In what was a three-horse race for nearly the entire campaign, Manchester City became the first English side to win four straight titles –Pep Guardiola's side overcoming a rough run of form before Christmas to once again hold off challenges from Arsenal and Liverpool (despite only taking top spot in the penultimate week having topped the table for almost the whole of the start of the season to the November international break), finishing with both 91 points and their first unbeaten league season at the Etihad for 12 years as well as securing victory in the UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup. Arsenal finished in 2nd place for the second successive season, but unlike last year, the Gunners this time took the battle for the title to the last day (despite spending less time at the top), helped in no small part by an extraordinary run of form in 2024, even going the season unbeaten against City and Liverpool, only slip-ups during the Christmas period proving costly to the North London side who also reached the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since 2010, only being knocked out by a narrow defeat to Bayern Munich. In what turned out to beJürgen Klopp's final season, Liverpool remained in the top three for virtually the entire campaign and even led the table for nearly the entire winter whilst being in contention for an unprecedented quadruple until a collapse in form in the spring saw them exit both the Europa League and the FA Cup, whilst a succession of dropped points in the league enabled City and Arsenal to overtake, nonetheless securing a third placed finish and improving on the previous season, while also winning the League Cup for the second time in three seasons.Unai Emery's first full season in charge of Aston Villa was deemed a success as the Villans qualified for Europe's top competition for the first time since 1983, as well as reaching the Conference League semi-finals - perhaps the only disappointment being early exits in both domestic cup competitions.
Tottenham Hotspur's first season without star strikerHarry Kane and under Australian head coachAnge Postecoglou proved to be turbulent; despite a good start, finishing October top of the table and unbeaten after ten games, an injury crisis and indifferent form across the rest of the campaign took their toll on the North London club, though finishing fifth place and securing a return to European football. Chelsea languished in mid-table for most of the campaign as they suffered from greatly inconsistent form, despite reaching the final of the League Cup, but the Blues went on a resurgence from mid-February that propelled them up the table, helped by the free goal-scoring efforts of summer signingCole Palmer, who finished as the division's second-highest scorer with 22 goals, to secure a sixth-place finish and a return to European football; their season, however, was tempered by former Tottenham managerMauricio Pochettino's sudden departure after just one year in charge shortly after the last game. An extensive injury crisis saw Newcastle United's campaign fizzle out early on, with early exits in both their domestic competitions and the Champions League – with only a decent resurgence in form from the end of January ensuring a seventh-place finish (and because of Manchester United's FA Cup win it was not enough to secure what would have been European football in successive seasons for the first time since 2006). Manchester United endured a very disappointing season, suffering early exits in the Champions League and Carabao Cup, on top of poor league form not being helped by an extensive injury crisis as the Red Devils finished with a negative goal difference and suffered their lowest league finish, 8th, in 34 years, all combining to put pressure on managerErik ten Hag; the season, however, ended on a bright note as the club won its 13th FA Cup, overcoming league champions and crosstown rivals Manchester City in the final (and thus securing European football for the following season).
In contrast to their unexpected qualifying for the Europa League last season, Brighton and Hove Albion's season rapidly faded out as the Seagulls won just seven games after September to miss out on the top ten (also failing to keep a clean sheet until the New Year); their very first European campaign saw them reach the last 16 of the Europa League, bowing out with a heavy first-leg loss to Roma, with head coachRoberto De Zerbi announcing his departure after the season's end. West Ham United were another team that saw their season fizzle out; whilst they remained in the top-seven battle for much longer, a collapse in form in the New Year saw the Hammers slip out of the race and capped a disappointing end to what was managerDavid Moyes' final season in charge, which also included a run to the Europa League quarter-finals. A run of form that saw only three wins between October and April saw Crystal Palace once more sucked into the relegation fight, the Eagles seeing managerRoy Hodgson resign in mid-February following a health scare amid reports of a potential sacking and being replaced byOliver Glasner; the London club recovered remarkably, embarking on a great late resurgence - which included thumping victories over Manchester United and Aston Villa among others - to equal their highest Premier League finish of 10th. The shock pre-season decision by Bournemouth to sack head coachGary O'Neil in favour of SpaniardAndoni Iraola ended up proving to be an inspired choice, only terrible form at both ends of the season and a lengthy winless run after Christmas preventing the Cherries from a potential race for European qualification, their highlights including a first ever away win at Manchester United.
