In spite of both a quiet summer transfer window and off-field concerns regarding the contractual future of certain players, Liverpool defied expectations in new head coachArne Slot's first season in charge to win their second Premier League title and their 20th league title overall – drawing them back level with Manchester United; whilst enduring exits in the New Year from both the Champions League and the FA Cup, as well as a narrow loss in the League Cup final, the Reds stayed virtually top of the table from late September onwards, taking advantage of slip-ups below them and winning the title at the end of April, the contractual concerns simultaneously easing in the closing weeks with both forwardMohamed Salah and defenderVirgil van Dijk signing extensions. Arsenal finished second for the third season in a row, the Gunners being let down by too many draws (including more dropped points from winning positions than the previous two seasons combined) that resulted in the gap ultimately becoming insurmountable – with even a strong run to the Champions League semi-finals amounting to nothing, as the North London club went a fifth successive season without a trophy.
The battle to ensure the remaining Champions League places, with the top five teams now qualifying for the competition, went to the final game week; Manchester City endured arguably their worst season since their financial takeover in 2008 – despite making a strong start, a long-term injury to midfielderRodri in late September sparked a horrendous run of form that saw them rapidly fall away from the top of the league table and endure early exits from both the League Cup in late October and the Champions League before the round-of-16; whilst a late run of results saw the club haul themselves into third place and once again ensure Champions League football, their failure to win a trophy – including losing the FA Cup final for a second consecutive season – capped off a very disappointing season, arguably the worst of Pep Guardiola's tenure. Despite a poor run of form in the winter and some questions regarding the tactics of new head coachEnzo Maresca, both a strong start and a strong finish to their league saw Chelsea secure a return to the Champions League, on top of winning the Europa Conference League - ultimately taking fourth place and becoming the first side to win all five major UEFA competitions. Newcastle United took fifth place and the final Champions League spot despite losing their final two games of the season, capping a fantastic season in which the club finally ended their 70-year wait for a trophy with victory in the League Cup. A controversial final day loss, alongside mixed results in the league games after their Champions League exploits, ultimately cost Aston Villa a place in the top five, instead consigning them to the Europa League - still another successful season for the Villans, who reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League, their remarkable run including a home win overBayern Munich and pushingParis Saint Germain all the way in their two-legged quarter final.
Having been tipped to struggle again, Nottingham Forest defied expectations by qualifying for Europe for the first time in nearly thirty years, qualifying for the Europa Conference League, and never once looking likely to be dragged into the relegation mire - while a poor end to the season cost the Reds a top five finish, having stayed within the top five for much of the campaign, it was still a wonderful achievement for the East Midlands club. Despite making a rough start to their campaign, including just hovering above the drop zone going into Christmas, a strong second half of the season saw Crystal Palace achieve arguably their greatest season since their third-place finish in 1991, the Eagles also breaking a new club record for most points in the Premier League era – and winning their first ever trophy with victory in the FA Cup, ensuring European qualification for the first time, all inOliver Glasner's first full season as manager.
Manchester United's freefall since the retirement ofSir Alex Ferguson continued in dramatic fashion; an underwhelming start, considering a busy summer transfer window, saw managerErik ten Hag sacked in late October, with his replacement inRuben Amorim winning just seven league games from the November international break onwards as the Red Devils finished with 42 points, their lowest total since 1990, their lowest league finish since being promoted to the top-flight in 1975 and their most league losses in a season for over fifty years, on top of a multitude of poor results. Tottenham Hotspur fared little better, the team struggling with an extensive injury crisis throughout the season and finishing in their lowest league position since their promotion to the top-flight in 1978 while breaking unwanted club records for both points total and number of losses in a top flight season, on top of fan anger against ownerDaniel Levy (and to a lesser extent, head coachAnge Postecoglou) continuing to grow; however, it was in Europe that both teams excelled, making it all the way to the Europa League final against all the odds, with Tottenham winning to ensure both a return to the Champions League and their first trophy since winning the League Cup in 2008, while United finished their season without a trophy and missed out on European qualification for only the second time since the re-admission of English clubs to Europe in 1990.
For the second season in a row, and only the third time in Premier League history, all three promoted sides endured an immediate return to the Championship, with relegation being confirmed with at least four games to go; Southampton finished bottom once again, similarly going through three different managers and also breaking records for all the wrong reasons including enduring the earliest relegation in terms of games still to play (being relegated with seven games left) and finishing with the worst statistical home record in top flight history (one win and six points) – whilst the Saints did barely avoid equalling both Derby County's infamously low points and wins totals set in 2008, they took the unwanted record of being the first Premier League team to record 30 losses in a season, and the first top-flight team overall to lose 30 or more games in a season since Stoke City 40 years earlier. Finishing above them were Ipswich Town, whose long-awaited return to the top flight proved to be disappointing, the Tractor Boys ultimately being let down by poor form at Portman Road – only securing a single win, whilst winning three on the road – and failing to turn committed performances into results. Taking the final relegation spot were Leicester City; the sacking of managerSteve Cooper, appointed in the summer following the pre-season departure of promotion-winning managerEnzo Maresca, in favour ofRuud van Nistelrooy before Christmas proved a massive misfire with the Foxes failing to score in nine consecutive home games and only finishing the best of the relegated sides with a decent run of form after relegation.
