Premier League 2021-22 review: the season’s best photos

This season we’ve received more than 800,000 Premier League pictures from staff, agency and freelance photographers. Here are some of the most emotive, arresting and creative images which capture the narrative of another explosive top-flight campaign.

The Premier League season began in explosive style on 13 August as Brentford, celebrating their return to the top flight after a 74-year absence, beat Arsenal 2-0. But the standout result of the opening weekend was Tottenham’s victory over champions Manchester City two days later, courtesy of Son Heung-min’s goal. Indeed, Tottenham were the only team to win all three league games in August. Meanwhile, £100m man Jack Grealish bundled home his first goal for City, and Michail Antonio led West Ham’s early-season charge.

Twelve years since his last performance for the Red Devils, Cristiano Ronaldo inevitably scored on his return to Manchester United as they swept aside Newcastle. Elsewhere, Tottenham suffered a crushing month with 3-0 defeats to Crystal Palace and Chelsea as well as a 3-1 reverse in the north London derby at Arsenal; Everton’s promising home form under Rafael Benítez continued with wins over Norwich and Burnley; and a 95th-minute equaliser by Neal Maupay for Brighton against bitter rivals Palace led to ugly scenes in the tunnel. The world of football also paid tribute to Jimmy Greaves, the former Tottenham, Chelsea, West Ham and England striker, who died aged 81.

Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah was the star of October, winning both player of the month and goal of the month. The Egyptian produced a mesmeric strike during a 5-0 drubbing of Watford – he waltzed between three defenders, Cruyff-turned another and then swept his shot into the far corner. Salah then scored