- Premier League teams have had their points this season compared to last term
- Man United, Arsenal and Newcastle are among the biggest underperformers
- Chris Sutton and Ian Ladyman give their best sporting moments of the year on It’s All Kicking Off
Manchester United, Arsenal and Newcastle have been revealed as the biggest underperformers compared to last season in a points comparison conducted by Opta.
The 2023-24 Premier League campaign has reached the half way stage, showing exactly who is punching above their weight and which teams have regressed based on their performances from last season.
And according to analysis from Opta, the biggest underperformers are Arsenal and Fulham, who both have ten fewer points than the same stage of last season on -10.
Arsenal were the frontrunners for the title last year after staying top of the table for much of the campaign before eventually succumbing to a brilliant Manchester City side, while this season they are still fighting as one of the main contenders, though Liverpool have edged ahead of them.
Newcastle’s struggles to adapt since last season have also been laid bare. They had nine points more at the same stage of the previous campaign after being hit with an injury crisis and juggling the demands of Premier League, Champions League and other cup competitions.
Arsenal are the biggest underperformers in the top flight compared to last season, stats show
Newcastle United have also disappointed – with nine points less after struggling to live up to their incredible season last term
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Manchester United – who are seventh in the table – are also towards the bottom end of the list as huge underperformers – eight points worse off as they continue their season of struggles under Erik ten Hag.
The Red Devils endured a bad start to the last campaign too, but eventually rallied under the Dutchman before going on to finish fourth.
Brentford are next among the list of underachievers on -7 compared to last season. The Bees are currently sliding dangerously close to the relegation places after a run of four straight defeats. Last season they were one of the surprise packages as Thomas Frank’s side went on to finish ninth.
Reigning champions Man City are only two points worse off, despite falling away from the title picture at this moment in time.
Meanwhile, Chelsea owner Todd Boehly may be disappointed to learn that even though his first campaign was a disaster – with two managerial sackings – his side are three points worse off under Mauricio Pochettino.
Man United are eight points worse off as they continue to endure a turbulent season
And Tottenham – even though many outsiders have hailed their positive new approach under Ange Postecoglou – are only three points better off.
In form Wolves and Bournemouth have highlighted just how far they’ve come under new management this season – earning eight and nine more points respectively.
And Everton have also pushed on massively – despite being hit with a 10-point deduction – displaying their fight under Sean Dyche to pick up an extra 11 points compared to last season.
League leaders Liverpool look in a much better place season after missing out on the top four entirely last campaign – and that’s reflected in the figures showing they have 13 more points compared to 22-23.
Liverpool, however, are 13 points better off as they lay a marker down as real title contenders
The surprise team at the top of the list for overachieving is West Ham – who have 18 more points compared to the same stage of last season
Aston Villa have a point more than the Reds after their flying start to the season under Unai Emery, leading to suggestions they could battle for a top four place.
But by far the biggest overachiever this season is West Ham, who are an incredible 18 points better off at this stage.
It caps a remarkable turnaround for the Hammers, who were hovering above the relegation zone at the same point last season and went on to finish 14th. Now, they’re sixth after three straight wins under David Moyes and four points off fourth-placed Manchester City.
After their famous 2-0 win over Arsenal on Thursday night, the Hammers sit on 33 points from 19 games.