For only the second time in Premier League history, and first since 1998, all three promoted sides were relegated straight back to the Championship, in a relegation battle impacted by points deductions for financial irregularities; Sheffield United secured one of the lowest points total for a newly-promoted side whilst breaking the unwanted records held by both Swindon Town and Derby County for goals conceded in a top-flight season (Swindon having conceded 100 goals in 42 games and Derby 89 goals in 38 games), their cause not being helped by the sacking of managerPaul Heckingbottom in early December who was then replaced by former managerChris Wilder and finishing with 104 goals conceded. Burnley finished above them, also enduring a disappointing return to the top-flight, the Clarets, and managerVincent Kompany, earning praise for their continued attacking tactics but completely failing to transfer these tactics into results, their two biggest wins coming against The Blades. In spite of a remarkable goal-scoring record (the best for a play-off winning side since Blackpool) and some impressive results, including taking four points off both Newcastle and Everton, Luton Town filled the last relegation place in their first top-flight season since 1992, the Hatters' failure to turn their goals into results, as well as a terrible defensive record, going against them. In spite of enduring points deductions twice, having a total of eight points deducted, Everton managed to secure safety with several weeks to go - despite a lengthy winless run extending from Christmas to early April, the Toffees went on a late run of 17 points from the last nine games to extend their 70-year stay in the top-flight. Brentford endured a tough season as injuries to key players and a lengthy ban for star strikerIvan Toney received in the penultimate week of the previous season plunged the Bees into the relegation mire, only a couple of late wins helping them scrape to safety. Nottingham Forest were also involved in the relegation battle for nearly the entire season, with managerSteve Cooper being sacked in mid-December and replaced byNuno Espirito Santo, the club's position worsening from a four-point deduction imposed in March, but still the Reds secured their top-flight stay for another season while also finishing the campaign with 32 points, the lowest total to secure top-flight safety - breaking the record set by West Bromwich Albion in 2005.
Source:Premier League Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) If the champions, relegated teams or qualified teams for UEFA competitions cannot be determined by rules 1 to 3, rules 4.1 to 4.3 are applied – 4.1) Points gained in head-to-head record between such teams; 4.2) Away goals scored in head-to-head record between such teams; 4.3) Play-offs[10] (C) Champions;(R) Relegated Notes:
^Since the winners of the2023–24 EFL Cup, Liverpool, qualified for the Champions League, the spot given to the League Cup winners (Conference League play-off round) was passed to the sixth-placed team.
^Manchester United qualified for the Europa League league phase as the2023–24 FA Cup winners.
^Everton were deducted eight points for breaching profitability and sustainability rules. They were originally deducted ten points but this was reduced to six after an appeal. The club were then deducted an additional two points for further PSR breaches.[4][5][6]
^Nottingham Forest were deducted four points for breaching profitability and sustainability rules. The club appealed the decision but were unsuccessful.[7][8][9]
In a remarkable Championship campaign, with vital table positions left open heading into the last matchday, Leicester City secured an immediate return to the Premier League as champions; the Foxes had looked uncatchable up until February, when a bad run of form allowed the teams behind to close the gap - and despite the title race becoming a three-horse one for much of the spring,Enzo Maresca's side recovered impressively in the closing weeks to comfortably win the second tier title for a record eighth time. Ipswich Town remarkably finished 2nd, amassing 96 points, a record for a second-placed team; the Tractor Boys remained in the top six for the entire campaign, against all odds, occupying 2nd place for virtually the entire first half of the season and even overcoming poor runs of form either sides of January and in April, to end their 22-year exile from the Premier League in style and become only the fifth side to win successive promotions from the third tier to the top flight, an achievement that earned coachKieran McKenna and his side universal praise. The play-off final ended up being between the other relegated sides in Leeds United and Southampton, with Southampton ultimately winning out to earn head coachRussell Martin promotion in his first season at the club, the Saints overcoming a bad start to embark on a club record unbeaten run and only falling away from the top two by virtue of indifferent form in the closing months.
Leeds United overcame a slow start to the campaign, a spectacular run of form in 2024 propelling them into the automatic promotion race, but a familiar end-of-the-season slump saw the Whites finish 3rd despite amassing 90 points, a tally that would have seen automatic promotion in almost every other season; their play-off final defeat continued their run of not having won a competitive final of any description since the1972 FA Cup final. Both Middlesbrough and Coventry City failed to emulate last season's success of reaching the play-offs, as they finished 8th and 9th respectively, Boro's hopes of another play-off finish dented by a failure to win their first seven games, whereas the Sky Blues never looked like mounting a serious play-off challenge, not helped by a terrible end to their season either, although both clubs made up for it with impressive cup runs, Middlesbrough reaching the Carabao Cup semi-finals and even beating Chelsea in the first leg before suffering a heavy second leg defeat, whilst Coventry reached the FA Cup semi-finals, forcing extra time against Manchester United despite falling 3–0 behind and only losing on penalties, in a match where they even had a 120-minute goal marginally ruled out for offside. On the other hand, Sunderland fared worse than these two despite starting the season quite well until hiringMichael Beale from Rangers. At the time of the appointment, they looked to be challenging for a second successive top 6 finish but results started to collapse and later sacking him, replacing him withMike Dodds. The black cats eventually came from play off push in March to barely avoiding a second relegation in six years and finishing 16th, only surviving by just six points, a season failure.