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[16] (C) Champions;(R) Relegated Notes:
^The Premier League gained an additional Champions League place as a result of England gaining one of the two European Performance Spots (EPS) awarded to the two associations with the highestUEFA coefficient points in 2024–25.
^Initially, Crystal Palace qualified for the Europa League league phase as the2024–25 FA Cup winners. However, due to multi-club ownership rules, they were not permitted to enter the Europa League and entered the Conference League play-off round instead, with 7th-placed Nottingham Forest taking their place in the Europa League.[14] Crystal Palace appealed the decision but this was ultimately rejected.[15]
^Since the winners of the2024–25 EFL Cup, Newcastle United, qualified for the Champions League via league position, the spot reserved for the EFL Cup winners (Conference League play-off round) was initially passed to the 7th-placed team (Nottingham Forest). However due to multi-club ownership rules, the winners of the FA Cup, Crystal Palace, were not permitted to enter the Europa League and entered the Conference League play-off round instead, with Nottingham Forest taking their place in the Europa League.[14] Crystal Palace appealed the decision but this was ultimately rejected.[15]
^Tottenham Hotspur qualified for the Champions League league phase as the2024–25 UEFA Europa League winners.
In what was principally a three-horse race for the title, Leeds United and Burnley won promotion with two games to spare, both sides reaching the 100-point mark for the first time in the history of the second tier - Leeds coming on top to secure the title on goal difference - another first for the Championship. The Whites enjoyed a fantastic season in both attack and defence as they won the title after occupying top position for much of the season after November; a shaky run of form in March threatened to derail the club's run, butDaniel Farke's side recovered impressively to secure the German's third Championship title following the two with Norwich. Burnley finished 2nd, the Clarets smashing the defensive record for the entire Football League, conceding just 16 goals and finishing the season on a 33-match unbeaten run, only losing twice, the final loss coming on 21 December; perhaps the only minor disappointment was a run of too many draws that preventedScott Parker's side - his third promotion from the Championship, all with different clubs - from possibly breaking even more records. The play-offs were won by Sunderland; the club enjoyed a hugely improved campaign under new managerRégis Le Bris, leading the table for large parts of the first half and only falling out of the race for automatic promotion by virtue of several runs of indifferent form from November onwards; still, the Black Cats never fell out of the top four before edging their way through the play-offs in dramatic fashion, with late winners in both the semi-final and the final, to end their eight-year exile from the top flight.
Another topsy-turvy relegation battle ensued, with several sides in the mix until the end and only one team having their relegation confirmed before the final matchday. Cardiff City were the first side to suffer relegation, dropping into the third tier for the first time in 22 years; the Bluebirds remained in the relegation mire all season long, looking like overcoming a bad start to the season - only for a run of just five wins after December to go against them and send them back into the bottom three. Plymouth Argyle were the second side to go down; the Pilgrims never recovering from the disastrous pre-season decision to appoint England legendWayne Rooney as they struggled; even a late improvement in form after the hiring of new managerMiron Muslić came too little too late as the club returned to League One after two years. The final relegation place went to Luton Town; having been tipped for an immediate return to the Premier League; the Hatters were in the relegation mire from the start, and despite seemingly recovering, a terrible run of form after Christmas plunged them into the bottom three; a late good run of form under new managerMatt Bloomfield not proving enough as the club became the first since Sunderland in 2018 to suffer two successive relegations from the top flight to the third tier, returning to League One after six years.
Source:English Football League 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) Number of 12-point sending off offences; 9) Play-off (only if needed to determine promotion/relegation)[18] (C) Champions;(O) Play-off winners;(P) Promoted;(R) Relegated Notes:
^Sheffield United were deducted two points for defaulting on payments to other clubs during the 2022–23 and 2023–24 seasons, with a further two points suspended.[17]
In a similar manner to their last season in the third tier in 1995 and after years of disappointing league campaigns on and off the field, Birmingham City secured an emphatic immediate return to the Championship, this time around smashing the record for the most points secured across the entire Football League – and their first promotion since 2009; the Blues' success came as a result of never once relinquishing top spot after going top in late September and an unbeaten season at home, perhaps the only disappointment being a failure to win their first trophy since 2011, narrowly losing out in the Football League Trophy. The battle for the second automatic promotion place went to the penultimate week, with Wycombe Wanderers and Wrexham pushing each other close; in the end, Wrexham won out, the Red Dragons continuing their spectacular rise up the Football League pyramid - becoming the first side in English football history to win three successive promotions, solidifying themselves into the promotion race early on and finishing with impressive run of form in the closing stages of the season to seal their return to the second tier after a 43-year absence. Charlton Athletic's first full season underNathan Jones was a success; in spite of a mediocre start, the Addicks reached the top six by virtue of a storming run of form in the closing stages of the season, to reach the play-offs and win promotion, defeating Leyton Orient in the final - exactly eleven years to the date the O's lost the play-off final for the last time - and thus ending their five-year exile from the Championship.
