Sports and Media
This year’s Premier League Season - How did it go so far and what can we expect in may
João Guarda
Contributor
The Premier League is the most popular and competitive league in the world, with fairy tale campaigns like Leicester's 2016 champions run and deceiving years like Liverpool in 2010, the elite league of football in England is full of wonders and thrillers. So, how is the 2024/2025 season turning out?
A First Insight about the Premier League teams of this season
Before delving into the season analysis, let us first provide some context for the Premier League's newcomers this season.
It was the second year in a row that the bottom three teams from the previous season were relegated, so the newly promoted clubs: Ipswich Town, Leicester City, and Southampton were tasked with maintaining their status in order to avoid relegation; this could demonstrate that there is a new trend between the Premier League and the Championship, where clubs from the second division struggle to compete with clubs from the main league.
Who would be the favorite to win the League?
Manchester City were projected to maintain their league domination this season, but Arsenal under Mikel Arteta were regarded as City's bitter rivals, as Liverpool suffered a managerial change between club and football coach legend Jürgen Klopp and promising Dutch manager Arne Slot. Other competitors for European qualification included Chelsea, Aston Villa, Newcastle United, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur.
Aside from the conventional big six, the previous season, as well as the investment in quality players, transformed Newcastle and Aston Villa into genuine candidates to compete with the "Big 6" league of teams.
Based on last season's position, form, and tendencies, Nottingham Forest, Everton, Wolverhampton, and Bournemouth were seen as the top contenders for relegation.
Despite these assumptions, several teams proved all projections incorrect.
First phase (August to January)
Notable transitions and changes in the Squads
The 2024-25 Premier League summer transfer window, from June 14 to August 30, saw around £2 billion spent, reflecting a mix of ambitious signings, strategic loans, and careful financial planning.
High-Profile Transfers and Strategic Signings:
Notable transfers include Ilkay Gundogan's free transfer back to Manchester City, Raheem Sterling's loan to Arsenal, and Jadon Sancho's loan to Chelsea. These transactions exemplified an increasing trend in which clubs use loans to manage finances. Big-money purchases such as Dominic Solanke (£55 million) for Tottenham and Amadou Onana (£50 million) for Aston Villa highlighted efforts to improve crucial positions, but several newcomers struggled to make an immediate impact, raising concerns about squad adaptation.
Club-Specific Strategies:
Brighton & Hove Albion invested more than £200 million in young players such as Yankuba Minteh and Brajan Gruda, with an eye on competitiveness and future earnings. West Ham United combined proven talent, such as Aaron Wan-Bissaka, with long-term prospects in their pursuit of European qualifying. Crystal Palace retained important players Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi, while adding Maxence Lacroix. Everton, constrained by Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations, made cost-effective transfers, depending on loans and lesser acquisitions to bolster their roster.
Market Dynamics and Financial Trends:
The £2 billion spend revealed a cautious yet aggressive market. Many high-profile additions didn't have an instant impact, with players like Ryan Gravenberch outperforming newcomers. Loans became an important aspect, giving clubs flexibility without long-term commitments, while free transfers, such as Gundogan's, provided cost-effective options, particularly for financially strapped teams.
The emphasis on midfielders, such as Onana and Smith Rowe, indicated a move towards dynamic, possession-based play. The scarcity of great striker signings may expose flaws in clubs that lack reliable goal scorers.
Crystal Palace's retention of key players, together with Liverpool's retention of stars such as Alexander-Arnold and Salah, proved as valuable as new additions in guaranteeing squad stability.
A look at the first half of the season
Gather around, and let me tell you about the first half of the 2024-25 Premier League season, which was full of drama, surprises, and football magic. Consider the English Premier League to be a vast stage on which 20 clubs competed throughout 19 matchweeks, from the warm start in August to the chilly Christmas matches in December. It's a narrative of heroes rising, giants faltering, and underdogs barking loudly.
The curtain opened on August 16, 2024, with Liverpool, led by new maestro Arne Slot, taking the limelight. Slot, stepping into Jürgen Klopp's enormous shoes, not only kept the Reds marching, but sprinted. Liverpool topped the standings by Christmas, with a lead as wide as the Mersey.
Mohamed Salah, the Egyptian king, stole the stage, breaking records with 200 Fantasy Premier League points in just 19 games, averaging 11 points per game. His goals and assists, particularly the long balls from custodian Caoimhin Kelleher, rendered him unstoppable.
