Premier League
History Of Premier League Christmas Leaders Who Didn’t Win The Title: Can Arsenal End The Pattern?
Observers of English football often attach significance to being top of the Premier League table at Christmas.
The logic is understandable, historically, many festive leaders have gone on to lift the title. Yet, time and again, teams have learned that topping the table in December does not guarantee glory in May.
For the second season running, Arsenal sit at the Premier League summit on Christmas Day but history warns that the path from December dominance to title success is anything but straightforward.
From Norwich in 1992/93 to Arsenal in 2023/24, here’s a comprehensive look at every team that led the league at Christmas but failed to win the title and who ultimately claimed the crown instead.
1992/93: Norwich City
Norwich were surprise table-toppers in the Premier League’s inaugural season after narrowly avoiding relegation the year before.
A perfect November put them in command, but a costly six-game winless run derailed their momentum. A dreadful April sealed their fate, as Manchester United stormed to the title finishing 12 points clear of the Canaries.
1995/96: Newcastle United
Kevin Keegan’s exhilarating Newcastle side won 14 games before Christmas and held a 10-point lead over Manchester United. That stretched to 12 points in January but then came the collapse.
Five defeats in eight matches allowed Ferguson’s United to catch up, and they snatched the title by four points, immortalising Newcastle’s heartbreak.
1996/97: Liverpool
Liverpool led a three-way early title challenge alongside Newcastle and Arsenal. But an inconsistent winter period proved costly.
Manchester United powered through the second half of the season to take the title, with Liverpool finishing seven points behind.
1997/98: Manchester United
United looked strong heading into December, and despite a stumble after the New Year, they still had control.
But Arsène Wenger’s first full season brought a spectacular Arsenal surge 10 wins in a row, overtaking United and sealing the championship by a single point.
1998/99: Aston Villa
Villa opened the campaign with a 12-game unbeaten run and sat confidently at the top by Christmas.
But an eight-game February–March slump opened the door for Arsenal and Manchester United.
United eventually powered on to their famous treble-winning season, leaving Villa behind.
1999/2000: Leeds United
David O’Leary’s young Leeds started brightly, looking every bit like contenders.
But a poor January and a damaging four-game losing run killed their momentum.
Manchester United took advantage, finishing with 11 straight wins to secure the title.
2001/02: Newcastle United
Sir Bobby Robson’s exciting Newcastle side topped the table at Christmas for the second time in six years.
But defeats to Manchester United, Arsenal, and Liverpool proved fatal. Arsenal surged to the title with 13 wins from their final 16 matches.
2002/03: Arsenal
Arsenal looked favourites to retain their crown, building an early lead and playing irresistibly.
But Manchester United mounted one of their greatest turnarounds, finishing the season unbeaten from late December onward. United finished five points clear.
2003/04: Manchester United
United led at Christmas thanks to a strong December but Arsenal were busy creating history.
Wenger’s men went the entire season unbeaten, becoming The Invincibles, and won the title by 11 points.
2007/08: Arsenal
Arsenal were in superb form through the winter and into February.
Then came the turning point Eduardo’s horrific injury at Birmingham City. A five-game winless run followed, allowing United and Chelsea to claw their way back.
Manchester United ultimately won the title with 87 points.
2008/09: Liverpool
Rafael Benítez’s Liverpool suffered just two league defeats all season and looked like genuine champions-in-waiting.
But too many draws proved costly despite winning 10 of their final 11 matches. Manchester United edged them by four points.
2013/14: Liverpool
The Suarez–Sturridge–Sterling trio made Liverpool electric and dangerous. They led at Christmas and produced a remarkable second half of the season losing only once.
Unfortunately for them, that one defeat was the famous slip against Chelsea. A 3-3 collapse at Crystal Palace finished their hopes, and Manchester City snatched the title by two points.
2018/19: Liverpool
Liverpool were near-perfect, unbeaten to Christmas and finishing with a club-record 97 points.
But Manchester City were even more relentless, ending the season with 14 straight wins. City claimed the title by a single point in one of the greatest title races ever.
2020/21: Liverpool
Liverpool looked ready to retain their crown, four points clear at Christmas. But an unprecedented injury crisis decimated their squad.
Their form collapsed, and Manchester City once again powered to the title as Liverpool limped home in third.
2022/23: Arsenal
Mikel Arteta’s young Arsenal spent 248 days at the top the longest in Premier League history for a team that didn’t win the title.
Despite only one pre-Christmas defeat, a shaky run in the spring let Manchester City regain control. City finished strong to secure yet another championship.
2023/24: Arsenal
Again Arsenal led at Christmas, again Liverpool and City were close behind.
Two festive defeats to West Ham and Fulham proved decisive.
Manchester City unleashed a monstrous late run, 17 wins and 3 draws from their final 20 games, to take the title by two points.
Arsenal Are Top Again in 2025 But What Now?
For the third time in four seasons, Arsenal sits on top of the Premier League on Christmas Day.
Can Arteta’s side finally convert a festive lead into the Premier League title? History suggests caution 16 teams have held the Christmas lead and failed to finish the job.
But Arsenal will believe this year can be different.
Their squad depth is better, experience is deeper, and the scars of past failures may still fuel their long-awaited triumph.
