Half-Term Report: Which Premier League Teams Are Excelling and Which Are Struggling?

Read our comprehensive review of the Premier League season so far, including grades, analysis, and surprises.

The Premier League has officially reached its halfway mark with the start of 2025, making it the ideal time to assess each team's performance this season. This mid-season evaluation will provide a comprehensive look at how well every team has done, considering only their league performances.

When assigning grades, only Premier League matches are taken into account. Achievements in European competitions, such as the Champions League and Europa League, and domestic cups like the FA Cup and League Cup, are not included in this evaluation.

Mikel Arteta's Arsenal side began the season with a clear objective: to win the Premier League. However, despite sitting in second place with 19 games remaining, they are likely to regret not capitalizing on Manchester City's uncharacteristic struggles this season.

Arsenal's current position, six points behind leaders Liverpool having played one more game, is a significant disappointment. This is especially true given that they were well-positioned to take advantage of City's slump, but instead dropped crucial points due to avoidable red cards against Brighton, Manchester City, and Bournemouth. Furthermore, their overall performance has been underwhelming, often lacking fluidity and relying heavily on their potent threat from corner kicks.

Although Arsenal remain in the title contention, their current performance and Liverpool's commanding lead suggest a missed opportunity. A potential third second-place finish would inevitably spark questions about the team's ability to take the next step.

Aston Villa's initial target for the season was a top-six finish, which would have secured a spot in the Europa League or potentially even the Champions League. Given their fourth-place finish last season, this goal seemed achievable, especially considering the potential benefits of European competition.

However, the demands of playing in the Champions League have taken a toll on the team, as evident from their dramatic decline in form. After a promising start, Villa have managed only three wins in their last 11 league games. Despite currently sitting ninth in the table, the tight nature of the Premier League this season means they are only two points adrift of sixth place and six points behind fourth. A strong run of form could swiftly turn their season around.

Under Thomas Frank's guidance, Brentford have established themselves as a solid and formidable Premier League side, particularly at home. Their performance at the Gtech has been impressive, boasting seven wins and only two losses in 10 games, which is the second-best home record in the league.

Although their away form has been a stark contrast, with only two points garnered from nine games, Brentford's overall display has been commendable. They are comfortably positioned in mid-table, exceeding initial expectations. Moreover, the attacking duo of Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa has been one of the most exciting partnerships in England, adding to Brentford's appeal.

Brighton's season has been a mixed bag, making them a fascinating case study. Under the guidance of 31-year-old manager Fabian Hurzeler, the Seagulls made an impressive start, suffering only two losses in their first 11 games. Notably, they secured victories against top-tier teams Manchester United, Manchester City, Tottenham, and Newcastle.

However, Brighton's fortunes have since reversed, with the team failing to secure a win in their last seven games. This slump has seen them drop to 10th place in the table. Despite this, the congested nature of the league means that Brighton's situation is not dire. The key question now is whether the Seagulls will continue their downward spiral or regain their footing and start climbing the table again.

Chelsea's initial target for the season was a top-six finish, which would have been considered a successful campaign given the team's turbulent start. The surprise dismissal of Mauricio Pochettino and his replacement with Enzo Maresca, a relatively unknown quantity, added to the uncertainty. However, Maresca has exceeded expectations, transforming a disjointed Chelsea side into a cohesive unit.

Enzo Maresca's impact has been remarkable, considering the squad's significant investment of £1.5 billion under Todd Boehly. Despite initial doubts, Chelsea have produced some of the most impressive attacking football in England, even appearing as title contenders just a few weeks ago. However, a recent slump, with two losses and a draw in their last three games, has exposed defensive vulnerabilities and goalkeeping concerns. It remains to be seen how Maresca and his young Chelsea team will respond to this adversity.

Despite this setback, Chelsea's season has been exceptional, and their focus will now shift to securing a top-four finish. Maresca's ability to navigate this challenging period will be crucial in determining the team's ultimate success.