Shrewsbury Town were the first side to go down, in a terrible season in which the Shrews only once escaped the drop zone and changed managers three times, returning to the Football League's basement tier after ten years. Cambridge United were the next side to face relegation, enduring a similarly horrible season as they only spent one matchday out of the bottom four - as they started the season with just one point from their first ten games - and returned to League Two after four seasons, despite the managerial presence of experienced managersGarry Monk andNeil Harris - the latter's second spell in charge of the club. Bristol Rovers endured a torrid campaign, remaining in the relegation mire for the entire season; the appointment ofIñigo Calderón seemed to turn their fortunes around, but a total collapse in the end of the season, with just one draw picked up from their final ten games, consigned the Pirates to League Two after three years away. Crawley Town never managed to adjust to life back in League One after ten years and went straight down, in a turbulent season that saw them change managers four times - but at least they went down fighting following a late improvement after promotion winning managerScott Lindsey returned for a second spell. Having started the season winless in their first 14 matches and with just two wins by the end of January, several good runs of form after that point for Burton Albion, coupled with Bristol Rovers' late collapse, saw the Brewers secure their safety in the penultimate week.
Having looked all-but decided going into the New Year, the race for the League Two title ended up going to the penultimate week of the season – a race that saw Doncaster Rovers make amends for their play-off miss the previous season and ensure a return to League One after three years, ultimately taking advantage of the teams around them dropping points. Similarly, the race to decide the automatic promotion places was only decided on the final two weekends, with Port Vale finishing second and securing an immediate return to the third tier, overcoming a poor run of form in the run-up to Christmas in the process. Finishing third - by virtue of a 96th-minute winner in their final game - were Bradford City, who secured their first promotion in twelve years; the Bantams slowly progressing up the table and firmly consolidating themselves in the play-off positions thanks to a strong ten-match winning run at Valley Parade, before sneaking into third on the final day. Taking the final spot through the playoffs were AFC Wimbledon, the Dons impressing with the meanest defence of the campaign to secure a return to the third tier just three years after what had been their first ever relegation - and earning managerJohnnie Jackson his first managerial promotion.
Just two seasons after playing in the third tier, Morecambe's 18-year stay in the Football League came to an end as they finished bottom – despite the return of promotion-winning managerDerek Adams for a third spell in charge, a miserable start to the season saw the Shrimps fall into the drop zone in only the third week, spending just one week outside of it during the whole campaign. A late season improvement, timed with the appointment of veteran managerMark Hughes and a downturn in form for Accrington Stanley, saw Carlisle United take the battle to avoid relegation to the penultimate weekend, but a similar upturn in form from Tranmere Rovers, as well as several late crucial points for Stanley, condemned the Cumbrian side to a second successive relegation and saw them drop into non-league football, exactly twenty years after having last played in the fifth tier.
After consecutive near-misses in the play-offs in previous seasons and in spite of a late scare in April, a strong second half of the season saw Barnet achieve their fourth promotion to the Football League – returning to the fourth tier after seven years away, and finally securing head coachDean Brennan his first promotion out of the non-league system (his previous promotions having all been from the fifth tier and below). Taking the final spot through the play-offs were Oldham Athletic, the Latics overcoming Southend United in a topsy-turvy play-off final to secure their return to the Football League after a three-season absence - ensuring not only their first promotion since 1991, but also earning managerMicky Mellon his sixth managerial promotion.
At the bottom of the table, Ebbsfleet United were the first team in all of the top five tiers to endure relegation, falling back into the sixth tier after only three years; the Kent side endured one of the worst runs of form in the season, winning just once between the start of the campaign and mid-March, only picking up their second win a week before relegation was confirmed, statistically finishing with one of the worst final points totals in the history of the fifth tier. AFC Fylde finished just above them, ultimately being undone by their wretched away form that saw them pick up just eleven points – and making it through four different managers across the campaign. Despite some spirited runs of form across the season, Maidenhead United's luck finally gave out as they endured their first relegation since 2007, with managerAlan Devonshire unable to mark a decade in charge of the Magpies with another escape from the drop. The final place was filled on the final day of the season, with Dagenham and Redbridge's luck finally giving out as they fell into the sixth tier for the first time since the turn of the century - whilst the Daggers did enjoy a strong late run of form to finish their penultimate game one point ahead of Wealdstone, a failure to win at Solihull Moors saw the Royals narrowly move ahead of them.
