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So West Ham seem to have managed to snatch the last relegation spot from a relieved Spurs. The only way for the Hammers to survive now is for Spurs to lose at Chelsea (which is fairly likely), AND be beaten at home by Everton on the last day (which you wouldn't bet against), AND for West Ham to beat Leeds (which is possible, but (speaking as a Leeds fan) IMO not very likely).

If Spurs get a single point from their last two matches, the relegation contest will be decided on goal difference, leaving West Ham needing to beat Leeds by a dozen goals on the last day. This seems like a tough ask for the Hammers.

At the other end of the table, Man City's FA Cup victory on Saturday means that the double is on - but with the Arse two points ahead with two matches each remaining, City have to hope for an upset win by Crystal Palace and/or already relegated Burnley to really have a chance. If Burnley beat Arsenal tonight, it will be just the fifth win by Burnley from thirty seven matches, and just the sixth loss by Arsenal from the same number of matches played.

Still, anything can happen in ninety minutes, and an Arsenal loss tonight would put the double firmly in City's sights.
 
Holy bleep! Southampton were looking to promote via winning the playoff final against Hull City so they can relegate next year. And now Middlesbrough will be taking their place against Hull City as they are penalized for spying on opponents during the regular season. What sucks here is that this comes... way too darn late and Wrexham should have been provided a spot in the playoffs and Southampton be booted from the playoffs.
article said:
The EFL originally charged Southampton with spying on Middlesbrough ahead of the first leg of their playoff semifinal. But further charges were levelled at Southampton on May 17 "in relation to additional breaches during the 2025-26 season" that corresponded to their fixture against Oxford United in Dec. 2025 and Ipswich in April 2026.
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Meanwhile, in the EPL, Arsenal are the champions for the first time in over two decades. West Ham United need Tottenham to draw in their final match against Everton while West Ham need to win by 13 goals. If Tottenham lose, West Ham just needs to win.

Bolton v Stockport for the League One final promotion spot and Salford v Notts County for the League Two final promotion spot.
 
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West Ham beat Leeds 3-0 on the final day of the season to finish on 39 points, which would be enough to stay up if Spurs lost to Everton. Sadly for the Hammers, Spurs won 1-0, meaning Spurs survive by the skin of their teeth on 41 points, and West Ham go to the Championship next season.

This means that for the first time since the 1910-11 season, the top league of English football will in 2026-27 not feature a single team that begins with a "W"!










There is, of course, still a "W" in Newcastle, and Ipswich will bring another mid-word "W" to the Premier League, so it's not a total loss for "W" fans.
 
So, 2025/26 is done and dusted; Time for an early look at the table for the 2026/27 season:

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Arsenal are top, looking to repeat their victory from last year; Spurs are already looking like they could be in danger of relegation, along with Forest and Sunderland. None of that is particularly surprising, though Brentford and Bournemouth qualifying for the Champions League is a turn-up, and Liverpool and both Manchester clubs will be disappointed to find themselves in the bottom half of the table.

Of course, with only zero matches played, the rankings are by alphabetical order, and may well change once the teams actually play some football...
 
Early into the season. Liverpool are showing dominance in being technically undefeated after their first four games in the EPL just like Arsenal and Man City. For more non-partisan news on Liverpool FC's drive toward excellence follow my blog, Nothing Abuts Truth.
 
Leeds are currently playing Newcastle to round out round 4, with the winner (if there is one) to go into the top four, where they will join Arsenal, Man City, and <checks notes> Hull City, who <checks notes again> No, that really does say "Hull City". Can somebody get me some new notes, these appear to be broken.
 
bilby said:
Leeds are currently playing Newcastle to round out round 4, with the winner (if there is one) to go into the top four, where they will join Arsenal, Man City, and <checks notes> Hull City, who <checks notes again> No, that really does say "Hull City". Can somebody get me some new notes, these appear to be broken.
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Hull City have had it easy in August/September, playing the relegation doomed or otherwise pathetic squads such as Aston Villa, Coventry, and Manchester United.
 
The huge investigation into Manchester City FC has mercifully come to an end. Starting in what feels like the time between the Roman Republic / Empire, the EPL started their review of Manchester City and their books. Roughly 2000 years later, the outcome of the investigation is that Manchester City is *checks the notes* "Guilty as all hell!"

Manchester City says they will appeal and try to dwell in some gray area. It is uncertain if the appeal will take another 2000 years in which Manchester City will again break more financial rules.

The consequences of all of this are also quite unknown. This seems to be somewhat unprecedented. Everything from financial compensation to points to expulsion from the Premier League to excommunication have been raised. Bet365 has good odds on Betelgeuse going Nova before this is resolved.
 
Argyle and Stoke City are firing on all cylinders. Argyle goes typical route this season, give up goal first, then win game. They have played one more game than others, but still, they are in first in League One.

Stoke City continue to perform. Paramount+ did a smashing job of showing the second half twice in the stream. They defeat Bolton 2-1. The interesting part here was Stoke City were a man down for 70 minutes! Stoke City site 4th in the table with 16 points. How insane is the Championship? Yes, it is early, but 10th place sits at 14 points and Charlton is 12th with 13 points.

Injury hobbled Liverpool was managing Manchester City at 0-0 until Gravenberch received a second yellow and was introduced to the Locker Room. It was quite possibly one of the weakest yellows I've seen. It looked bad initially, like the cleat studs dragged on the heel of the opponent, but then in replays, kind of looked like he barely even touched the guy. Regardless, the red card was the catalyst that prevented three teams in the EPL being tied with a record of 2-4-0 (Brentford, Everton). Instead, Liverpool is tied with two other teams at 2-3-1 (tied with Hull and Leeds). And for interest sakes, Brighton is 4th and Brentford is tied for fifth.

For spin, Liverpool have twice as many wins as United. United has an infinite more number of wins than Spurs. Spurs have scored three goals in six games. Three times as many as Coventry, but that is also just Coventry whole likely be back in Championship next season.
 
After six rounds, three EPL teams are without a loss (Man City, Brentford, Everton); Three are without a win (Bornemouth, Spurs, Fulham); and four are without a draw (Man City, Arsenal, Ipswich, Coventry).

Man City have a perfect 18 points from six matches, and seem likely to finish with a positive points balance even after the League penalises them heavily for being lying fucks who fraudulently built a successful team by ignoring the rules on funding and sponsorship, and consistently lying about it to the FA.

It's easy to have the best team in the competition, if everyone but you is obeying the rules.
 
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