Plymouth Argyle's first season at this level in 13 years was troublesome, the club remaining all season long in the bottom half of the table but having no real fear of relegation until their form worsened following the departure of promotion-winning managerSteven Schumacher to Stoke City, dragging the Pilgrims into the relegation battle in the New Year, ultimately staying up thanks to a last-matchday victory. Sheffield Wednesday completed their own "Great Escape"; the club spent all but four matchdays in the bottom three, beginning the season with just three points from 13 games, until the hiring of 34-year-old GermanDanny Röhl - the youngest manager in the Football League - provided an uplift in the Owls' fortunes, with several runs of good form - including a run of 14 points from their last six games, ensuring a second successive season in the second tier. Queens Park Rangers also spent a large part of the season looking likely for relegation, at some point even being several points from safety, but the hiring of SpaniardMartí Cifuentes provided the club with enough spark to gradually climb its way out of the bottom three, whilst Blackburn Rovers overcame a bad run of form that saw the Lancashire club secure just five wins after November to avoid a second relegation to League One in seven years, with top scorerSammie Szmodics finishing as the division's top goalscorer and almost single-handedly pulling his team over the line.
In a dramatic relegation battle, with several sides in the mix up until the closing weeks, Rotherham United became the first side in the Football League to suffer relegation, in a season where they had four managers and failed to win a single away game (the Millers securing just nine away wins in their last five Championship seasons), returning to League One after a two-year spell; the only bright spot was an upturn in form after the return of successful former managerSteve Evans late in the season, which at least prevented them from equalling their own record for the lowest-ever second tier points total. The other two relegation positions were decided on the last matchday; Huddersfield Town became the second team to be relegated, the Terriers' emphatic downward spiral since the departure of influential managerCarlos Corberán after losing in the play-off final two years ago taking its toll, in a turbulent season where they changed managers twice and returned to the third tier after 12 years away, having played in the Premier League as recently as 2019. Making even bigger headlines were Birmingham City, the Blues enduring their first relegation to the third tier since 1995 – the Midlands club had actually made a bright start, only for the controversial sacking of head coachJohn Eustace in favour ofWayne Rooney to prove a farcical decision, the club falling to barely above the drop zone on New Year's Day; in the end, another four managers would be appointed before the end of April (with Rooney's replacement inTony Mowbray lasting just eight games before a medical leave of absence) but even the return of former managerGary Rowett failed to stop the Blues' slide into the drop zone in spite of a final-day victory.
InJohn Mousinho's first full season at the helm, Portsmouth won the League One title, topping the table for virtually the entire season and ending their 12-year exile from the Championship in style, only a somewhat poor run of form during and after Christmas preventing Pompey from breaking the 100-point mark - as the club finally secured its first promotion under American ownerMichael Eisner. In a tense race, Derby County finished second, overcoming a slow start to rocket up the table after November and returning to the Championship after two seasons in the third tier, winning their first promotion since 2007 in the process and earning managerPaul Warne his fourth promotion as a manager in seven years - narrowly edging out Bolton Wanderers, who then narrowly missed out in the play-offs, losing the final to Oxford United; the U's enjoyed a remarkable season, staying in the promotion chase from the beginning and even overcoming both the loss of managerLiam Manning to Bristol City and a rough run of form in the New Year to edge back into the top six on the last day, before winning at Wembley and ending a 25-year absence from the second tier.
