The Premier League table since the turn of the year makes for interesting reading, with some surprise packages punching above their weight to pick up more points than the established powerhouses.

Arsenal and Man City have enjoyed largely very good form since New Year’s Day, while the likes of Aston Villa, Brentford and Brighton are doing brilliantly to compete with established members of the old ‘big six’ like Tottenham, Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea.

The Gunners’ title charge remained on course until a severe wobble in recent weeks, allowing the reigning champions Man City to make up the points since the turn of the year and clinch their third successive league title in sublime fashion. No side has picked up more points than Pep Guardiola’s City this calendar year.

Astonishingly, Aston Villa have kept pace with the title challengers over the past three and a half months. They’ve fallen away somewhat from a points point of view, mostly thanks to City’s form, but still find themselves sat above Arsenal and the rest of the league.

The top four dream is over, but Unai Emery’s side have been magnificent and could still clinch European football, while Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton have shown that their strong start to the season was no flash in the pan, securing it for themselves with a strong run of form that has seen them topple Arsenal and relegated Southampton to get over the line.

Erik ten Hag has done a sensational job to get Manchester United respectable once more. He’s ended their six-year trophy drought with the League Cup already, and they could make it a double trophy haul if they can better rivals City in the FA Cup final. However, their form has dipped just a little in their league campaign, with tired legs evidently catching up. They fell out of the title picture but look comfortably set to regain their place in the Champions League, with a top-four finish now all but guaranteed.

Speaking of the Champions League, Newcastle confirmed their return to the competition after a 20-year absence thanks to a 0-0 draw with Leicester. Their league form took a hit after losing at Wembley to United, but they’ve recovered and can now look forward to Champions League nights at St. James’ Park next season.

At the other end of the calendar year table, already relegated Southampton sit bottom with just 12 points from 20 matches. Leicester City aren’t too far ahead, though, with only 14 points themselves; their miserable 2023 resulted in the sacking of Brendan Rodgers and has them tangled into a final-day relegation scrap.

In fact, of the bottom seven sides of the 2023 table – which shockingly includes Chelsea – only two sides have kept faith in their managers. Nottingham Forest have kept Steve Cooper in the job, but Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Leeds, Everton, Southampton and Leicester have all changed managers since the turn of the year.

West Ham have also kept faith in David Moyes. Their league form has taken a hit, but their safety is secured and they managed to ensure that while also clinching a spot in the final of the Europa Conference League.

Sean Dyche, Javi Gracia, Ruben Selles, Frank Lampard, Roy Hodgson and Dean Smith have all come in and enjoyed mixed fortunes.

Hodgson has had the best new manager bounce of the lot, leading Palace to three wins from three matches, while Lampard has suffered three successive defeats since returning to Stamford Bridge.

Here’s the full Premier League table from 2023 so far:

1. Manchester City – 53 pts, GD +34 (played 21)
2. Aston Villa – 40 pts, GD +12 (played 21)
3. Arsenal – 38 pts, GD +14 (played 21)
4. Brighton – 38 pts, GD +16 (played 21)
5. Liverpool – 38 pts, GD +14 (played 21)
6. Manchester United – 37 pts, GD +7 (played 20)
7. Newcastle – 36 pts, GD +14 (played 21)
8. Brentford – 33 pts, GD +11 (played 21)
9. Wolves – 28 pts, GD -6 (played 21)
10. Fulham – 27 pts, GD +1 (played 21)
11. Tottenham – 27 pts, GD -7 (played 21)
12. West Ham – 26 pts, GD -3 (played 21)
13. Nottingham Forest – 24 pts, GD -8 (played 21)
14. Bournemouth – 23 pts, GD -15 (played 21)
15. Crystal Palace – 22 pts, GD -5 (played 21)
16. Chelsea – 19 pts, GD -8 (played 20)
17. Everton – 18 pts, GD -17 (played 21)
18. Leeds – 15 pts, GD -21 (played 21)
19. Leicester City – 14 pts, GD -14 (played 21)
20. Southampton – 12 pts, GD -20 (played 20)

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