Time to ponder

The Premier League 2015/16 season has run its course (the Man Utd v Bournemouth rearranged game withstanding) and it is fair to say absolutely noone foresaw what it had in store. 

A handful of delusional punters may have backed Leicester at ridiculous odds last summer, but even those putting their cold hard cash on the Foxes were flabbergasted that Claudio Ranieri's men not only won the title - but won it losing just three games and with a whopping 10 point cushion.  

Only Man Utd in 99/00 & 12/13, Arsenal in 03/04 & Chelsea in 04/05 have won the #EPL with more points to spare than Leicester's 10. Stroll.

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) May 16, 2016

Here are five other statistical gems to marvel over on this (almost) post-season Monday. 

1. Harry Kane is the new Kevin Phillips.

Not satisified at coming from nowhere and finishing second in last season's Golden Boot race, Tottenham's Harry Kane went one better (well, four better in terms of goals) and won the award this season. Kane squeezed out last season's hotshot Sergio Aguero and 'Roy of the Rovers' Leicester striker Jamie Vardy - and joins Aguero and Southampton's Sadio Mane as the only players to score hat-tricks both this season and last. 

Kane is the 1st Englishman since Kevin Phillips 1999/2000 to win the #BPL Golden Boot. #GoldenBoot #Spurs pic.twitter.com/bzzeyQBDx0

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) May 15, 2016

2. Arsenal are beasts at Champions League qualification (and finishing higher than Spurs).

They may have utterly fluffed their lines when it comes to challenging Leicester for the title, but Arsene Wenger's Arsenal have, as ever, delivered Champions League football for next season. Olivier Giroud's hat-trick against Villa at the weekend enabled the Gunners to leapfrog Spurs in the Premier League table and maintained their incredible consistency in terms of Champions League qualification.  

Frenchmen to have scored #EPL hat-tricks: Henry, Saha, Anelka, Wiltord, Pires, Cantona & Giroud. Magnifique Seven. #afc #bpl #gunners

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) May 16, 2016

19 - Arsenal have qualified for the Champions League for the 19th consecutive season bettered only by Real Madrid (20). #AFC #UCL

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) May 16, 2016

If Chelsea snuffing out their Premier League aspirations and Arsenal nicking second wasn't enough to depress Spurs fans, then maybe the sheer length of time they have spent finishing below Arsenal in the Premier League table might do the trick.

Spurs have only finished above Arsenal in the #EPL twice (92/93 & 94/95). They haven't managed it now for 21 seasons & counting. #afc #coys

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) May 16, 2016

3. Wes Morgan is perhaps a greater leader than William Wallace. 

Previously very much under the radar at Nottingham Forest, Leicester City centre-back Wes Morgan has suddenly turned into a colossus at the King Power. Jamaican international Morgan's understanding with German Robert Huth at the heart of the Foxes' defence proved crucial during their successful title charge - which Morgan didn't miss a minute of. It seems only centre-backs and goalkeepers can manage a whole Premier League winning season. 

Pallister (92/93), Terry (14/15) & Morgan (15/16) are the only outfield players to play every minute of every game in an #EPL-winning season

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) May 16, 2016

4. Like Arsenal, Mesut Ozil went missing when it mattered.

German World Cup winner Mesut Ozil undoubtedly enjoyed a great season in 15/16 - his best in the Premier League to date. Ozil's 19 assists attest to the fact, the playmaker laying on more goals this season than Cesc Fabregas (7), Phillippe Coutinho (5) and Juan Mata (5) combined.

The vast majority of Ozil's assists, however, came before the turn of the year when Arsenal were positioning themselves for a title bid. A failed, disappointing, stalled-before-it-ever-really-got-started title bid, as it transpired. Ozil's creative juices drying up certainly didn't help the Gunners' cause. 

16 assists before the new year and just 3 in 2016. #BPL #EPL #Gunners pic.twitter.com/hGWPNgNW3W

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) May 15, 2016

5. Newcastle's away form sealed their fate.

Not many relegated teams finish the season spanking (albeit lapsed) title challengers 5-1 in front of a bumper crowd...but Newcastle United certainly aren't most teams. After splashing a fair amount of Mike Ashley's cash last summer (and again in January) noone ever thought the Magpies would find themselves in serious trouble at the end of the season.

Somehow, however, that is exactly where they find themselves - the Championship a notoriously difficult division to escape from. Sticking with Steve McClaren for so long may well have been Newcastle's greatest error, the former England coach unable to inspire his side at St James Park - which Rafa Benitez was already transforming into something of a fortress after just five games. 

#EPL points won at St James Park:
McClaren: 17 out of a possible 42 (40% - W4 D5 L5)
Benitez: 11 out of 15 (73% - W3 D2 L0) #nufc #bpl

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) May 16, 2016

Fewest away points won #EPL 15/16:
6 - VILLA (1 win, 3 draws)
9 - Newcastle (2 wins, 3 draws)
11 - Norwich (3 wins, 2 draws) #BPL

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) May 16, 2016