Blackpool failed to mount a substantial play-off challenge, a late rally proving too little too late in managerNeil Critchley's first season back in charge as indifferent form for the entire campaign ultimately took its toll on the Seasiders. The other two sides relegated from the Championship, Wigan and Reading, had their seasons marred by financial difficulties and points deductions; especially Reading, who even looked likely for a second successive relegation for nearly the entire season, only pulling away from the bottom four in the spring, amid increasing fan protests against ownerDai Yongge, which culminated in a pitch invasion that led to a match over Port Vale in January being abandoned. Charlton Athletic, who competed in the Championship four years ago, endured a turbulent season, going through five different managers, a long winless run mid-season dragging the Addicks into the relegation mire; the appointment of former Luton and Southampton managerNathan Jones provided the club with enough spark to avoid a potential relegation battle - as they went on a long unbeaten run - but 16th place was still the lowest in the club's history since the pre-World War II years. The three automatically promoted sides had quite good seasons back in the third tier; Leyton Orient managed an 11th place finish, never being threatened with relegation and even looking likely to sneak into the play-offs during late winter, in their first season back at this level in eight years. Stevenage, in their first season in League One since 2014, occupied a play-off position for the bulk of the season, only missing out by a poor run of form after February, while Northampton Town, back after two years in the bottom tier, spent the entire season in mid-table and finished in 14th place - their highest in the Football League in 16 years.
Carlisle United never got back to grips with life in League One, in their first season at this tier for ten years, and were relegated in last place, sealing an immediate return to League Two - with even a couple of late wins coming too late for the Cumbrians. Port Vale suffered a complete collapse in form after briefly reaching second place in mid-September, winning just five games after that point and suffering relegation after two years in this tier, despite the appointment of experienced managerDarren Moore. Despite changing three managers, Fleetwood Town never looked likely to escape relegation as they fell in the bottom four after the fourth game and never left it, returning to League Two after ten years and suffering the very first relegation as the current incarnation of the club. The battle to avoid the final relegation spot proved very tight; in the end, Cheltenham took the last spot, never managing to fully recover from a terrible start that saw them fail to score in any of their first eleven games, and thus bringing the Robins' three-year spell in the division to an end, albeit managing to avoid finishing with the worst goals scored record for the campaign. Burton Albion and Cambridge United both came perilously close to relegation in the last few matchdays, but both clubs managed to just pull themselves over the line, to secure their status for the next season.
Source:EFL Official Website Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results; 5) Wins; 6) Away goals; 7) Penalty points (sec 9.5); 8) 12-point sending off offences[17] (C) Champions;(O) Play-off winners;(P) Promoted;(R) Relegated Notes:
^On 19 May 2023, Wigan Athletic were deducted four points for failing to pay players and staff on time following previous EFL rules breaches in the 2022–23 season.[12] Another four-point deduction was applied on 26 May, after the club's owners missed a deadline to deposit an amount equalling 125% of its monthly wage bill.[13]
^On 16 August 2023, Reading were deducted one point for failing to pay players on time and in full on three occasions in the 2022–23 season.[14] Another 3-point deduction was applied on 13 September, for failing to deposit wages on time.[15] Another 2-point deduction was applied on 27 February, due to late HMRC payments.[16]
In what proved to be quite a one-sided promotion race, with all top three teams securing their place with three matchdays to go, Stockport County bounced back from their play-off final loss last year and secured the League Two title, putting a slow start behind them to return to League One after 14 years and give managerDave Challinor his second promotion in three years. Wrexham's meteoric rise continued, as the club's long-awaited return to the Football League ended with the Welsh side securing their second straight promotion and a place in the third tier for the first time in 19 years, the Red Dragons solidifying themselves in the top seven in early October and gradually surging up the table, perhaps only missing out on another title because of their inferior away record and a slow start. Mansfield Town finished 3rd; the Stags remained in the top seven for virtually the entire season and even looked likely to snatch the title from Stockport, missing out by a couple of losses in March and April - their season was nonetheless rendered an immense success, the club returning to the third tier after 21 years away. Qualifying for the play-off final were Crewe Alexandra and Crawley Town, both of whom only managed to secure their play-off places on the final day but defied expectations in the semi-finals; ultimately emerging victorious were Crawley Town, the Red Devils winning on their first ever visit to Wembley to end a nine-year exile from League One and cap a triumphant first full season in charge for managerScott Lindsey, just one season after the club had barely escaped relegation from the Football League.
Having begun their season with a run of just two points in seven games and looking like battling relegation all season long, Doncaster Rovers ended their campaign with a spectacular last-season surge - including a ten-game winning streak - to secure a fifth-place finish before losing out on penalties to Crewe Alexandra. Barrow enjoyed their best season since returning to the Football League, remaining in the top seven for most of the season, but a terrible run of just two points from seven games in April, coupled with Doncaster's late meteoric rise, meant they failed to reach the play-offs, a consequence of drawing their last game. Notts County, in their first season back in the Football League after four years, began on a very bright note as they mounted a serious play-off challenge; the Magpies' form tailed off badly in the New Year, however, after promotion-winning managerLuke Williams departed for Swansea in early January, and the club finished in 14th, in a season awash with 175 goals, translated into an attacking record only bettered by Stockport and Mansfield, but a defensive one worse even than the two relegated sides. Harrogate Town enjoyed their best season to date with a 13th place finish, even reaching a playoff position as late as the end of February - however, only three wins from Valentine's Day onward caused them to falter down the stretch.