Ryan Gravenberch, previously a benchwarmer, developed into a midfield dynamo, weaving passes and breaking lines, while Virgil van Dijk led a defence that surrendered only 17 goals, second only to Arsenal.
Arsenal, the Gunners, remained in second place, with a defence that surrendered only 16 goals. David Raya's reflexes and a backline commanded by Gabriel and William Saliba were unwavering. But what about their attack? A bit toothless.
Mikel Arteta's team needed a striker, and their title ambitions dwindled following January defeats, leaving them 12 points behind Liverpool by April. Still, a 1-0 triumph over Chelsea demonstrated their ability to grind out results.
Is this the season's shock? Nottingham Forest, the Tricky Trees, is blossoming third. Nuno Espírito Santo transformed Forest into a counter-attacking powerhouse, eschewing possession (a league-low 39.6%) in favour of quick bursts.
Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo established a defensive wall, matching Liverpool's eight clean sheets, and Chris Wood scored goals. Their 2-1 victory against Aston Villa sent a message: Forest were Champions League hopefuls, an accomplishment inconceivable given last season's relegation scare.
Chelsea, inspired by Cole Palmer's flair, finished fourth despite having the most direct assaults (81 in open play). However, inconsistency persisted, as seen by their 2-0 loss to Ipswich Town.
Credits - EFL Cup final: What we learned as Newcastle end 56-year wait for major trophy - Premier League
Newcastle, coming off an EFL Cup victory, closed out the top five, with Alexander Isak's 13 goals making him the division's deadliest number nine. Jacob Murphy's wing wizardry provided spice, with three goals and four assists in five games.
Now, consider the fallen titans: Manchester City, the four-time reigning champions, were a ghost of themselves. Rodri's injury against Arsenal in September was a cruel blow to their hearts.
Without him, Pep Guardiola's team lost its pressing edge and conceded counter-attacks like a relegation team. A 2-1 setback to Aston Villa showed their problems, and by April, they were clinging to fifth place, hoping for a Champions League position. Erling Haaland did score, but the team's soul was lacking.
Manchester United also struggled, with a 0-2 loss to Newcastle serving as a low point. A 2-3 setback to Forest summed up their season: moments of brilliance from Alejandro Garnacho were overshadowed by defensive blunders.
Credits - Southampton FC Official Website
The promoted trio of Southampton, Leicester City, and Ipswich Town battled and ended themselves in the relegation zone. Southampton were the darkest story, sacking Russell Martin following a 0-5 thumping by Tottenham, and Ivan Jurić failed to stem the slump.
They were demoted in April, despite a valiant 1-0 victory against Everton. Leicester, led by Jamie Vardy's ageless tenacity and Facundo Buonanotte's flair, put up a fight but won only two games under Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Ipswich, however, had optimism. Kieran McKenna's team, led by Liam Delap's battering-ram runs, picked up seven points in five games, tying with Wolves for 17th.
Wolves were another failure, with Gary O'Neil fired following 11 loses in 16 games. Matheus Cunha shined, ranking first among attackers in the Premier League's Fantasy points system, but the team's 1-2 defeat to Ipswich left them wobbling.
Despite Eberechi Eze's potential, Crystal Palace were unable to capitalize on last season's late surge due to early injuries. West Ham, too, failed, dismissing Julen Lopetegui following a 4-1 loss to City and appointing Graham Potter.
Key moments defined the script:
Liverpool's 2-2 draw with Fulham demonstrated Slot's tactical changes, as he rotated midfield to secure a point. Storm Darragh, a rare act of nature that stole a Merseyside derby, forced Everton to postpone their match against Liverpool. The Etihad Stadium also witnessed history, when semi-automated offside technology made its debut in City's 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace on April 12, 2025, ironing out the creases of VAR.
The good? Liverpool's dominance and turmoil, Forest's resistance, and Fulham's modest progress under Marco Silva all contributed to a 2-1 victory over Chelsea. What about the poor? City's demise, Southampton's capitulation, and United's disarray.
As the holiday season began, the table was tight: four points separated third and 13th, guaranteeing a dramatic second act.
So, as we reach the midway point, Liverpool leads the charge, Forest dreams big, and the relegation battle simmers. Salah, Isak, and Gravenberch are the heroes, while City and United are looking for that spark. The Premier League's tale is just half told, and the upcoming chapters, filled with transfers, injuries, and clutch confrontations, will determine who reigns supreme and who goes away.