Crystal Palace's objective for the season was to build on their impressive finish to the 2023/24 campaign under Oliver Glasner, which saw them secure 10th place. A top-half finish was the target, but instead, the team endured a dismal start, managing only one win in their first 13 games.

Key players like Jean-Philippe Mateta and Eberechi Eze struggled to find their form, and the absence of Michael Olise's quality was deeply felt. However, Palace have slowly begun to turn their season around, with three wins in their last six games. This upturn in form has lifted them five points clear of the relegation zone.

A positive development has been the solidification of the back three, comprising Trevoh Chalobah, Marc Guehi, and Maxence Lacroix. This defensive foundation should provide a platform for improvement in 2025, offering hope for a brighter second half of the season.

Everton's season has followed a familiar pattern, with the team struggling to demonstrate any discernible quality, consequently finding themselves embroiled in a relegation battle. However, they have managed to stay afloat, narrowly outperforming the teams below them to ensure survival.

Under Sean Dyche's guidance, Everton have become a difficult opponent for top-tier teams, with a penchant for grinding out results. Although they have only secured three wins this season, they have earned eight draws, including notable stalemates against Newcastle, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City. However, their recent form has been concerning, with only one win in their last 10 games.

Despite their underwhelming performance, Everton's prospects of avoiding relegation remain relatively positive. While their statistics are far from impressive, with only bottom-placed Southampton having fewer wins, they are likely to have enough to stay up, even if it is by a narrow margin.

Marco Silva is arguably one of the top-performing managers in the Premier League, expertly assembling a team of misfits at Fulham and transforming them into a formidable force that consistently punches above its weight.

A closer look at Fulham's squad reveals a collection of players who were once considered surplus to requirements by other Premier League teams. Emile Smith Rowe, Alex Iwobi, Bernd Leno, and Reiss Nelson all joined from Arsenal, while Raul Jimenez revitalized his career after moving from Wolves. Harry Wilson, formerly of Liverpool, and players like Joachim Andersen, Sander Berge, and Andreas Pereira, who have all played for other Premier League outfits, have found new life at Fulham.

Under Silva's astute guidance, these players have exceeded expectations, with each one delivering their best performances. As a result, Fulham has evolved into a versatile team capable of adapting their approach to suit different opponents. A standout example of this was their historic win at Chelsea in December, which showcased the Cottagers' ability to mix pragmatism with attacking flair, and marked the highlight of their season so far.

Kieran McKenna deserves immense credit for guiding Ipswich back to the Premier League after a 21-year absence. As anticipated, the team has faced significant challenges in the top flight, but they have shown remarkable resilience and determination.

Ipswich's performances have been reminiscent of Luton's brave showing in the previous season. They have claimed several notable scalps, including an impressive away win at Tottenham in November, followed by a victory over Wolves a month later. Most recently, they secured a long-awaited home win with a convincing 2-0 triumph over Chelsea. Liam Delap and Omari Hutchinson have been standout performers, with Delap increasingly demonstrating the qualities of a top-class Premier League striker.

Despite suffering 10 losses, Ipswich remains in contention, sitting just one point adrift of safety. While they face an uphill battle, their efforts so far have given them a glimmer of hope for survival.

Leicester's return to the Premier League has been arduous, mirroring Ipswich's struggles. The challenges proved too great for manager Steve Cooper, who was ultimately sacked and replaced by Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Despite Van Nistelrooy's more cautious approach, Leicester's defensive woes have persisted, with the team conceding the most goals in the Premier League. Their poor form has resulted in them losing more games than any team except Southampton. Nevertheless, the gap between Leicester and safety remains narrow, with only a point separating them from Ipswich and two points from escaping the relegation zone.

Van Nistelrooy has pledged to adopt a more attacking philosophy, aiming to implement a more attractive style of play. However, it remains to be seen whether this tactical shift will be sufficient to propel Leicester to safety. Only time will tell if Van Nistelrooy's approach can yield the desired results.

