As the calendars turn to 2026, let's take a stroll down the football lane of 2025—a year that's been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride in the Premier League. With teams jostling for supremacy and unexpected twists throughout the year, the top of the table paints a picture of ambition and relentless pursuit of glory.
In an impressive show of grit and consistency, Arsenal stands out as the team of the year. While they stumbled with a few draws earlier in 2025, their resilience has positioned them as frontrunners for that long-elusive Premier League trophy, a quest they’ve been on since their last win in 2004. They may well be crafting a fairy tale ending to their lengthy silverware drought.
Manchester City's journey this past year is akin to a phoenix rising from the ashes. The Cityzens had their backs against the wall with the worst run under Pep Guardiola spilling from late 2024 into early 2025. Yet, true to form, Guardiola’s side bounced back emphatically, currently enjoying a six-match winning streak in the league that fuels their campaign for the top honors once again.
2025 proved to be a year to remember for Aston Villa, delighting fans with a return to Champions League football and a record-equaling 11 straight victories towards the year's end. Their surge is in stark contrast to Liverpool, who, despite basking in the afterglow of last season’s title triumph, suffered a dip in form that sees them placed fourth.
Chelsea, under Enzo Maresca, has shown flashes of brilliance interspersed with patches of inconsistency. Nevertheless, their 2025 journey saw them secure two trophies and favorable looks towards a brighter future.
On the other hand, Crystal Palace's year was one for the history books. Their FA Cup victory has not only brought joy but also a marked improvement in their league standings, positioning them as competitive contenders amidst traditional giants.
Brentford, even in the face of significant summer changes and departures, have punched well above their weight, proving that team spirit and tactical acumen can often trump star-studded line-ups. Meanwhile, Everton, under the familiar stewardship of David Moyes and boosted by their new stadium, has finally started to turn the tide, providing their fans with much-needed optimism.
Naturally, my focus wouldn't be complete without a nod to our beloved Newcastle United. The lads have shown resilience and tenacity to hold their own in the top six amidst some tumultuous patches. As I've always championed, we're on our way, not just to win the Premier League but also to march triumphantly all the way to the FA Cup final. The future's bright, the future's black and white!
As usual, we’re also keeping a keen eye on Brighton, who continue to solidify their position among the Premier League’s top echelons.
While the top half's endeavours paint promising pictures, curiosity still lurks around how the bottom half managed. But let's end on a lighter note: How many Sunderland fans does it take to change a light bulb? None, they're still trying to figure out how to climb back up to the Premier League! Keep posted for more updates and hopefully, a lot more laughs at our neighbours’ expense.
Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike Alexander Isak
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