Welcome to Football Playback, where we bring football history back to life by diving deep into some of the most unforgettable seasons. Today, we’re focusing on the 2009 to 2010 Premier League table—a season that brought high drama, standout performances, and an unforgettable title race.
Whether you’re here to relive those moments or discover them for the first time, head over to our 2009-2010 Premier League page to watch the matches and experience the thrill of the season all over again. Now, let’s break down this incredible season, from the fierce title battle to the fight for European places and the struggle to avoid relegation.
Take a look at the 2009 to 2010 Premier League table below to see how this unforgettable season unfolded.
2009 to 2010 Premier League Table: Chelsea’s Title Triumph
The 2009 to 2010 Premier League season is remembered for Chelsea’s emphatic title win under the guidance of Carlo Ancelotti, in what was his first season as manager. Chelsea’s attacking power and consistency throughout the campaign saw them win their third Premier League title, finishing with a staggering 103 goals—the highest ever recorded in a Premier League season at the time.
Chelsea topped the table with 86 points, finishing just one point ahead of Manchester United in a dramatic title race that went down to the final day of the season. The team’s attack, led by Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard, and Nicolas Anelka, was unstoppable. Drogba had an extraordinary season, scoring 29 league goals and securing the Golden Boot. Lampard, with his intelligent runs from midfield and eye for goal, added 22 goals and 17 assists, further cementing his status as one of the Premier League’s all-time greats.
Chelsea’s ability to score freely was complemented by a solid defense. Captain John Terry, alongside Branislav Ivanović, Ashley Cole, and goalkeeper Petr Čech, ensured Chelsea remained resilient at the back. They recorded 18 clean sheets over the course of the season, making them a formidable force.
One of the standout moments came on the final day of the season, when Chelsea needed to secure a win to guarantee the title. They did so in spectacular fashion, thrashing Wigan Athletic 8-0 at Stamford Bridge. Drogba scored a hat-trick, and Chelsea’s relentless attacking display ensured they finished the season on a high, breaking records and lifting the trophy.
Ancelotti’s tactical flexibility and calm leadership helped Chelsea secure the title, as they won crucial matches against their title rivals, including a 2-1 win at Old Trafford in April that proved decisive in the title race.
2009 to 2010 Premier League Table: Manchester United’s Close Challenge
While Chelsea celebrated their title win, Manchester United pushed them all the way, finishing second in the 2009 to 2010 Premier League table with 85 points—just one behind the champions. Sir Alex Ferguson’s side came close to securing their fourth consecutive Premier League title, but a few slip-ups during the campaign ultimately cost them.
Cristiano Ronaldo had left for Real Madrid the previous summer, but United adapted well to his absence, with Wayne Rooney stepping up as the team’s main attacking threat. Rooney had an exceptional season, scoring 26 league goals and being named the PFA Players’ Player of the Year. His performances, particularly in the first half of the season, were key to keeping United in the title race.
Alongside Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov contributed with his creative play and technical brilliance, while midfielders like Darren Fletcher and Paul Scholes provided the balance and experience that Ferguson’s teams were known for. Defensively, Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidić continued to form a strong partnership at the back, though injuries to both players at different points of the season affected United’s consistency.
One of the defining moments of United’s season came in April 2010, when they faced Chelsea at Old Trafford in a crucial title showdown. United lost 2-1 in a fiercely contested match, with goals from Joe Cole and Didier Drogba proving decisive. The result swung the title race firmly in Chelsea’s favour, and despite United’s strong finish to the season, they were unable to overtake the London club.
United’s performances in the 2009 to 2010 Premier League table showed their resilience and quality, but ultimately, their inability to win key matches against their title rivals, combined with some unexpected results—such as a 1-0 loss to Burnley early in the season—cost them the chance to retain their crown.
2009 to 2010 Premier League Table: Arsenal and Tottenham’s European Success
The 2009 to 2010 Premier League table also saw Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur secure their places in the top four, with both teams qualifying for the UEFA Champions League. Arsenal, managed by Arsène Wenger, finished third with 75 points, while Tottenham, under Harry Redknapp, finished fourth with 70 points, marking their return to Europe’s elite competition after nearly 50 years.
Arsenal’s season was built around their attacking style of football, with young stars like Cesc Fàbregas and Samir Nasri pulling the strings in midfield. Fàbregas, in particular, was outstanding, scoring 15 goals and providing 15 assists despite missing the final stretch of the season due to injury. Robin van Persie and Andrey Arshavin added to Arsenal’s attacking threat, with van Persie’s return from injury late in the season helping Arsenal secure third place.