Goal proficiency in the first half of the season
To understand how teams perform we will take a look on how they handle goal scoring opportunities and if they are directly linked with a team’s performance in the season
This table represents goal proficiency in the first half of the 2024/2025 Premier League season. It compares teams' actual goals scored (GF) with their expected goals (xG) to highlight how well each team has performed in converting opportunities.
Liverpool stands out with 74 goals, far surpassing their 69.7 xG, showcasing excellent goal-scoring efficiency. Nottingham Forest also overperformed, scoring 50 goals compared to an expected 39.0, giving them a significant +11.0 difference. These figures suggest these teams have been highly proficient in converting chances into goals.
Arsenal and Wolves also show impressive goal-scoring performances, with Arsenal having 55 goals and a +5.6 difference, and Wolves scoring 46 goals with a +8.2 difference. These teams have exceeded their expected outputs, indicating strong attacking play.
On the other hand, Southampton, with 22 goals scored against an expected 28.9, is one of the teams underperforming, having a -6.9 difference, highlighting their inefficiency in attack. Similarly, Leicester City and West Ham are also below expectations, with -7.7 and -7.1 differences, respectively. These teams have struggled to convert opportunities into goals effectively.
Manchester City and Chelsea have seen less efficiency, with City scoring 61 goals, just above their expected 57.8, and Chelsea with 54 goals, but a -6.4 difference, showing they have not maximized their attacking potential as expected. In summary, this data reflects a varied level of goal-scoring proficiency across teams, with some excelling in converting chances, while others have been less efficient than anticipated.
Lets then deep dive into the second part of the season
As the new year commenced, Liverpool, guided by manager Arne Slot, with a commanding 12-point lead, their controlled yet explosive play, led by Mohamed Salah's 27 goals, positioned them as championship contenders.
Their domination continued, culminating with the Premier League Championship on April 20, 2025, with a 2-0 victory against Leicester City, their 20th championship. Salah, who scored 200 Fantasy Premier League points, was the campaign's standout, with his long-range efforts supplemented by Trent Alexander-Arnold's pinpoint passes.
Ryan Gravenberch's midfield control and Virgil van Dijk's defensive determination, which resulted in 13 clean sheets, bolstered Liverpool's season. A 2-2 draw in the Merseyside derby on February 12, where Everton's James Tarkowski equalised in the 98th minute, challenged their resolve, as did a 3-2 loss to Fulham, but Slot's clever rotations, which included Curtis Jones, secured a 97-point finish.
Credits - Havertz out for rest of the season with hamstring injury - Premier League
Arsenal, in second place with 62 points, failed to challenge Liverpool's advantage. Their defence, led by David Raya and Gabriel, remained strong, but Kai Havertz's season-ending injury in February hampered their offence. A 1-0 defeat to Fulham on April 19 ended title hopes, but Bukayo Saka's wing performance ensured Champions League qualifying.
Nottingham Forest, an unexpected revelation, finished third with 57 points because to their counter-attacking brilliance, despite a league-low 39.9% possession, aided by Chris Wood's 18 goals and Nikola Milenkovic's defensive steadiness. Nuno Espírito Santo's team's 7-0 victory over Brighton on February 1 demonstrated their Champions League potential.
Chelsea, who finished fourth, benefited from Enzo Maresca's direct style, producing 81 open-play opportunities, with Cole Palmer providing 14 goals. The emergence of Filip Jorgensen as first-choice custodian, particularly in a 1-0 victory over Tottenham, aroused controversy. Newcastle United, sixth, relied on Alexander Isak's 20 goals and EFL Cup glory, but a 3-0 defeat to Leicester showed defensive flaws.
Prominent clubs struggled severely. Manchester City, hindered by Rodri's extended absence, finished sixth, their poorest result in a decade. A 0-0 tie against Manchester United on April 7 showed their troubles, with Pep Guardiola's team giving up three "big chances" every game. Erling Haaland's 21 goals provided little consolation in a trophyless season.
Manchester United struggled with consistency during Ruben Amorim's brief reign, as seen by a 2-0 loss to Wolves on Boxing Day. Despite Alejandro Garnacho's potential, Amad Diallo's injury during a 2-0 loss to Tottenham exacerbated their problems.
Terrible season for the saints, hardly making any points this season.
Despite Russell Martin's firing after a 5-0 loss to Bournemouth, Ivan Jurić's brief stint resulted in only one league victory.
Southampton's relegation was confirmed on April 6th, following a 3-1 defeat against Tottenham. The club only achived to score 10 points from 31 matches marking a new record low in the Premier League.