Few predicted Liverpool's comfortable lead at the top of the league table back in August. While Manchester City and Arsenal's struggles have contributed to this scenario, the majority of the credit goes to Arne Slot, who has excelled since taking the reins in the summer.

Arne Slot inherited a strong team from Jurgen Klopp, but his ability to identify player strengths, address weaknesses, and solve tactical issues has been truly exceptional. The impressive performances of Ryan Gravenberch in midfield and Cody Gakpo's flourishing form under Slot's system are testament to his managerial prowess.

Under Slot's guidance, Liverpool have not only maintained their trademark transitional flair but have also developed a more controlled approach, adding depth to their gameplay. Slot's start has been nothing short of phenomenal, and at present, Liverpool appear to be in a league of their own. Winning the Premier League would be a remarkable achievement, and Slot is well on his way to realizing this goal.

Manchester City's season has been nothing short of catastrophic. The four-time defending champions have inexplicably imploded, falling out of title contention and losing their grip on the Premier League. A dismal run of just two wins in their last 14 games across all competitions has yielded a meager eight points from a possible 30 in the league.

Manchester City's campaign began promisingly, with many predicting a record-extending fifth consecutive title. However, it soon became apparent that their ageing squad was running out of steam. The season-ending injury to Ballon d'Or winner Rodri has been a significant blow, and teams have started to exploit City's vulnerabilities in midfield and defense. As a result, the fear factor that once surrounded Manchester City has dissipated.

Pep Guardiola has appeared increasingly frustrated and exhausted, and it is clear that a major overhaul of the squad is needed in the summer. Surprisingly, Guardiola has not attempted to adapt his tactics to address the team's struggles, instead relying on his players to dig themselves out of the hole. However, with the team's current form, a revival seems unlikely, and Guardiola will be faced with one of the biggest rebuilding tasks of his managerial career.

Manchester United's season has been an unmitigated disaster. Despite extending Erik ten Hag's contract and providing him with financial backing in the summer, the club's hierarchy made a drastic U-turn, sacking him just a few months later following a dismal start to the campaign.

New coach Ruben Amorim has inherited a squad that is, at best, average, with many of the players having been signed by Ten Hag. Amorim has struggled to make an impact, and Manchester United has plummeted to 14th in the table, with their next win seemingly nowhere in sight. The team's performances have been abysmal, with lethargic and uninspired displays becoming the norm.

The Red Devils have endured a dismal run of form, losing their last four matches in all competitions, including five defeats in their last six Premier League games. The 2-0 defeat to Newcastle at Old Trafford was a humiliating low point. With nine league defeats at the halfway mark, Manchester United's situation is alarming. Just seven points above the relegation zone, they may soon need to focus on avoiding a relegation battle. Their next fixture, a trip to Anfield, promises to be a daunting challenge.

Newcastle's season got off to a sluggish start, hindered by lingering injury issues that plagued them the previous campaign. As they navigated the challenges of European competition, several key players struggled to regain full fitness, which was reflected in their underwhelming early performances.

Despite boasting one of the league's best defensive records, Newcastle's attack lacked punch and creativity, particularly in the absence of Alexander Isak. However, as the team welcomed back their injured players, their cohesion in the final third improved significantly. The partnership between Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak has been instrumental in this resurgence, with Isak netting eight goals in his last seven appearances and helping Newcastle secure four consecutive victories.

Eddie Howe's tactical adjustments have also contributed to the team's upturn in fortunes. By deploying Sandro Tonali in the deepest midfield role, Howe has granted Bruno Guimaraes more freedom to operate. This change has paid dividends, as Newcastle have rapidly ascended the table, rediscovering the form that propelled them to Champions League qualification two seasons ago.

Nottingham Forest's transformation has been nothing short of remarkable. After two seasons of battling relegation, they have defied expectations and risen to unprecedented heights, with a European spot now a realistic target. Having been tipped as favorites for relegation, Forest's dramatic turnaround is a testament to their resilience and determination.

