The 2019–20 Premier League was the 28th season of the Premier League, the top English professional football league, since its establishment in 1992, and the 121st season of top-flight English football overall. The season started on 9 August 2019 and concluded on 26 July 2020. Manchester City were the defending champions for the second successive year, after picking up the domestic treble the previous season.

The season was halted for over three months, following a decision on 13 March 2020 by the Premier League to suspend the league after a number of players and other club staff became ill due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The initial suspension, until 4 April, was then extended to mid-June. The season recommenced with two matches on 17 June and a full round of matches played over the weekend of 19–22 June.

Liverpool were crowned champions for the first time since 1990. Their title win was also the club's first of the Premier League era and nineteenth overall. Over the season, the club set a number of English top-flight records including the earliest title win (with seven games to spare), the latest title win (securing the title on 25 June), the biggest points lead at any time (25), and the most consecutive home wins (24, of which 7 were carried over from the previous season).

The season introduced the video assistant referee (VAR) review system. Changes to the laws affecting backpasses, penalties, handballs and substitutions were also introduced in 2019–20.

Summary

The Premier League season marked the start of a new three-year TV deal. One key change was that eight matches were shown on television at 19:45 on Saturdays across the season, broadcast by Sky Sports. Further, Amazon broadcast two rounds of fixtures in December, including the Merseyside derby, marking the first time an entire round of live matches had been broadcast domestically.

It was the first Premier League season to have a mid-season break in February. Three games of a normal round of ten were played on the weekend 8–9 February 2020, six games on the following weekend 14–17 February and the tenth game, Manchester City versus West Ham United, was rescheduled from 9 February to 19 February due to Storm Ciara. Games played on the same day had separate time slots such that the games did not overlap.

Title race

With Manchester City and Liverpool achieving 98 and 97 points respectively in the 2018–19 season, many expected another close race for the title. Liverpool led the 2019-20 Premier League for almost all of the season, eventually finishing as champions and marking their first league title in 30 years and their first of the Premier League era after Manchester City lost 2-1 to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on 25 June 2020.

Upon winning the league, Liverpool claimed the unusual achievement of winning the Premier League earlier than any other team by games played (with seven games remaining) and later than any other team by date (the only team to clinch the title in the month of June).

Records and achievements

On 25 October 2019, Leicester City broke the Premier League record – as well as the all-time English top-flight record – for the largest away league win and equalled the biggest ever Premier League win when they defeated Southampton 9–0 at St Mary's Stadium.

During the season, Liverpool broke or tied several Premier League all-time records. They achieved a record-equalling 18 consecutive wins before being defeated by Watford on 29 February. They also set records of 24 consecutive home wins, and a 25-point lead in the table at any time.

On 12 January 2020, in a 6–1 victory over Aston Villa, Manchester City's Sergio Agüero broke Thierry Henry's Premier League record for most goals scored by an overseas player. In the same match, he also broke the record for most hat-tricks scored by a single player (12), previously held by Alan Shearer.

Black Lives Matter impact

As a gesture of solidarity following the murder of George Floyd, players' names on the back of their shirts were replaced with 'Black Lives Matter' for the first 12 matches of the restarted season as well as replacing the Premier League badge for the BLM's for the rest of the season. The Premier League also gave their support for any player who chooses to "take a knee" before or during matches. In addition, the NHS tribute badge was also used at all kits for the remainder of the season.

Relegation battle

On 11 July 2020, Norwich City became the first team to be relegated to the Championship after a 4–0 defeat at home to West Ham United with three games remaining. On 26 July 2020, the final day of the season, Bournemouth were the second team to be relegated to the Championship, despite winning 3–1 away to Everton. Watford were the final team to be relegated to the Championship on the same day, after losing 3–2 away to Arsenal. Both of these results were coupled with Aston Villa's 1–1 draw against West Ham United, ensuring Aston Villa safety in the Premier League for another season. Coincidentally, the three relegated teams were the same teams promoted to the Premier League for the 2015–16 season.

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic

From March 2020, the season was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. On 10 March, the match between Manchester City and Arsenal, due to be played the next day after being rescheduled due to City's participation in the 2020 EFL Cup final, was postponed. A number of Arsenal players had made close contact with Olympiacos owner Evangelos Marinakis, who had tested positive for infection with the coronavirus, when the two teams had met in the Europa League 13 days earlier. It was the first football season in England to be halted since the 1939–40 season was abandoned after only three games following the outbreak of the Second World War.

On 12 March, it was revealed that three Leicester City players were self-isolating. Manchester City announced that their defender Benjamin Mendy was also self-isolating, after a family member displayed symptoms of the virus. Later in the evening, it was then confirmed that Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta had tested positive for coronavirus. As a result of Arteta's positive test, the match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Arsenal, scheduled for 14 March at the Amex, was postponed. On 13 March, Chelsea announced that their winger Callum Hudson-Odoi had tested positive for coronavirus.

