McNulty Delivers Brutal Verdict on Every Premier League Side

BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty has published his definitive season review, grading every Premier League team's campaign and revisiting his pre-season forecasts. The verdict is scathing for some, glowing for others.

The Remarkables: Who Exceeded Expectations?

Aston Villa finished fourth under Unai Emery, securing Champions League football — a feat McNulty calls 'outstanding'. Their pressing organisation and home form (14 wins at Villa Park) were key.

Brighton, despite losing key players, secured a top-half finish under Roberto De Zerbi's tactical flexibility. Their xG differential of +14.3 ranks fifth in the league, showing sustained quality.

Crystal Palace's transformation under Oliver Glasner earned praise. From 16th in February to a final 10th place, their 1.9 points-per-game since his appointment rivals the top four.

The Shambles: Who Fell Apart?

Sheffield United's 16-point season is labelled 'catastrophic' — the third-worst in Premier League history. Their -69 goal difference highlights defensive disarray under multiple managers.

Nottingham Forest's points deduction saga and 17th-place finish is described as 'self-inflicted chaos'. Their failure to comply with Profit and Sustainability Rules cost them four points and stability.

Everton's 15-point deduction and nervy survival despite Sean Dyche's resilience draws criticism for the club's 'incompetence off the pitch'. Their wage bill-to-revenue ratio of 95% remains unsustainable.

Predictions Revisited: Hits and Misses

McNulty correctly predicted Manchester City's title win and Arsenal's challenge. However, he missed on Chelsea finishing 6th after tipping them for top four, and Liverpool's 3rd-place finish bettered his 5th-place forecast.

  • Hit: City's third consecutive league title despite dropping points in December.
  • Miss: Underestimating Aston Villa's rise to fourth under Emery's defensive solidity (12 clean sheets).
  • Miss: Overrating Manchester United's top-four chances — they finished 8th with a -1 goal difference.

What's Next: Lessons for 2025/26

Clubs like Chelsea and Manchester United must address structural weaknesses — Chelsea's 58 goals conceded was their most since 1994. Meanwhile, Arsenal's title charge suggests they need a striker to close the gap on City. For Forest and Everton, financial sustainability is the only path to survival.

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