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:
^Farsley Celtic were not granted a FA license to participate in steps 1-4 for 2025-26, thus were relegated to the Northern Counties East League[21]
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
^Sheffield United who were set to be relegated to the FA Women's National League after spending seven seasons in the Championship were reprieved from relegation.[23]
Source:The Football Association Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored (C) Champions;(P) Promoted;(R) Relegated Notes:
^Stourbridge were deducted 1 point for failing to fulfil their fixture against Nottingham Forest on 2 March 2025. Subsequently, Stourbridge received a £250 fine and the fixture was rescheduled.[24]
Source:The Football Association Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored (C) Champions;(P) Promoted;(R) Relegated Notes:
^abBillericay Town were deducted three points for fielding an ineligible player in their FA WNL Southern Premier Division away fixture against Gwalia United on Sunday 17 November, which they won 1–0. Consequently, Billericay Town were imposed a fine of £100 and the three points for the match were transferred to Gwalia United.[25]
Source:The Football Association Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored (C) Champions;(P) Promoted;(R) Relegated
Source:The Football Association Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored (C) Champions;(P) Promoted;(R) Relegated Notes:
^On 13 November 2024, Solihull Moors were deducted 1 point for failing to fulfil their fixture against Loughborough Lightning. As a result, Solihull received a suspended £250 fine and the game was rescheduled.[26]
Source:The Football Association Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored (C) Champions;(P) Promoted;(R) Relegated
Source:The Football Association Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored (C) Champions;(P) Promoted;(R) Relegated Notes:
^On 10 October 2024, Southampton Women's were deducted 1 point for failing to fulfil their fixture against Bristol Rovers on 25 August 2024. As a result, Southampton received a suspended £250 fine and the game was rescheduled.[27]
17 August 2024: The first Premier League match without Jürgen Klopp in the dugout since October 2015 took place, as new Liverpool boss Arne Slot oversaw his side defeat newboys Ipswich Town 2–0 at Portman Road. Ironically, Ipswich's last Premier League fixture came against the Reds, who relegated them on the final day of the 2001–02 season.
31 August 2024: The first month of Premier League action ends with Manchester City leading the table, being the only side so far to win all three of their fixtures. Brighton & Hove Albion and Arsenal follow two points behind - with Brighton 2nd by virtue of goals scored - with Liverpool on six points, albeit having played only two games. Brentford, Aston Villa and Bournemouth complete the top seven. Everton, Southampton and Crystal Palace make up the bottom three, having not won a single point so far, with Wolves, Ipswich and Leicester being outside the relegation zone by one point. In the Championship, Sunderland lead the table, having made a perfect start with four wins out of four. West Bromwich Albion and Watford follow closely in 2nd and 3rd respectively, with Leeds, Blackburn Rovers and Burnley completing the top six. Cardiff City are bottom of the table with one point so far, behind 23rd-placed Luton on goal difference, who are finding life difficult back in the Championship. Rounding out the bottom three are Plymouth Argyle, one point ahead of the aforementioned sides.
14 September 2024: Nottingham Forest claim a shock 1–0 victory over Liverpool in Anfield, the Reds' first win at this ground since 1969.
30 September 2024: September concludes with Liverpool now in the lead, 1 point ahead of Manchester City and Arsenal - both tied for 2nd place, separated by goal difference. Chelsea follow in 4th place, another point behind, separated from Aston Villa on goal difference as well, while Fulham and Newcastle round out the top seven. Wolverhampton Wanderers, Southampton and Crystal Palace, all winless, occupy the bottom three, with Leicester City and Ipswich Town outside the drop zone on goals scored and by one point, respectively, also without a win so far, the first time in Premier League history that five sides head into October having not won a game. In the Championship, West Bromwich Albion occupy top spot, with Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers - tied on points and goals - following closely. Burnley, Leeds and Sheffield United round out the top six, with the other recently relegated side, Luton Town, having somewhat recovered from their terrible start but still standing at a measly 19th place, six points off the Blades. Cardiff City have lost all of their games this month and remain rock bottom with just one point after seven matches, joined in the relegation zone by League One champions Portsmouth, also winless so far, and Preston North End, while Coventry remain outside the bottom three by virtue of goal difference.
10 October 2024: England suffer a shock 2–1 home defeat to Greece, their first defeat ever against this opposition, in a terrible performance that also saw Greece have three goals ruled out for offside, on an emotional night following the sudden death of Greece footballerGeorge Baldock the previous day.
15 October 2024: The Football Association announce that the former Chelsea managerThomas Tuchel will become the new manager of the England national team effective from 1 January 2025. The 51-year-old German becomes England's third non-English manager on a contract that will last initially for eighteen months.
