!

Arsenal has been on the decline for a few years, so their 8th place is disappointing, but not a huge surprise. Tottenham's 7th place will see their squad broken up, but they'll bring in big money for Kane.

Everton invested big. High profile manager. But they haven't progressed from Koeman, Fat Sam and Silva. It shows the hyper competitive scene of the Premier League between positions 5-13. It doesn't just require big bucks, but it requires a hell of a lot luck with good recruitment as demonstrated by West Ham.

Ah, West Ham.
You must be happy getting into Europe

I remember the present West Ham manager Moyes taking Everton to the Champions League in 2005 only to be knocked out by Villareal.

From 2nd place on boxing day to finishing 10th
Maybe I'm a delusional optimist but I think Ancelotti will do much better in his 2nd season.
I have a feeling the Brands and the present board will not be swayed by the unrealistic requests of previous managers. Kenwright is a softie whose heart overruled his brain.

And Europa cup victory awaits them on Wednesday.

Talking of Preston NE. I visited there a couple of years ago and there were larger than life pictures of David Moyes and David Beckham on the walls. Both players there I recall. And Moyes managed there too.

Ancelloti expressing surprise at the final Everton league position...

How does he manage that?

That's not him being surprised. His raised left eyebrow is the stuff of legend.
A google image search will attest to this.
Even my son has it off to a fine art now, and cracks me up every time he does it.

Carlo Ancelotti reveals he has absolutely no control over his eyebrows:

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport...-star-trek-cameo-eyebrow-videos-a7353896.html

As a player, can you imagine the goalkeeper cracking up with laughter if Ancelloti was taking a penalty?