We’re virtually midway by way of yet one more scintillating Premier League season, because the English prime flight continues to supply its compelling mixture of drama, pleasure and controversy. Within the absence of the league’s annual winter break, Christmas appears the right second to take inventory of a wide ranging 2024-25 marketing campaign.
Whether or not validating their pre-season tag of ‘darkish horses’ or utterly defying the chances, these teams have severely punched above their weight this season. Listed below are 5 groups which have carried out nicely past expectations.
Nottingham Forest
Maybe probably the most vital shock is that Nottingham Forest finds itself inside a stone’s throw of the Premier League summit. Nearly a 12 months after his appointment, Nuno Espírito Santo is now seeing his grand imaginative and prescient come to fruition.
Forest persistently demonstrates steeliness and tenacity within the defensive third while boasting a killer intuition on the prime finish of the pitch. The spearhead of Santo’s dynamic attacking proposition, Chris Woods, has already reached a double-figure targets tally this time period. Having accrued loads of factors on the street and made the Metropolis Floor an intimidating fortress, the East Midlanders could possibly be enjoying European soccer in 2025.
Bournemouth
After having fun with a welcome season of mid-table mediocrity below the stewardship of highly-rated supervisor Andoni Iraola, Bournemouth has scaled new heights throughout the 2024-25 marketing campaign. The Cherries are rubbing shoulders with Manchester Metropolis and Aston Villa and can already dream of European nights below the Vitality Stadium lights.
Justin Kluivert has abruptly replicated his legendary father’s goal-scoring prowess, netting 5 occasions in 13 league appearances this time period. Just below a month in the past, the gifted Dutchman grew to become the first-ever participant to transform three penalties in a Premier League fixture.
Brentford
Eternally billed as plucky over-achievers, Brentford might quickly not function in such lists. Now part of the Premier League furnishings, the Bees are anticipated to leap ahead from their mid-table launchpad imminently. Nonetheless, we should congratulate the West Londoners on yet one more stellar season.
No workforce has carried out higher on residence soil than Thomas Frank’s males; solely West Ham — regardless of trailing inside 38 seconds due to Bryan Mbeumo’s completely executed volley — have left the Gtech Group Stadium with a share of the spoils.
Chelsea
Given their deep pockets, star-studded squad and up to date embellished historical past, it appears ridiculous to say Chelsea may ever be punching above their weight. Given the chaos that encircled Stamford Bridge in the beginning of the season, the Blues’ present league place is miraculous.
Todd Boehly can thank two males for the Blues’ renaissance: Italian tactician Enzo Maresca and majestic attacker Cole Palmer. While the latter has devastated defenses along with his dazzling left foot, the brand new boss has put in a way of perception in Chelsea’s ranks — a top quality not seen because the Thomas Tuchel period.
Fulham
Having failed to complete larger than tenth within the Premier League because the 2011-12 season, Fulham are undoubtedly due season. While the high-profile names of that individual marketing campaign — Messrs Dempsey, Murphy and Duff spring immediately to thoughts — vanished some time again, the Cottagers’ present crop is performing nicely.
The rejuvenation of English midfielder Emile Smith-Rowe and his former Arsenal teammate Alex Iwobi’s goal-scoring type have been actual highlights.
So, there you will have it: the highest 5 Premier League groups are punching above their weight this season. Can these high-flyers preserve their trajectory into the enterprise finish of the marketing campaign? Time will solely inform. One factor’s for certain: we are able to anticipate extra thrills and spills within the coming months.
