Final Day Drama: 2024/25 Premier League Season Concludes

Chelsea Clinch Champions League Spot

The 2024/25 Premier League season has finally reached its conclusion, and it was a hectic final day. In the most highly anticipated game of the weekend, Chelsea came through in their clash against Champions League rivals Nottingham Forest, narrowly winning 1–0 at the City Ground through a Levi Colwill goal in the second half.

The win meant Chelsea finished 4th in the Premier League. Coupled with their 4–1 victory over Real Betis in the Conference League Final, this marked a strong debut season under new manager Enzo Maresca. Chelsea will return to the Champions League after a four-season absence.

Forest Defy Expectations

Despite missing out on a return to European football’s top competition by a single point, it was still a highly successful season for Nottingham Forest. The club far surpassed expectations; most pundits predicted either relegation or a narrow escape, but Forest were never in danger and finished 7th, securing UEFA Conference League qualification.

The 65 points they earned made them the first club in Premier League history to more than double their points from the previous season (32 points in 2023/24). Forest will now play in Europe for the first time in 30 years.

Manchester City and Newcastle Secure Champions League Spots

Manchester City defeated Fulham 2–0 at Craven Cottage, securing 3rd place and a 15th successive Champions League qualification. Newcastle United lost 1–0 at home to Everton but still finished 5th, earning a Champions League berth thanks to Aston Villa’s 2–0 defeat at Manchester United.

Aston Villa Settle for Europa League

Aston Villa’s 6th-place finish means they’ll compete in the Europa League next season. While they narrowly missed the Champions League, it still marks a third consecutive season in European competition—a historic first for the club.

Brighton Shock Spurs in 4–1 Win

Tottenham Hotspur suffered a 4–1 defeat at home to Brighton & Hove Albion. Despite leading 1–0 at half-time through a Dominic Solanke penalty, Spurs collapsed in the second half. Brighton scored four unanswered goals, including a brace from Jack Hinshelwood, a penalty from Matt O'Riley, and a superb stoppage-time goal by Diego Gómez.

Brighton finished 8th—just short of Conference League qualification due to Chelsea’s top-five finish. Still, it was a successful season under new German manager Fabian Hürzeler, the youngest manager in the Premier League at age 32. It’s also the club’s second-highest ever top-flight finish after placing 6th in 2022/23.

Tottenham: From European Glory to Domestic Gloom

Tottenham’s 17th-place league finish contrasted wildly with their Europa League success. They became the lowest-ranked domestic team to win a European trophy in the same season, surpassing West Ham’s 14th-place finish in 2022/23.

Their 17th-place finish is their worst in the Premier League era and the lowest since being relegated in 22nd place in 1976/77. The 22 league defeats equalled a club record set in 1934/35 (also a relegation year) and set a new top-flight record for most defeats by a club that avoided relegation.

So, despite securing Champions League football next season and ending a 17-year trophy drought, Spurs’ league campaign was marred by historically poor results.

Liverpool Lift the Trophy

Premier League champions Liverpool drew 1–1 with FA Cup winners Crystal Palace at Anfield. After the match, captain Virgil van Dijk received the Premier League trophy from club legend Alan Hansen.

Liverpool’s title triumph marked their 20th English top-flight league title, equalling Manchester United’s record.

Final League Standings 

1. Liverpool – 84 pts

2. Arsenal – 74 pts

3. Manchester City – 71 pts

4. Chelsea – 69 pts

5. Newcastle United – 66 pts

6. Aston Villa – 66 pts

7. Nottingham Forest – 65 pts

8. Brighton & Hove Albion – 61 pts

9. Bournemouth – 56 pts

10. Brentford – 56 pts

11. Fulham – 54 pts

12. Crystal Palace – 53 pts

13. Everton – 48 pts

14. West Ham United– 43 pts

15. Manchester United – 42 pts

16. Wolves – 42 pts

17. Tottenham Hotspur – 38 pts

18. Leicester City – 25 pts

19. Ipswich Town – 22 pts

20. Southampton – 12 pts

Champions League: Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Newcastle United, and Tottenham Hotspur (via Europa League win)
Europa League: Aston Villa
Conference League: Nottingham Forest

Manchester United’s Historic Low

Manchester United endured their worst league campaign in 51 years. They finished 15th with only 42 points—their lowest total since the three-points-for-a-win system began in 1981/82, and their worst placing since 21st and relegation in 1973/74.

Relegated Clubs

All three promoted teams were relegated:

• Leicester City

• Ipswich Town

• Southampton – Finished bottom with just 12 points, narrowly avoiding Derby County’s record-low 11 points in 2007/08.