31 October 2024: October draws to a close with Manchester City, the only unbeaten side in England's top four divisions, having now claimed top spot and leading Liverpool by one point. Arsenal and Aston Villa, both four points off the Reds, round out the top four, while Chelsea, Brighton & Hove Albion and Nottingham Forest - having made their best start to a Premier League season in 29 years - round out the top seven. Southampton are rock bottom with just one point, joined in the bottom three by Wolverhampton Wanderers and Ipswich Town; all three sides remain without a win after nine matches of the season. Crystal Palace record their first win of the campaign to move out of the relegation zone; the same goes for Leicester City who have picked up their first two wins this month to move five points away from the bottom three. In the Championship, Sunderland have regained top spot and now have built a five-point lead over 2nd place following an electric run of form in October. Burnley and Leeds are tied for 2nd place, the Clarets ahead by goal difference, while Sheffield United, who would be second if not for a two-point deduction, West Bromwich Albion and Blackburn Rovers round out the top six, Watford outside by virtue of goal difference. Portsmouth have claimed their first victory of the campaign but now are bottom, with Queens Park Rangers one point ahead following a terrible run of form, while Luton Town are also back in the drop zone following an almost equally poor run of form, with four sides tied on just one point ahead of the relegation zone - including Cardiff City, who have embarked on an impressive run of form during October to move up to 20th place.
2 November 2024: Manchester City suffer a 2–1 defeat away to Bournemouth, halting their undefeated start to the season.
9 November 2024: A 2–1 away defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion means that, for the first time since 2006, Manchester City have lost four games in a row in all competitions - their worst run of form since Pep Guardiola took over. This allows Liverpool, who defeated Aston Villa 2–0, to move five points clear at the summit of the table.
10 November 2024: After ten matches without a win, Ipswich Town claim their first Premier League victory for the season, and first since April 2002, with a 2–1 win at Tottenham Hotspur.
23 November 2024: Manchester City's crisis deepens as the club slumps to a 4–0 home defeat to Tottenham, in what is the heaviest home defeat of the Pep Guardiola era - meaning the 53-year-old has lost five games in succession for the first time in his career.
24 November 2024: A hard fought 3–2 win for Liverpool at Southampton allows the Reds to open an eight-point gap over second placed Manchester City, just before the Citizens' visit to Anfield on 1 December.
30 November 2024: With a few more Premier League games to be played this round, November ends with Liverpool leading the Premier League table by six points over second placed Arsenal. An impressive Brighton & Hove Albion follow in third, while a nightmare month for Manchester City finds the Citizens in fourth place - depending on the result of their match at Anfield as well as Chelsea's they could end up anywhere from 2nd to 5th. Chelsea follow in 5th, while the top seven is rounded out by Nottingham Forest and Brentford - both sides impressing so far after battling for their survival last season, the Reds even reaching as high as 3rd earlier in the month, while the Bees possess so far the best home record of any Premier League side, having won 19 of their 20 points at their home stadium. Southampton have picked up their first victory of the season but remain bottom with just five points, Ipswich Town and Wolverhampton Wanderers - both having won for the first time this month as well - having exchanged places in the relegation zone compared to last month, with Crystal Palace standing outside the bottom three on goal difference, while Leicester City and Everton are one and two points off the relegation zone respectively. In the Championship, Sheffield United claim the lead, holding a two-point lead - four points if not for their points deduction - over 2nd placed Burnley. Leeds United and Sunderland follow closely, in a so far hot battle for the title, while resurgent Middlesbrough and Watford round out the top six. Portsmouth remain bottom of the table, joined in the drop zone by Queens Park Rangers and Hull City - but the relegation battle is wide open with just six points separating bottom placed Portsmouth from 16th-placed Coventry City.
1 December 2024: Liverpool put on an absolutely dominant display to defeat Manchester City 2–0, opening a nine-point lead over 2nd place, and now eleven points ahead of the Citizens who are in a terrible run of just one draw and six defeats from their last seven games across all competitions, having fallen to 5th place after entering November top of the league and unbeaten - in stark contrast to the Reds who have made a fantastic start to life under new manager Arne Slot so far, having won 18 of their 20 games in all competitions. Chelsea beat Aston Villa 3–0 and stand now in 2nd place, tied on points, goal difference and goals scored with Arsenal, dropping Brighton into 4th place in the process. A 1–1 home draw with Fulham allows Tottenham to overtake Brentford into 7th by virtue of goal difference, whereas a 4–0 rout of Everton means that Manchester United - in Ruben Amorim's first Premier League home game - re-enter the top half of the Premier League table for the first time since mid-September.
7 December 2024: Nottingham Forest continue their spectacular start to the season by defeating Manchester United 3–2 at Old Trafford, a victory that propels the Reds up to 5th; it is their first win at this stadium since 1994, as well as the first time in history they have won away at Anfield and Old Trafford in the same season.
26 December 2024: Boxing Day sees Manchester City draw 1–1 at home to Everton, extending the Citizens' miserable run to just one win in thirteen games across all competitions since the end of October, with City now 7th. Among other results, Fulham claim a shock 2–1 away win at Chelsea with a late turnaround, making it the Cottagers' first victory at Stamford Bridge since 1979, while a 1–0 win over Tottenham means that Nottingham Forest now sit in 3rd place, the Reds on their best run since the 1994–95 campaign. Later on, Liverpool defeat Leicester 3–1 at Anfield to extend their lead at the top to seven points over 2nd placed Chelsea and open a seemingly unassailable 14-point lead over defending champions Manchester City, while still having a game in hand over all of the aforementioned sides.
