The 2025-26 Premier League season is complete after nine months and 380 matches, and Bill Connelly’s season roundup cataloged both the complaints and the highlights. Fans griped about set pieces, “meat walls,” VAR and the aesthetics of Arsenal’s play. The campaign also featured a number of high-profile departures, including Pep Guardiola, Mohamed Salah, Bernardo Silva and Andy Robertson, and a series of managerial exits — Manchester United’s coach was fired, Tottenham Hotspur’s first three coaches were sacked, and Liverpool’s coach remained in post at the time of the piece, according to Bill Connelly.
Connelly selected his five best matches of the season, led by Liverpool’s 4-2 season opener over Bournemouth on Aug. 15, a contest in which the Reds built and lost a two-goal lead before prevailing late. Brighton’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham on April 18 ranked second, a match in which Spurs led twice but dropped points during a season in which they rallied to avoid relegation. Aston Villa’s 2-1 win over Arsenal on Dec. 6 was noted for Emil Buendia’s stoppage-time winner. Everton’s 3-3 draw with Manchester City on May 4 and Newcastle’s 4-3 victory over Leeds on Jan. 7 rounded out the top five; Connelly called the Newcastle match an adrenaline rush and flagged City’s draw with Bournemouth as the official clincher for Arsenal’s title charge.
An extended list of honorable mentions included Manchester United 4, Bournemouth 4 (Dec. 15); Liverpool 3, Newcastle 2 (Aug. 25); Sunderland 2, Newcastle 1 (March 22); Aston Villa 4, Sunderland 3 (April 19); and Manchester City 2, Arsenal 1 (April 19), according to Connelly.
Connelly also highlighted the season’s best single-game performances. Chelsea’s João Pedro topped the list for his March 4 showing against Aston Villa, when he produced three goals and one assist in a 4-1 win. Jérémy Doku’s May 9 display versus Brentford featured a goal, six chances created, 30 progressive carries and 783 meters gained by carry distance in a 3-0 win. Bruno Fernandes’ Dec. 8 performance against Wolves — two goals and an assist — was cited as another standout.
The roundup also teased further season superlatives and categories, including best managers, best and worst signings, best players under 22, a best XI and an MVP, all cataloged by Connelly in his end-of-season awards.
