Everton: 13th
McNulty’s pre-season prediction: 11th
A season that was one of despair until Sean Dyche’s sacking in January ended full of hope. The Friedkin Group, ambitious new American owners, took charge, and David Moyes returned to inspire a superb revival.
Three successive league wins at the end, including victories at Fulham and Newcastle United, confirmed the improvement, but Moyes will still oversee a major squad overhaul.
Now it is off to the magnificent new stadium on the banks of the River Mersey after the men’s team bade an emotional farewell to Goodison Park.
A big summer lies ahead but Everton’s future looks so much brighter.
What McNulty said in August: “They will need luck with injuries to fulfil this forecast, as well as one or two more additions, but I do not see Everton struggling this season.”
West Ham United: 14th
McNulty’s pre-season prediction: 8th
A joyless season for the Hammers, who had high expectations following Julen Lopetegui’s arrival. It proved an ill-fated appointment. He was sacked after only six months in charge, while Graham Potter has been unable to engineer any significant improvement.
Potter can only really be judged once he has put his own stamp on the squad, with Jarrod Bowen the player he will build around, but no escaping this has been a desperate campaign.
What McNulty said in August: “Julen Lopetegui has replaced David Moyes, whose full worth to West Ham United may yet become clear in the months ahead, and not just because he won the Europa Conference League.”
Manchester United: 15th
McNulty’s pre-season prediction: 5th
Where do you even start?
When a manager, in this case Ruben Amorim, is offering public apologies on the pitch just six months after his appointment, you get the picture of just what a dreadful state a proud club is in.
Amorim also told supporters: “Good days are coming.” There is little evidence of this coming to pass at the end of United’s worst top-flight season since 1973-74.
They were an utter shambles. On and off the pitch, from the ill-judged (not to mention hugely expensive) decision to keep Erik ten Hag and extend his contract, then sack him, to the total lack of impact from successor Amorim after his arrival in November.
A run to the Europa League final threatened to cover up gaping cracks, as well as the growing discontent with part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, but United reverted to type with a mind-numbingly bad display in losing to Tottenham.
A head coach who seems uneasy in his role. A mediocre squad ill-suited to said coach’s preferred three at the back. Unpopular owners. Morale at the club rock bottom.
Other than that…
What McNulty said in August: “Erik ten Hag is still in a job after winning the FA Cup last season but he is surely realistic enough to know he needs a good start to stop speculation rearing its head again, even after signing a new contract.”
Wolverhampton Wanderers: 16th
McNulty’s pre-season prediction: 15th
Points then pints was the mantra of Wolves’ manager Vitor Pereira as he talked about sharing a drink with fans – and he got more than his share after he replaced sacked Gary O’Neil in December when they were second from bottom.
They had a tame end to the season, but Pereira brought new unity, leading to a revival which included six straight top-flight wins for the first time since 1970.
Wolves, who are likely to lose star striker Matheus Cunha to Manchester United, faded once safety was assured, but there is now cause for cautious optimism under the charismatic Pereira.
What McNulty said in August: “I think Wolves can avoid danger – and surely they will get a better deal from VAR this season.”