Just two years after winning promotion to the third tier, Forest Green Rovers finished bottom and suffered a second consecutive relegation, falling back into non-league football after seven years, amid a dreadful season that saw several managerial changes, including the sacking of player-managerTroy Deeney in the aftermath of a post-match rant about the mentality of the squad. The battle for the last relegation place went to the final day, with Sutton United sliding back into non-league football after three years amid a rough campaign, the London side's hopes being let down by a number of draws in winnable games including a 4–4 draw on the final day of the season. Colchester United flirted with relegation on several occasions throughout the season but managed to just pull themselves over the line following a late improvement in form, securing their survival on the final matchday.
Source:EFL Official Website Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results; 5) Wins; 6) Away goals; 7) Penalty points (sec 9.5); 8) 12-point sending off offences[19] (C) Champions;(O) Play-off winners;(P) Promoted;(R) Relegated Notes:
^On 11 April 2024, Morecambe were deducted three points for failing to pay players and staff on time following previous EFL rules breaches in the 2023–24 season.[18]
In one of the most one-sided title races in the fifth tier, Chesterfield ended their six-year absence from the Football League in some style, giving managerPaul Cook his second promotion with the club exactly a decade after his first, with perhaps the only disappointment in the campaign being their poor defensive record (worse than relegated Kidderminster Harriers) and a poor run of form after winning the title to stop them breaking the goal and points records set by Wrexham and Notts County the previous season. The play-off final ended up being between Bromley and Solihull Moors, a fantastic achievement for both clubs considering neither had played in the Football League - in the end, the final came down to penalties for the second year in a row, with Bromley coming out on top, securing Ravens managerAndy Woodman his first managerial promotion and ensuring a second success in two years at Wembley for the club, having won the FA Trophy final in 2022 against Wrexham.
Despite finishing sixth in the table, a remarkable achievement considering the departure of their manager only a few months into the season, Gateshead were excluded from the play-offs due to ground ownership issues, the first time any team had been excluded from the fifth tier's promotion processes since Stevenage were denied automatic promotion for similar reasons in 1996. Southend United endured a turbulent season on and off the pitch, facing the threat of liquidation in the early months of the season before finally gaining new ownership - on the pitch, their campaign would have seen them qualify for the play-offs if not for a ten-point deduction imposed for financial irregularities. Hartlepool United and Rochdale, both relegated from the Football League the previous season, ultimately endured disappointing seasons; whilst both finished in the top half of the table, neither looked like coming close to securing an immediate return to League Two, the latter facing financial uncertainty off the pitch on top of poor league results.
Oxford City's first-ever season at this level resulted in immediate relegation, largely in part due to a poor second half of the season that saw them fall to the bottom of the table. Dorking Wanderers were relegated after two seasons, also being let down by underwhelming form in the New Year as a failure to get any wins from their final eleven fixtures proved fatal. Kidderminster Harriers' first season at this level in eight years proved to be disappointing, a terrible first half of the season ultimately proving too much to overcome, though the team did surprise by finishing with a better defensive record than Chesterfield. Boreham Wood occupied the final relegation spot, bringing an end to nine years at this level, and going down with the highest-ever points total for a side relegated from the fifth tier, just one season after narrowly missing out on the play-off final.
Source:National League official site Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Number of matches won; 5) Head-to-head results (C) Champions;(O) Play-off winners;(P) Promoted;(R) Relegated Notes:
^While Altrincham originally qualified for the play-off quarter-finals, Gateshead's exclusion meant that Altrincham were awarded awalkover win and progressed directly the semi-finals.
^Gateshead were excluded from the play-offs due to not meeting the Football League's ground ownership requirements.