On 13 March, following an emergency meeting between the Premier League, The Football Association (FA), the English Football League and the FA Women's Super League, it was unanimously decided to suspend professional football in England until at least 4 April 2020. On 19 March, the suspension was extended to at least 30 April 2020. At the same time the FA agreed to extend the season indefinitely, past the scheduled end date of 1 June. In April 2020, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock, called on Premier League players to take a pay cut during the pandemic. The PFA rejected the call as they felt that a cut for all players would impact the Exchequer with a loss of income tax revenue. Several clubs, including Watford, Southampton and West Ham United, all agreed to defer their wages. Even there was considered the option of cancelling the championship. Later in April, the Premier League produced a plan, nicknamed "Project Restart", aimed at restarting the league and playing all 92 remaining matches over a six-week period at approved, neutral stadiums. Watford, Aston Villa and Brighton, all near the bottom of the table, were of the opinion that it would be unfair to play the games in such different conditions when at risk of relegation but would be more in favour if the threat of relegation was removed. From 19 May 2020, players were allowed to return to group training in preparation for restarting the league. They were permitted to be in groups of no more than five with all training sessions lasting no longer than 75 minutes for each player. Social distancing rules must be adhered to during the sessions. On 17 and 18 May, a total of 748 players and staff were tested for COVID-19. Six tests proved positive including Adrian Mariappa of Watford and Burnley assistant manager, Ian Woan. Later in May, Aaron Ramsdale of Bournemouth also returned a positive test for the virus.

A number of players, including Manchester City's Raheem Sterling and Sergio Agüero and Aaron Cresswell of West Ham United, voiced concerns relating to the safety of restarting the campaign. Danny Rose of Newcastle United called the decision to restart "a joke". Troy Deeney of Watford said he would not return to training because of fear for his family's health. N'Golo Kanté of Chelsea also missed training with safety concerns. On 27 May, the clubs voted unanimously to resume contact training. Aston Villa's Tyrone Mings said the players had not been consulted regarding restarting the league and that the restart was "financially driven".

On 28 May, clubs agreed that the season would restart on 17 June, with the two games in hand of Manchester City vs Arsenal and Aston Villa vs Sheffield United, with the first full round of fixtures since March to be played on the weekend of 19–21 June, with all matches played behind closed doors. A plan was announced for all remaining matches to be televised, and to widen the availability of domestic broadcasts: for the first time, the BBC gained rights to broadcast four live matches on free-to-air television, while Sky announced plans to carry 25 matches on its free-to-air channel Pick. Amazon were allotted four matches. and announced it would provide a means of streaming them for free without an Amazon Prime subscription; on 18 June it was announced that these matches would be carried on its video game live streaming service Twitch. All broadcasters showed the matches with artificial crowd noise, whilst also providing an alternative option for viewers to watch the matches without the added effects.

On 4 June, the Premier League announced that teams would be allowed to name nine substitutes per match, instead of the usual seven, and that teams could use five substitutes per match instead of three.

Aston Villa vs. Sheffield United and Manchester City vs. Arsenal on 17 June were the first games played after the pandemic enforced break.

Financial services company Deloitte estimated that Premier League clubs would face a £1 billion loss of revenue for the 2019–20 season, £500 million being accounted for in rebates to broadcasters and loss of matchday revenue.

Further tests for the virus were carried out on 11 and 12 June. Two unnamed people provided a positive result including one player from Norwich City who would be required to self-isolate thereby missing the first fixture of the restarted season. Following these tests there had been 16 positive results from 8,687 tests.

Before the restart of games the Premier League produced a set of guidelines to be followed at all games. They stipulated that all matches must be played behind closed doors, with the number of key people allowed inside the stadium limited to 300. All stadiums are divided into three zones — red (includes pitch and technical areas), amber (stands) and green (stand concourses) — and there are restrictions on who is allowed to enter each. There is staggered entry on to the pitch for players and staff and no handshakes are allowed before kick-off. Deep cleaning of corner flags, goalposts, substitution boards and match balls takes place before and after each fixture as standard. Extra disinfection, such as of the substitution board after it is used, is likely during matches and at half-time. Additional measures include that players and coaching staff must observe social distancing rules when travelling to and from games, and post-match broadcast interviews must take place pitchside with press conferences conducted virtually.

Schedule changes
MatchdayOriginal datesRevised dates
3014–16 March19–22 June
3120–22 March23–25 June
324–6 April27 June – 2 July
3310–13 April4–6 July
3418–20 April7–9 July
3525–27 April11–13 July
362–4 May14–17 July
379–11 May18–22 July
3817 May26 July

Teams

Twenty teams competed in the league – the top seventeen teams from the previous season and the three teams promoted from the Championship. The promoted teams were Norwich City, Sheffield United and Aston Villa. Norwich City and Aston Villa returned to the top flight after absences of three years, while Sheffield United returned after a twelve-year absence. They replaced Cardiff City, Fulham (both teams relegated to the Championship after one season back in the top flight) and Huddersfield Town (relegated after two years in the top flight). Cardiff City's relegation means that this season was the first without a side from Wales since the 2010–11 season.