Despite Ruud van Nistelrooy's efforts, Leicester City were relegated following a 0-3 loss to Newcastle on April 7, with Jamie Vardy's performance dwindling.
However, Ipswich Town surprised expectations, finishing 17th with 22 points. Kieran McKenna's squad, spearheaded by Liam Delap's nine goals, won a critical 2-1 victory over Wolves on April 5 to ensure survival, as the team was thought to become the worst performing club this season.
Credits - I never thought about leaving Wolves - BBC
Under Vitor Pereira, Wolves nearly escaped relegation, with Matheus Cunha's 13 goals crucial, but a 2-2 draw with Liverpool, marred by a contentious non-call on Ibrahima Konaté, left them dissatisfied.
Crystal Palace, despite Eberechi Eze's efforts, declined after Michael Olise's departure, with a 2-0 loss to West Ham being a low point.
West Ham, boosted by Graham Potter, surged late, with Jarrod Bowen's energy sealing a 3-1 victory over Leicester.
Defining moments shaped the season’s narrative.
Liverpool's title-winning victory over Leicester was a masterpiece, while Forest's 7-0 annihilation of Brighton resonated across the league.
Audiences were riveted by the late drama of the Merseyside Derby and the goalless Manchester Derby. The use of semi-automated offside technology, which debuted in Manchester City's 2-2 tie with Crystal Palace on April 12, improved refereeing accuracy.
Standout performers were Salah, Isak, and Wood, and Liverpool's togetherness under Slot was unparalleled. In contrast, Manchester City's decline, Manchester United's transitional troubles, and Southampton's collapse all coincided with their respective campaigns.
The Premier League's second half, which ended on May 25, 2025, reaffirmed its place as football's premier spectacle, with Liverpool's victory, Forest's rise, and Ipswich's tenacity carving out lasting chapters.
Goal proficiency in the second half of the season
The Premier League team stats chart for the second half of the 2024/2025 season indicates noticeable trends in team performance, with some particularly good and negative results.
Liverpool tops the standings with an impressive 74 goals scored and a +4.3 difference between goals and expected goals (xG), demonstrating their strong offence and efficient finishing.
Arsenal also had a powerful attack, with 55 goals and an amazing +5.6 xG difference, indicating that they surpassed their projected goals. Despite scoring 61 goals, Manchester City demonstrated vulnerabilities, with a +3.2 difference and a higher-than-expected 3.0 Big Chances conceded per game, showing defensive flaws, notably in Rodri's absence.
Weak teams such as Southampton and Leicester City have troubling statistics. Southampton has only scored 22 goals and conceded -6.9 goals less than its xG, demonstrating a severe lack of efficiency and defensive consistency.
Similarly, West Ham and Crystal Palace have struggled, with the former allowing -7.1 goals more than projected and the latter demonstrating a weak offensive and defence, as evidenced by their -8.2 xG difference. Ipswich Town, another underperforming team, with a -1.8 xG difference despite only 32 goals scored, highlighting their inability to convert opportunities successfully. These differences illustrate which teams flourish on offence and which struggle to satisfy expectations on both sides of the field.
What did this season give us and what to expect for next season
The 2024-25 Premier League season, unfolding from August 2024 to May 2025, delivered a compelling narrative of competition and drama. Liverpool, guided by astute management, secured the championship with an impressive points tally, driven by their star forward’s prolific scoring. A surprise contender, Nottingham Forest, earned a top-four finish with dynamic attacking play.
Established giants like Manchester City and Manchester United struggled, falling short of expectations, while Southampton and Leicester faced relegation, and Ipswich narrowly survived. Memorable matches, including a thrilling Merseyside derby, and technological advancements enriched the season, cementing the Premier League’s reputation as a global football pinnacle.
Credits - Why Amorim missed out on a winning start at Man Utd / Image credits: Richard Pelham - Premier League
The 2025-26 Premier League season, set to unfold from August 2025 to May 2026, promises another enthralling chapter of footballing excellence. We can aspire for Liverpool to defend their title with tactical brilliance, driven by their star forward’s continued dominance, while Nottingham Forest aim to solidify their elite status with bold attacking play.
Established giants like Manchester City and Manchester United could rebound, showcasing revitalized squads. Newly promoted sides may challenge for survival with grit, and innovative technology could further refine the game. With fierce rivalries, unexpected heroes, and gripping matches, the season will likely reaffirm the Premier League’s global preeminence.