^Southend United were deducted ten points for failing to pay debt to HMRC.[20]
Source:National League official site Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Number of matches won; 5) Head-to-head results (C) Champions;(O) Play-off winners;(P) Promoted;(R) Relegated
Source:National League official site Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Number of matches won; 5) Head-to-head results (C) Champions;(O) Play-off winners;(P) Promoted;(R) Relegated Notes:
^On 13 March 2024, Torquay United were deducted ten points after the club submitted its intention to appoint administrators.[21] Another one-point deduction was applied on 12 April, for fielding a suspended player.[22]
30 September 2023: Manchester City remain top of the Premier League at the end of September despite the end of their perfect record in the league, standing a point ahead of Spurs and Arsenal. Liverpool, Villa, Brighton and West Ham United complete the top seven. Sheffield United have dropped to the bottom of the league on goal difference, courtesy of a record-breaking 8–0 home defeat to Newcastle United. Burnley and Bournemouth complete the bottom three. Newly promoted Ipswich Town lead the Championship at September's end, with Leicester and Preston also contending for automatic promotion. Sunderland, Hull City and Cardiff City are in the play-off places, Norwich City only missing out on goal difference. Sheffield Wednesday remain bottom, Rotherham have dropped into the bottom three, and Middlesbrough have climbed out of the drop zone on goals scored at the expense of Queens Park Rangers.
31 October 2023: October ends with Spurs top of the Premier League, two points clear of Arsenal and Manchester City. Liverpool and Villa are the other two teams in the Champions League hunt, with Newcastle and Brighton five points behind Villa. Sheffield United, the only team in the top four divisions without a league win, prop up the Premier League. Bournemouth have climbed clear of the relegation zone at the expense of Luton Town, but Burnley remain in the relegation zone. Leicester now lead the Championship, five points clear of Ipswich; for their part, Ipswich are nine points clear of third-placed Leeds with a game in hand and look well placed for a second consecutive promotion. Cardiff are the only team to remain in the play-off zone from September, now joined by Southampton and West Bromwich Albion. Rotherham, QPR and Sheffield Wednesday remain in the relegation zone.
30 November 2023: Arsenal climb to the top of the Premier League table at the end of November, a point ahead of Manchester City. Poor form has seen Spurs drop behind Liverpool and Villa out of the Champions League spaces and into fifth, with Manchester United and Newcastle rounding out the top seven. A ten-point deduction for breaching profitability and sustainability rules has seen Everton drop in the relegation zone, only ahead of Burnley on goal difference. Sheffield United have finally won a game and are 18th but are four points adrift of Luton in 17th. Leicester and Ipswich continue to set the pace in the Championship, though the gap between Leicester and third-placed Leeds has shrunk to eight points. Southampton and West Brom remain in the top six, with Hull replacing Cardiff. At the other end of the table, the situation is growing increasingly dire for QPR and Rotherham, who are respectively six and seven points adrift of 21st-placed Huddersfield. Things are even worse for Sheffield Wednesday, who are 12 points away from safety.
31 December 2023: The new year arrives with Liverpool top of the Premier League, ahead of Aston Villa on goal difference and with a game in hand. Arsenal and Manchester City are two points behind. Tottenham remain in the title conversation as they are only three points behind Liverpool. West Ham and Manchester United lead the charge for the top seven, but with only three points separating Manchester United in 7th and Wolverhampton Wanderers in 11th with half the season played. Everton have escaped the relegation zone at Luton's expense, though Luton have a game in hand and are only a point behind. Burnley and Sheffield United are in danger of being cut adrift, being five and seven points away from safety respectively. Leicester continue to lead the way in the Championship and look good bets for an automatic return to the Premier League, though Ipswich's automatic promotion charge is being threatened by third-placed Southampton, who are three points behind. Leeds, West Brom and Hull remain in the play-off zone, as do Sheffield Wednesday, QPR, and Rotherham in the relegation zone, though Huddersfield are still in danger with only eight points between them and bottom-placed Rotherham.
31 January 2024: Liverpool have extended their lead over joint second Manchester City and Arsenal at the top of the league to five points by the end of January, though City have a game in hand. Spurs are ahead of Villa in the coveted fourth place on goals scored, with West Ham and Newcastle completing the top seven. Luton have jumped ahead of Everton again to finish January out of the relegation zone, with a game in hand over the Merseyside club. Burnley and Sheffield United remain in the relegation zone. In the Championship, Leicester have extended their lead at the top to ten points and it is increasingly becoming a matter of when, not if, they will confirm their immediate return to the Premier League. Ipswich, Southampton and Leeds look destined to contend for second place. West Brom and Coventry City complete the top six, though with just over a third of the season to go, only six points separate 6th and 13th. The Championship relegation zone is unchanged, but Huddersfield continue to look over their shoulders with QPR just three points behind.