27 December 2024: Arsenal beat Ipswich 1–0 and leapfrog Chelsea into 2nd, one point ahead of the Blues, but six points behind Liverpool.
31 December 2024: 2024 ends with Liverpool boasting an eight-point lead over 2nd place - with a game in hand - the club looking well on track to win a second title in five years, in Arne Slot's maiden season at the helm. Nottingham Forest astonishingly claim 2nd place, the Reds enjoying what is turning out to be their best season in 30 years as they have vastly defied expectations, a five-match winning streak propelling them into 2nd as they have already exceeded their points total from last season; they will finish the year in 2nd place as 3rd-placed Arsenal have to play on New Year's Day, whereas successive defeats have seen Chelsea slip into 4th after spending most of December in 2nd, at one point even closing the gap at the top to two points. Newcastle United claim 5th place, Manchester City being one point behind in 6th, having picked up just their second win since the end of October, while Bournemouth, another side impressing so far, round out the top seven. Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United keep on disappointing this season as they claim 11th and 14th place respectively - the Red Devils enduring their worst season in nearly 40 years as they stand just seven points clear of the bottom three. Southampton remain bottom with six points and their relegation seems to be turning into a matter of when, rather than if, with the other newly promoted sides, Leicester and Ipswich, joining them in the relegation zone; Wolves, Everton and Crystal Palace all remain in the relegation mix so far. In the Championship, Leeds lead the table by two points over Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United, with Burnley one point behind the Blades, and Sunderland four points off the Clarets. The march for the play-offs remains very heated as just five points separate 5th-placed Blackburn Rovers from 11th-placed Sheffield Wednesday, Middlesbrough rounding out the top 6. Plymouth Argyle have plummeted into the bottom of the table, joined in the relegation zone by Portsmouth and Cardiff City, although a mere nine points separate bottom Plymouth from 16th-placed Derby County.
1 January 2025: The first Premier League game of 2025 sees Arsenal beat Brentford 3–1 away, leapfrogging Nottingham Forest and moving to within six points of leaders Liverpool.
6 January 2025: A 3–0 away victory to Wolves makes it six wins in succession for Nottingham Forest, the first time in 58 years the Reds have achieved this in the top flight.
14 January 2025: Nottingham Forest and Liverpool play out an entertaining 1–1 draw at the City Ground, Forest having missed the chance to make it six wins in succession for the first time since 1922 and close the gap from the top to three points; nonetheless a successful result for the Reds who are now second, six points behind Liverpool and one point ahead of Arsenal - both sides with a game in hand.
15 January 2025: Arsenal prevail in the North London derby by a 2–1 scoreline, leapfrogging Nottingham Forest and reducing Liverpool's lead at the top to four points, although the Reds remain with a game in hand, whereas their rivals Tottenham slip down to 13th place, just eight points off the bottom three.
31 January 2025: The first month of 2025 draws to a close with Liverpool still in the lead, six points ahead of Arsenal and once again with a game in hand. Nottingham Forest have suffered their first defeat since early December but are still in 3rd, three points ahead of fourth-placed Manchester City, the Citizens seemingly back on track again as they have claimed 14 points out of a possible 18 since their last loss on 21 December. Newcastle follow on goal difference, while the top seven is rounded out by Chelsea and a Bournemouth side looking well placed for their best ever season so far. Manchester United and Tottenham continue to struggle as they stand 12th and 15th respectively - Spurs are just eight points off the bottom three as they are suffering from an unprecedented injury crisis and a run of just one point in their last seven games. Southampton continue to prop up the table with six points as comparisons begin to arise with the infamous Derby County side of 2007–08 which became the worst in Premier League history. Three sides in Leicester, Wolves and Ipswich look to principally battle to avoid relegation - the Foxes having just picked up their first win since early December to move out of the bottom three - with Everton having won two games in succession for the first time this season to move seven points away from the bottom three. In the Championship, the battle for automatic promotion is beginning to turn on the heat as Leeds, Sheffield United, Burnley and Sunderland are separated by five points - with 4th placed Sunderland ten points ahead of 5th place, it looks almost certain that these four sides will battle it out for the title and automatic promotion. The battle for the play-offs is also getting very intense as just four points separate 5th placed Blackburn Rovers (who have played a game more than the other teams) from 10th placed Sheffield Wednesday, with West Brom rounding out the top six. Plymouth Argyle remain bottom, seven points from safety, with Luton and Derby joining them in the bottom three - Luton being on a run of just one point from seven games as they look certain to battle a second successive relegation, while Derby have slipped into the bottom three by virtue of a six-match losing streak.