The club's significant investment in a large number of players over the past two years is finally yielding dividends, much like Chelsea's similar experience. A significant portion of the credit for this success belongs to Nuno Espirito Santo, who has made a strong case for being the manager of the season. Santo has astutely identified a core group of players and tailored his tactics to play to the team's strengths, emphasizing solidity and power at the back.

Veteran striker Chris Wood has been a revelation, scoring 11 Premier League goals, while the center-back duo of Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic has formed one of the league's most impressive defensive partnerships, contributing to Forest's impressive tally of just 19 conceded goals. Additionally, Ole Aina has arguably been the league's best right-back, and Elliot Anderson and Morgan Gibbs-White have excelled in midfield. Nottingham Forest's achievements warrant widespread acclaim, and there is little indication that their momentum will slow down anytime soon.

Relegation was always a likely outcome for Southampton this season, and survival would have required a remarkable turnaround. However, the manner in which they have approached the campaign, particularly under former manager Russell Martin, has been nothing short of embarrassing.

Martin's insistence on playing out from the back with a team lacking the necessary skills proved to be a disastrous strategy, leading to a succession of avoidable goals conceded week after week. This has left new coach Ivan Juric with an almost impossible task. With just one win to their name and 10 points adrift of safety, the situation is bleak. The overall lack of quality in the side makes relegation to the Championship next season almost inevitable, barring a miraculous reversal of fortunes.

While Manchester United's struggles have dominated the headlines, Tottenham's underwhelming season has flown somewhat under the radar. However, Ange Postecoglou's side has been performing similarly poorly, with the Australian manager's inflexibility and commitment to an ultra-attacking system potentially being his downfall.

Ange Postecoglou's refusal to adapt his tactics despite several key defensive injuries has come at a significant cost. Tottenham's defense has been in disarray, with 18-year-old Archie Gray and Radu Dragusin struggling to cope with the demands of Postecoglou's system. Despite boasting the league's second-highest goal tally (41), Tottenham has lost nine games and won only one of their last seven, leaving them in a precarious position.

The pressure is mounting on Postecoglou, but winning their first piece of silverware since 2008 could alleviate some of their league woes. Postecoglou had previously stated that he always wins a trophy in his second season, and Spurs fans will be hoping that he can deliver on this promise and avoid being left with egg on his face.

West Ham's season has been a major letdown for fans, who had high hopes after the club invested £130 million in new signings and appointed Julian Lopetegui as manager. The arrivals of Max Kilman, Crysencio Summerville, and Niclas Fullkrug were expected to bolster the squad, but the new recruits have failed to gel, leaving the team's performances underwhelming.

Despite the promise of a more exciting brand of football, Lopetegui's approach has been surprisingly similar to that of his predecessor, David Moyes, with a focus on defensive solidity. However, the results have not matched the ambition shown at the start of the season. West Ham's defensive record has been poor, with 35 goals conceded and eight losses, including humiliating 5-0 and 5-2 defeats to Liverpool and Arsenal at home.

Fans are growing increasingly frustrated with Lopetegui, and his position is beginning to look precarious. With little to be positive about, the Spaniard appears to be on borrowed time, and it would not be surprising if he became the next managerial casualty.

Wolves narrowly avoided an F grade, but their recent performances have earned them a slight upgrade to an E. The season began disastrously, with Gary O'Neil's side failing to secure a win until their 11th game, while struggling to keep goals out at an alarming rate.

O'Neil faced significant challenges, including the losses of club captain Max Kilman and Pedro Neto. However, the team's poor form continued, with consecutive defeats to Everton, West Ham, and Ipswich in December. The concession of a league-high 40 goals in 16 games ultimately led to O'Neil's departure.

A change in management has brought about a dramatic turnaround, with new boss Vitor Pereira guiding Wolves to an unbeaten run. Impressive victories over Leicester and Manchester United, coupled with a crucial draw at Spurs, have revitalized the team's fortunes. Led by the outstanding Matheus Cunha, one of the league's top performers this season, Wolves are finally showing signs of progress, having climbed out of the relegation zone.