29 February 2024: Liverpool remain top at the end of February, but with only two points separating them, Arsenal, and Manchester City, the title race looks set to go down to the wire. Aston Villa have gone four points clear of Spurs in fourth, though Spurs have a game in hand. Manchester United and Brighton round out the top seven, with West Ham, Wolves, Newcastle and Chelsea also in contention. Burnley and Sheffield United remain deep in relegation trouble, but Everton have jumped clear of Luton after their points deduction was reduced to six points by appeal, throwing Nottingham Forest and Brentford into the relegation battle. Leicester's lead in the Championship has been reduced to six points after consecutive losses, with Leeds and Ipswich tied for second; Southampton have also stumbled during February and are five points behind in fourth. West Brom remain in the top six, joined again by Hull. The makeup of the Championship relegation zone has changed for the first time since October, as QPR have climbed above Stoke City on goal difference. Sheffield Wednesday are three points behind, and Millwall, Huddersfield, and Birmingham face a relegation struggle too. The losers of that struggle will almost certainly be joined by Rotherham, who are 16 points adrift of safety.
31 March 2024: Liverpool lead the table at the end of March, but the title race remains wide open as Arsenal and Manchester City are two and three points behind the Reds, respectively. Aston Villa have a three-point lead on Tottenham in the coveted 4th place, although Spurs still have a game in hand. Manchester United and West Ham complete the top seven, but 7th to 13th are separated by just six points. Sheffield United prop up the table and look doomed, while a good run of form has seen Burnley move to within four points of safety; Luton Town occupy 18th place, tied on points with Nottingham Forest who have suffered a four-point deduction, while Everton - who face another looming points deduction - and Brentford are still in the battle to avoid relegation. In the Championship, the race for the title as well as automatic promotion has turned into a three-horse one, as one point separates 1st-placed Ipswich and 2nd-placed Leeds, with another point separating the Whites from 3rd-placed Leicester - the Foxes having fallen off the top of the table for the first time since September following an alarming decline in form, although they have a game in hand over the two sides above them. Southampton are nine points behind the automatic promotion places although with two games in hand - one against Leicester - while West Brom and Norwich round out the top six. Rotherham will be relegated if they fail to win on Easter Monday, while Sheffield Wednesday and Huddersfield join them in the bottom three. Birmingham are outside the relegation zone on goal difference, but with 16th to 23rd separated by five points, this year's relegation battle is everything but decided at this point.
5 April 2024:Rotherham United become the first side in the Football League to suffer relegation following their 1–0 home defeat toPlymouth Argyle, ending their two-year stay in the Championship.
8 April 2024: Everton suffer another two-point deduction, making it a total of eight points deducted this season and, in the process, becoming the first side in English top-flight history to suffer two points deductions in a single season.
13 April 2024:Stockport County andWrexham become the first sides in this season's Football League to clinch promotion, from League Two to League One, meaning they will be playing League One football after 14 and 19 years respectively - Wrexham winning their second successive promotion.
14 April 2024: Manchester City took control of the title race, after Liverpool and Arsenal suffered home defeats to Crystal Palace respectively.
16 April 2024:Portsmouth clinch promotion as well as the League One title following a dramatic 3–2 victory overBarnsley, returning to the Championship after 12 years. In League Two,Stockport County defeatNotts County 5–2 to clinch the title with two matches remaining,Mansfield Town clinch the final automatic promotion spot to League One, returning after a 21 season absence, whileForest Green Rovers suffer a second successive relegation, returning to the National League after seven seasons in the Football League.
20 April 2024: A combination of results lead toPort Vale andFleetwood Town both being relegated to League Two after two and ten years, respectively, in League One.
24 April 2024: Everton won their first Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park since 2010, after shutting out Liverpool 2–0. This left Liverpool's title challenge in tatters, lying three points behind leaders Arsenal with four games left to play.
26 April 2024: Leicester City become the first side in this year's unpredictable Championship to clinch promotion following Leeds' 4–0 thrashing away to Queens Park Rangers, sealing an immediate return to the Premier League - this win securing Championship football next season for the London club. This result means that Ipswich have their destiny in their own hands to win promotion, as they are one point behind Leeds with two games in hand over the Whites.
27 April 2024: Sheffield United become the first team relegated from the Premier League, after a 5–1 loss toNewcastle United leaves them ten points adrift from safety, with only three matches remaining — this is the team's fourth move between the Premier League and the Championship in six seasons. The League One regular season ends with Derby County's 2–0 win overCarlisle United sealing second place, and automatic promotion to the Championship, after two years in League One, whileCheltenham Town's 2–1 loss toStevenage relegates them to League Two after three seasons in League One. The League Two regular season also draws to a close, withSutton United relegated to the National League, after three years in the Football League, by a 4–4 draw withMilton Keynes Dons.