1 February 2025: Nottingham Forest respond in emphatic fashion to their heavy last matchday defeat at Bournemouth by thrashing Brighton by an incredible 7–0 scoreline to record their largest Premier League victory. It is the first time the Reds win by this margin since beating Chelsea 7–0 in April 1991, and the first time they score seven goals since putting as many against Sheffield Wednesday in April 1995. Later the same day, Everton thrash Leicester 4–0 to record their third straight win, and third in four games under David Moyes, to move nine points off the bottom three, while Southampton pick up just their second win of the season, winning 2–1 away at fellow strugglers Ipswich Town.
2 February 2025: Arsenal deliver a masterclass, thrashing Manchester City by an emphatic 5–1 scoreline and moving once again to within six points of leaders Liverpool, leaving Manchester City in 4th after inflicting their first Premier League defeat in more than a month - although the Citizens, for whom it is a fourth defeat with four or more goals this season, could fall into 5th as Chelsea are playing on Monday.
9 February 2025: The biggest upset of the season by far takes place in the fourth round of the FA Cup as bottom of the Championship side Plymouth Argyle claim a shock 1–0 victory over Premier League leaders Liverpool, thus knocking the Reds out of the competition and ending their hopes of a possible unprecedented quadruple, in a match in which the two sides are separated by 43 positions in the Football League pyramid.
28 February 2025: February ends with Liverpool boasting a massive 13-point lead over 2nd place - albeit having played a game more - and it seems to be now a matter of when, rather than if, will the Reds secure their second league title in five seasons. Arsenal remain 2nd with a six-point cushion over 3rd place, a severe injury crisis particularly in their attacking units having essentially thrown the Gunners out of the title race. Despite a relatively poor - for this year's standards - run of two wins from seven games, Nottingham Forest remain 3rd, although just one point ahead of Manchester City. Chelsea remain 5th, with Newcastle and Bournemouth rounding out the top seven - although the race for the European spots has heated up as just six points separate 3rd Nottingham Forest from 10th-placed Aston Villa. Despite having picked up just their second win of the season, Southampton remain bottom of the table, their return to the Championship now being a matter of when, rather than if. Wolverhampton Wanderers are now five points clear of the relegation zone, although the relegation battle remains far from decided at this point. In the Championship, successive derby victories have seen Leeds build a five-point cushion over 2nd-placed Sheffield United. Burnley - who have gone 12 games without conceding a goal, having last conceded on 21 December - are in 3rd, two points off the Blades, while a bad run of form has seen Sunderland slip to five points from 2nd place, having played a game more than the sides above. The battle for 5th and 6th place remains as heated as ever, with Blackburn in 5th and West Brom in 6th once again, Blackburn being separated from 14th-placed Queens Park Rangers by just seven points. Luton, Derby and Plymouth remain in the relegation zone, though with Plymouth now 22nd, Derby 23rd and Luton 24th.
8 March 2025: Nottingham Forest's fairytale season continues as the Reds defeat Manchester City 1–0, picking up their first victory over the Citizens since 1995 and cementing their place among the Champions League positions.
9 March 2025: Chelsea beat Leicester 1–0 and leapfrog reigning champions Manchester City into 4th place. Arsenal can only manage a 1–1 draw away to Manchester United, allowing Liverpool - who beat Southampton 3–1 on Saturday - to build a 15-point gap at the summit, even with the Gunners having a game in hand.
16 March 2025: Newcastle United defeat Liverpool 2–1 in the Carabao Cup final and secure their first domestic trophy since the1955 FA Cup, and first trophy overall since the 1969 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, leaving Liverpool, battling for the quadruple until just over a month ago, with only the Premier League left to fight for, following their midweek Champions League exit at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain.
1 April 2025: After a two-week hiatus due to the international break and FA Cup action on the last weekend of March, Premier League football resumes with Nottingham Forest claiming a 1–0 victory over Manchester United, making it the first time since the 1991–92 season in which the Reds complete the double over United and strengthening their grip on the Champions League places, while also having made the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time in 34 years. Arsenal beat Fulham 2–1, with Bukayo Saka scoring on his first appearance in 2025 - having just returned from injury, while a 1–0 victory over West Ham all but seals survival for Wolverhampton Wanderers, as they now have a 12-point cushion above the drop zone in spite of having a game in hand over the three sides below them.
2 April 2025: Manchester City beat Leicester 2–0 to move back into the top four once again, with Newcastle one point behind - and with a game in hand - although Chelsea could overtake both sides should the Blues win in the London derby against Tottenham. Ipswich pick up just their fourth win of the campaign away to Bournemouth, to keep their slim hopes of survival alive, ahead of a crucial game against Wolverhampton Wanderers, whereas Southampton draw at home to Crystal Palace, raising their point tally to 10 and needing only one point in their remaining games to avoid breaking Derby County's 11-point record.
6 April 2025: Southampton become the first side in the country to suffer relegation following a 3–1 defeat at Tottenham that leaves the club 22 points from safety with 21 left to play for, the Saints suffering the earliest relegation in Premier League history with seven games remaining, breaking Derby's previous record of six.
