2016 Premier League highlights

Chelsea on top of EPL Table going into 2017

Going into Match Week 19, Chelsea remain on top with 43 points. Antonio Conte’s Chelsea side moved seven points clear at the top of the EPL Table after the Blues 3-0 win against Bournemouth, setting a club record of 12 straight Premier League wins, and giving up only 2 goals during this run. Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool are in second place with 40 points, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City are close behind in third with 39 points, Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal are in fourth with 37 points, Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham Hotspur are in fifth with 36 points, Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United are in sixth with 33 points, and Ronald Koeman’s Everton is in seventh with 26 points. Sunderland, Swansea, and Hull are at the bottom of the table.

Looking back at 2016, there were some standout moments in the England Premier League. Here are some of them.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic transfers to Manchester United

Superstar striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic transferred to Manchester United from French Ligue 1 league champions Paris Saint Germain. Ibra is currently tied with Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez as the second highest goal scorer in the England Premier League 2016-17 campaign with 12 goals, after Chelsea’s Diego Costa who has 13 goals to date. Ibrahimovic is Europe’s second highest goal scorer to date in 2016, behind only Lionel Messi. Ibra may become Europe's “Goal King” for 2016 if he scores 2 goals this weekend against Middlesbrough on Sunday, December 31, 2016 – New Year’s Eve. Great last minute seats for the game are still available.

Buy legal, guaranteed Manchester United v Middlesbrough tickets now from the safe and secure LiveFootballTickets.com football tickets marketplace.

Leicester City win Premier League title and earn spot in Champions League

Leicester's 2015-16 title triumph amazed soccer fans around the globe. Leicester's Premier League title win will go down as one of the most memorable moments in football history as the Foxes collected EPL silverware, and are doing well with their hard-earned-spot in the Champions League after an incredible run under the leadership of manager Claudio Ranieri. Leicester stunned soccer fans world-wide as they defeated their nearest rivals, mighty Manchester City with an undeniably brilliant 3-1 victory on February 6. 2016 to move five points clear. Foxes captain Wes Morgan and his side danced around top goal-scorer Jamie Vardy's kitchen as they watched Tottenham Hotspur draw with Chelsea giving Leicester City the title.

Jurgen Klopp becomes Liverpool manager, Jose Mourinho is new boss at Man United, Antonio Conte leads Chelsea to top of EPL, Pep Guardiola off to great start at Manchester City

The England Premier League has changed dramatically with the hiring of new celebrity managers including Jurgen Klopp who led Liverpool to a 5-4 win against Norwich in January with a stunning display of attacking, defending, and goal-scoring. Norwich were 3-1 ahead in the second half, and 4-4 in injury time when the Red’s Adam Lallana's late winner earned the victory. Former Chelsea manager and new Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho was named 'The Special One' after winning seven trophies for Chelsea during his two terms as manager. Mourinho left Stamford Bridge after leading Chelsea down into the lower half of the EPL table, taking the manager’s job for United last summer.

Fighting broke out at Etihad Stadium earlier in December 2016 as Manchester City and Chelsea sides clashed in an ugly scene after Antionio Conte’s Chelsea side won 3-1. Under the Italian manager’s leadership, the Blues are six points clear at the top of the Premier League Table going into 2017. After winning three La Liga and three Bundesliga titles, Pep Guardiola has made his debut in the England Premier League managing wealthy titan club Manchester City. City enjoyed their eighth win in eight matches, after defeating Bournemouth 4-0 with Guardiola in charge. City's winning run ended in September in Guardiola's 11th match as new boss, when they drew with Celtic in the Champions League.

Arsene Wenger at Arsenal for twenty years

Twenty years ago in September, Frenchman Arsene Wenger left Japanese side Grampus Eight to take over as new boss of Arsenal as only the third foreign manager to take charge of a Premier League club. After twenty years at Arsenal, Wenger can point with pride to 15 trophies, a new stadium, and almost £700m spent on players he hired, Wenger is the longest serving and most successful overseas manager in the history of England football. Wenger celebrated his anniversary at Turf Moor, where his side defeated Burnley 1-0, with the only goal of the game from Laurent Koscielny.

Sam Allardyce

Sunderland enjoyed a big win under boss Big Sam Allardyce with their 3-0 victory over Everton in one of the most exciting games of the season that saved Sunderland from relegation. Allardyce went on to become England manager for only 58 days when he was fired.

Marcus Rashford makes debut

Teenage striker Marcus Rashford made his Manchester United debut in February 2016. Popular youngster Rashford who was born Wythenshawe scored twice on his debut against FC Midtjylland. Three days later, Rashford added two more goals to his new tally as United beat giant club Arsenal 3-2. Rashford is now a regular starter on United’s and England’s first-teams. Buy Manchester United tickets and watch Rashford live in action.

West Ham get new stadium

On May 10, 2016 West Ham left Upton Park stadium after 112 years to move to their new home ground, the Olympic Stadium. West Ham’s final match at Upton Park was against Manchester United who led 2-1 with 18 minutes left after Anthony Martial's double. Goals from Michail Antonio and Winston Reid turned the match around and gave West Ham the victory. The match was followed by an extravagant closing ceremony, featuring fireworks, a light show, and a bevy of former West Ham players touring around the pitch in London taxi cabs.

See out the old year and see in 2017 watching your favorite football team on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Happy football in 2017! Buy the very best 2017 football tickets at great prices from LiveFootballTickets.com