30 April 2024: April ends with Arsenal top of the table, one point ahead of Manchester City - who have a game in hand. Liverpool have fallen five points behind Arsenal following a terrible run of form in April, while Aston Villa have opened a seven-point gap between them and 5th placed Tottenham - although Spurs now have two games in hand over the Villans. Manchester United and Newcastle round out the top seven. Sheffield United's relegation has been confirmed, with Burnley, Luton, and Nottingham Forest left to battle to avoid last two relegation spots, the three sides on 24, 25 and 26 points respectively. In the Championship, with one matchday remaining, Leicester City have been crowned champions, while Ipswich need just one point to secure their long-awaited return to the top-flight. Leeds will most likely have to settle for the play-offs, together with Southampton, who are confirmed to finish 4th, while Norwich and West Brom round out the play-offs with only Hull able to sneak into the top six. Rotherham's relegation is also confirmed, Huddersfield will almost certainly join them, barring a 15-goal swing in their favour, while Birmingham and Plymouth will battle it out for the last place, with Blackburn and Sheffield Wednesday still having not mathematically confirmed their survival.
4 May 2024: The Championship regular season comes to an end with Ipswich Town confirming their second-place finish, and automatic promotion to the Premier League, along with champions Leicester City — Leeds United, Southampton, West Bromwich Albion and Norwich City will compete for the third promotion spot. At the other end of the table, seven out of the bottom eight teams win on the final day, confirming the relegation to League One of Birmingham City, Huddersfield Town, and Rotherham United. Boston United defeat Brackley Town 2–1, to win promotion to the National League, a tier they skipped after entering administration in 2007, and being demoted two levels from League Two.
5 May 2024: National League side Bromley, founded in 1892, defeat Solihull Moors on penalties, 4–3, to win promotion to the Football League for the first time.
6 May 2024: Braintree Town's 4–3 extra-time win over Worthing returns them to the National League after five seasons.
11 May 2024: Burnley's relegation from the Premier League was confirmed after defeat at Spurs. They became the second team to drop to the Championship, signalling the end of their one-year stay in the top flight. Luton, barring an incredible goal difference swing, would be joining the Clarets and Sheffield United in the Championship after a 3–1 defeat at West Ham United, a game they had led since the 6th minute till the Irons' equaliser ten minutes into the second half.
12 May 2024: Arsenal's 1–0 victory at Manchester United meant the title race would go down to the final day, as well as mathematically ending Liverpool's chances of their first title since 2020.
19 May 2024: On the Premier League's final day, Manchester City confirmed yet another title after beating West Ham United 3–1, meaning Arsenal's 2–1 victory to Everton was immaterial, despite the Toffees nearly shocking the Gunners at the Emirates, with Arsenal only leading late on. The Jurgen Klopp era came to an end after a glittering 9-year spell after Liverpool's 2–0 win over Wolves at Anfield. Klopp essentially confirmed his replacement as Feyenoord manager Arne Slot. Chelsea confirmed European football and Manchester United ended in their lowest league position since the Premier League's beginning in 1992 - 8th place. However, United can snatch European football from 7th-placed Newcastle United if they beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final. Luton's battle for safety was mathematically lost after a 4–2 home defeat to Fulham.
25 May 2024: Manchester United clinched the FA Cup, beating Mancunian rivals City 2–1 at Wembley to snatch a European place from Newcastle.
26 May 2024:Southampton returned to the Premier League, defeating Leeds United at Wembley in the Championship play-off final, returning to the top flight after just a year hiatus.
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^Moody, James (28 November 2023)."In memoriam: Rod Fletcher". Scunthorpe United F.C.Archived from the original on 29 November 2023. Retrieved29 August 2025.
^"Alex Smith | 1938-2023". Bolton Wanderers F.C. 29 November 2023.Archived from the original on 30 November 2023. Retrieved29 August 2025.
^Vignes, Spencer (31 December 2023)."RIP Lammie Robertson". Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.Archived from the original on 30 December 2023. Retrieved29 August 2025.
^Cash, Devon (7 January 2024)."James Hanson Retires".Worksop Town F.C. Photo by Richard Bierton.Archived from the original on 8 January 2024. Retrieved8 January 2024.
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31',42'
Michael Flynn[29]
Grant McCann[31]
Mauricio Pochettino[39][40]
Darren Moore[52]
David Artell[91]
Dino Maamria[110]