Despite their flair going forward, Arsenal’s title challenge faltered in the latter part of the season as injuries and defensive vulnerabilities became apparent. Nevertheless, their third-place finish was an indication of the team’s potential, and Wenger’s faith in young players continued to pay dividends.
Tottenham Hotspur’s fourth-place finish was one of the biggest stories of the season. Under Redknapp’s management, Spurs played exciting, attacking football and consistently picked up points against their top-four rivals. Gareth Bale, in particular, emerged as one of the breakout stars of the season, with his pace, crossing ability, and goals from the wing making him a fan favourite.
Tottenham’s 2-1 victory over Manchester City in May 2010 secured their place in the Champions League for the first time, with goals from Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe ensuring Spurs would finish in the top four. This result was seen as a defining moment in the club’s recent history, as they cemented their place among the elite of English football.
Spurs’ success in the 2009 to 2010 Premier League table highlighted the increasing competitiveness of the league, with several clubs capable of breaking into the top four and challenging the established powers.
2009 to 2010 Premier League Table: The Battle for European Places
Beyond the top four, the 2009 to 2010 Premier League table also saw a fierce battle for the remaining European places, with Manchester City, Aston Villa, and Liverpool fighting for a spot in the UEFA Europa League.
Manchester City, under the guidance of Roberto Mancini, finished fifth with 67 points, narrowly missing out on a Champions League spot. City’s season was notable for the significant investment made by their new owners, which saw players like Carlos Tévez, Emmanuel Adebayor, and Gareth Barry join the club. Tévez, in particular, was outstanding, scoring 23 league goals and leading City’s charge for a top-four finish.
Despite their strong performances, City’s inability to win key matches, including the aforementioned 2-1 loss to Tottenham in May, saw them fall short in their quest for Champions League football. However, their fifth-place finish marked significant progress, and City’s rise in the 2009 to 2010 Premier League table was a sign of things to come.
Aston Villa, managed by Martin O’Neill, finished sixth with 64 points, securing their third consecutive season of Europa League qualification. Villa’s campaign was built on solid defending, with Richard Dunne and James Collins forming a formidable partnership at the back, while Ashley Young and Stewart Downing provided the attacking threat on the wings. Gabriel Agbonlahor and John Carew were Villa’s top scorers, and their ability to convert chances kept Villa in contention for European places throughout the season.
Liverpool, on the other hand, endured a disappointing season, finishing seventh with 63 points. After finishing second in the previous campaign, hopes were high that Rafael Benítez’s side could challenge for the title, but inconsistency and injuries to key players derailed their season. Fernando Torres, despite scoring 18 goals, missed significant portions of the season through injury, while Steven Gerrard struggled to maintain his usual high standards.
Liverpool’s seventh-place finish in the 2009 to 2010 Premier League table saw them miss out on Champions League football for the first time since 2003, signaling a period of uncertainty for the club.
2009 to 2010 Premier League Table: The Relegation Battle
At the other end of the 2009 to 2010 Premier League table, the relegation battle was fiercely contested, with several clubs fighting to secure their top-flight status. In the end, Burnley, Hull City, and Portsmouth were the three clubs that faced relegation to the Championship.
Burnley, who had been promoted to the Premier League at the start of the season, struggled to adapt to life in the top flight, finishing 18th with just 30 points. Despite a few notable victories, including a 1-0 win over Manchester United at Turf Moor in August, Burnley’s lack of defensive solidity and firepower upfront ultimately saw them relegated after just one season.
Hull City finished 19th with 30 points, enduring a difficult campaign in their second season in the Premier League. Managed by Phil Brown for most of the season and later by Iain Dowie, Hull were unable to build on their strong start to the previous season and were relegated after losing key matches in the final weeks of the campaign.
Portsmouth’s relegation was perhaps the most dramatic of all. The club had been beset by financial troubles throughout the season, with ownership issues and mounting debts affecting their performances on the pitch. Despite reaching the FA Cup final, where they lost to Chelsea, Portsmouth finished bottom of the 2009 to 2010 Premier League table with just 19 points and were relegated after a season of turmoil both on and off the pitch.
The relegation battle in the 2009 to 2010 Premier League season was a reminder of the high stakes involved in top-flight football, as clubs fought for survival amid financial pressures and the ever-growing competitiveness of the league.
Comentarios