The English Premier League (EPL) is always celebrated as the most exciting league in football, and understandably so. Apart from the competitiveness, it is also unpredictable and oftentimes, that yields remarkable statistics. This league has set historic records in the form of winning streaks, underdog performances, and unbelievable statistics.
Here, we’ll be looking at some of the most unrivalled records, statistics, and surprises that come from the Premier League. A few of them will catch you unaware, so pay close attention and enjoy.
Historic Records that Still Stand
Some Premier League records have become legendary because it doesn’t look like any team will break them anytime soon. Have a look at them and you’ll agree with us:
Arsenal’s “Invincibles”
When a team has an invincible season in the league, it means they went through every game unbeaten, and that is exactly what Arsenal did in the 2003/04 season. Arsene Wenger coached the Gunners through a 38-game league run without losing a single game. They were consistent across the board, lifting the title with 26 wins and 12 draws. Since then, no other team has achieved this in the EPL.
Manchester City’s Centurion Season
In the 2017/18 season, Manchester City set the benchmark for dominance in the Premier League. Pep Guardiola’s team became the first team to reach 100 points in one season. Within 38 games, they finished with 100 points, and even more impressive, with a goal difference of +79.
Here were two other records they set that season, that was overshadowed by the centurion performance:
- Most wins in a season: 32
- Most goals scored in a season: 106
Recent Statistical Surprises
We’ve also seen some memorable surprises in the EPL, further underscoring the league's unpredictability. And that makes it one of the most exciting for new bettors to try social sportsbooks, as you can read here, where many US platforms allow betting with virtual coins instead of real money, making it easier to understand and test out this market that attracts millions of fans every year. That said, these are some of the most unexpected ones, statistics-wise:
Leicester City’s 2015/16 Title Win
The Leicester City 2015/16 title run still remains one of the most surprising feats in league history to date. To think that a team that was in the 2nd-tier division in 2014 would win it two years later over the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal, Manchester United, and other giants is unbelievable.
For you to know how wild the run was, bookmakers had Leicester City at 5,000 to 1 odds of winning at the start of the season. In the end, Claudio Ranieri was able to finish ten points clear at the end of the season.
Liverpool’s 2019/20 Season
Due to Liverpool’s impressive recent performance, many people seem to have forgotten the historical 2019/20 season. Before that season, Liverpool hadn’t won the title in 30 years. Yet, Jurgen Klopp was able to lead his team to do it in a dominating fashion.
In that historic season, Liverpool finished with 99 points, just one point shy of the century mark. Not to mention, they won the title with seven games in hand, the earliest in EPL.
Team-Specific Records and Standouts
Besides historic title runs, we have some team-specific records that will come as a surprise to you:
Chelsea’s Defensive Record (2004/05)
In the 2004/05 season, Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea conceded just 15 goals throughout the 38-game season. For context, the closest to them that season was Manchester United, with 26 goals conceded; that is 11 more than Chelsea's.
Not to mention, they scored 72 goals that season, which was the second highest, only behind Arsenal’s 87 goals. So, it is safe to say that it was a masterclass in both defense and offense at the same time.
Manchester United Titles Under Sir Alex
Manchester United, under Sir Alex Ferguson, were unstoppable. They won 13 Premier League titles during his managerial career, and even though he retired in 2013, the closest to him is Pep Guardiola, who has won 6. The team’s consistency across the 1990s and 2000s will be remembered for years to come.
Manchester City Four-Peat
Pep Guardiola showed us what it means to dominate when Manchester City won the league four times consecutively between the 2020/21 and 2023/24 seasons. No team has ever achieved that in the history of the league, and it is even more impressive that, overall, they won it six times in seven years.
Numbers Behind the Current Era
As it stands, we are going to see more shocking records in the years to come. Some players and teams are setting the bar so high, making themselves legends in the modern Premier League era. Here are some to look out for:
- Erling Haaland with Manchester City: Haaland has been exceptional for Manchester City, consistently breaking new records. One notable mention is the record for the most goals in a single EPL campaign, with 36 goals. His goal-per-game ratio is ridiculous, setting new standards for strikers in the league.
- Arsenal Resurgence Under Arteta: Arteta’s Arsenal has been consistent for a while, finishing 2nd in the league three times in a row. The team is consistent, consistently making improvements in xG, possession stats, and defensive resilience.
- Brighton’s Rise with Data-Driven Play: Brighton has shown us a model that you don’t have to spend big to get good players. They consistently outperform their budget, leveraging data and analytics to recruit talent that delivers on the big stage.
Wrap Up
The Premier League is constantly evolving with players settling and breaking records, but some just look so untouchable. Even with the growing numbers, it will take great imagination to topple them. But it isn’t impossible; we’re excited to see players and teams aim higher every season.
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