8 April 2025: Birmingham City become the first side in the country to clinch promotion, a 2–1 victory over Peterborough propelling the Blues 17 points clear of 3rd placed Wycombe Wanderers with five games remaining - Birmingham even having a game in hand - thus bouncing back from their relegation.
12 April 2025: Only a few days after securing promotion, Birmingham secure the League One title as well courtesy of Wrexham's draw away to Wigan Athletic leaving the Red Dragons thirteen points from the Blues with twelve left to play for.
16 April 2025: Arsenal reach the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 2009, following a magnificent two-leg dismantling of reigning champions Real Madrid by an impressive aggregate score of 5–1.
17 April 2025: In what will go down in history as one of the best football matches of all time, Manchester United produce a remarkable comeback to defeat Lyon by an astonishing 5–4 scoreline - after having led 2–0 at half-time, being 4–2 down in extra time with seven minutes remaining and scoring twice in stoppage time of extra time - to set up a Europa League semi-final against Athletic Bilbao as the possibility of an all-English final remains open, Tottenham knocking out Eintracht Frankfurt by an aggregate score of 2–1 to set up a semi-final against the surprise package of the season in Bodø/Glimt.
18 April 2025: Shrewsbury Town become the second side in the Football League pyramid to be relegated, the Shrews' terrible campaign culminating in their first relegation in ten years and ending their ten-season stay in League One.
19 April 2025: A 1–1 draw against West Ham means that Southampton can no longer break Derby County's infamous points tally record as the Saints reach a total of 11 points, meaning that at worst-case scenario they will end up tied with the Rams as the two worst sides in Premier League history. Later the same evening, Aston Villa thrash Newcastle 4–1 to throw the Champions League race open, with just five points separating 3rd placed Newcastle from 6th placed Chelsea, a cushion that might be even further reduced with the Blues having a game in hand.
20 April 2025: On Easter Sunday, Chelsea beat Fulham 2–1 and move to within two points of 3rd place, meaning that there are five sides battling for three Champions League places and all are within two points of each other. Wolverhampton Wanderers pick up a shock 1–0 away win to Manchester United, making it the first time since 1970 that Wolves pick up five successive victories, a run that allows them to mathematically secure their Premier League status for next year. Liverpool beat Leicester 1–0 and move to within one win from mathematically securing the title; the same result officially relegates Leicester, while a 4–0 thrashing by Arsenal leaves Ipswich on the brink of relegation; barring an extraordinarily unlikely set of results in the remaining matches, this will be the second season in a row that all three promoted sides will be relegated straight back.
21 April 2025: Leeds and Burnley both win their respective games, 6–0 against Stoke and 2–1 against Sheffield United, to mathematically secure their returns to the Premier League after two seasons and one season, respectively. Morecambe become the first side to lose their Football League status for next season, the Shrimps' relegation from League Two being confirmed today following a 3–1 home defeat to Salford, ending their 18-year stay in the Football League.
26 April 2025: Ipswich Town's mathematical relegation is confirmed following a defeat to Newcastle United - marking the first time in Premier League history that all three relegated sides have their fate sealed with four games to go. Cardiff City become the first side from the Championship to be relegated to League One, ending a streak of 22 seasons in the top two tiers of English football, whereas Plymouth need a mathematical miracle to avoid returning to League One after two years. Wrexham continue their meteoric rise by securing promotion to the Championship, becoming the first side in English football history to win three successive promotions and return to the second tier after a 43-year absence. Cambridge United are relegated to League Two, returning to the basement tier of the Football League after four seasons. Doncaster Rovers and Port Vale secure their promotions to League One, after three years and one year respectively, whereas Carlisle United suffer their second successive relegation to return to the National League after a 20-year stint in the Football League.
27 April 2025: Liverpool thrash Tottenham 5–1 to mathematically secure their second title triumph in five seasons, second Premier League title, and 20th overall top division title, equalling Manchester United's record.
29 April 2025: Burton Albion pick up a 1–1 draw against Wigan to mathematically secure their safety and complete their own version of the "Great Escape", after beginning the season with just two wins from their first 27 games.
30 April 2025: A few days after smashing the League One point tally record of 103, Birmingham City break the all-time Football League record of 106 points as a win against relegated Cambridge United moves them up to 108 points in their penultimate match of the season.
8 May 2025: Despite struggling domestically for almost the entire campaign, both Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur reach the Europa League final, the two sides looking to win their first Europa League title after eight and 41 years respectively.
17 May 2025: Crystal Palace defeat Manchester City 1–0 in the FA Cup final to win the first trophy in their 119-year history and thus qualifying for next year's Europa League league phase.
21 May 2025: Tottenham Hotspur end their 17-year trophy drought by winning the 2024–25 Europa League, defeating Manchester United 1–0 and ensuring that despite a wretched league campaign they will compete in next season's UEFA Champions League league phase - also making it three UEFA Cup/Europa League wins, winning their first European trophy in 41 years.
^Albert2 (26 May 2025)."RIP Grenville Millington".Chester Football Club. Retrieved1 November 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
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