Stadiums and locations

2019–20 Premier League is located in England
Locations of the 2019–20 Premier League teams
Greater London Premier League football clubs
Greater London Premier League football clubs

Note: Table lists in alphabetical order.

TeamLocationStadiumCapacity
ArsenalLondon (Holloway)Emirates Stadium60,704
Aston VillaBirminghamVilla Park42,785
BournemouthBournemouthDean Court11,329
Brighton & Hove AlbionFalmerFalmer Stadium30,750
BurnleyBurnleyTurf Moor21,944
ChelseaLondon (Fulham)Stamford Bridge40,834
Crystal PalaceLondon (Selhurst)Selhurst Park25,486
EvertonLiverpool (Walton)Goodison Park39,414
Leicester CityLeicesterKing Power Stadium32,243
LiverpoolLiverpool (Anfield)Anfield53,394
Manchester CityManchester (Bradford)City of Manchester Stadium55,097
Manchester UnitedTrafford (Old Trafford)Old Trafford74,879
Newcastle UnitedNewcastle upon TyneSt James' Park52,388
Norwich CityNorwichCarrow Road27,244
Sheffield UnitedSheffieldBramall Lane32,125
SouthamptonSouthamptonSt Mary's Stadium32,505
Tottenham HotspurLondon (Tottenham)Tottenham Hotspur Stadium62,303
WatfordWatfordVicarage Road22,220
West Ham UnitedLondon (Stratford)London Stadium60,000
Wolverhampton WanderersWolverhamptonMolineux Stadium32,050

Personnel and kits

TeamManagerCaptainKit manufacturerShirt sponsor (chest)Shirt sponsor (sleeve)
ArsenalSpain Mikel ArtetaGabon Pierre-Emerick AubameyangAdidasEmiratesVisit Rwanda
Aston VillaEngland Dean SmithEngland Jack GrealishKappaW88BR88
BournemouthEngland Eddie HoweEngland Simon FrancisUmbroVitalityMansion Group
Brighton & Hove AlbionEngland Graham PotterEngland Lewis DunkNikeAmerican ExpressJD
BurnleyEngland Sean DycheEngland Ben MeeUmbroLoveBet
ChelseaEngland Frank LampardSpain César AzpilicuetaNikeThreeHyundai
Crystal PalaceEngland Roy HodgsonSerbia Luka MilivojevićPumaManBetXDongqiudi
EvertonItaly Carlo AncelottiRepublic of Ireland Séamus ColemanUmbroSportPesaAngry Birds
Leicester CityNorthern Ireland Brendan RodgersJamaica Wes MorganAdidasKing PowerBia Saigon
LiverpoolGermany Jürgen KloppEngland Jordan HendersonNew BalanceStandard CharteredWestern Union
Manchester CitySpain Pep GuardiolaSpain David SilvaPumaEtihad AirwaysNexen Tire
Manchester UnitedNorway Ole Gunnar SolskjærEngland Harry MaguireAdidasChevroletKohler
Newcastle UnitedEngland Steve BruceEngland Jamaal LascellesPumaFun88StormGain
Norwich CityGermany Daniel FarkeScotland Grant HanleyErreàDafabetBest Fiends
Sheffield UnitedEngland Chris WilderEngland Billy SharpAdidasUnion Standard Group
SouthamptonAustria Ralph HasenhüttlEngland James Ward-ProwseUnder ArmourLD SportsVirgin Media
Tottenham HotspurPortugal José MourinhoFrance Hugo LlorisNikeAIANone
WatfordEngland Hayden Mullins (interim)England Troy DeeneyAdidasSportsbet.ioBitcoin
West Ham UnitedScotland David MoyesEngland Mark NobleUmbroBetwayScope Markets
Wolverhampton WanderersPortugal Nuno Espírito SantoEngland Conor CoadyAdidasManBetXCoinDeal

Managerial changes

TeamOutgoing managerManner of departureDate of vacancyPosition in tableIncoming managerDate of appointment
Brighton & Hove AlbionRepublic of Ireland Chris HughtonSacked13 May 2019Pre-seasonEngland Graham Potter20 May 2019
ChelseaItaly Maurizio SarriSigned by Juventus16 June 2019England Frank Lampard4 July 2019
Newcastle UnitedSpain Rafael BenítezEnd of contract30 June 2019England Steve Bruce17 July 2019
WatfordSpain Javi GraciaSacked7 September 201920thSpain Quique Sánchez Flores7 September 2019
Tottenham HotspurArgentina Mauricio Pochettino19 November 201914thPortugal José Mourinho20 November 2019
ArsenalSpain Unai Emery29 November 20198thSpain Mikel Arteta20 December 2019
WatfordSpain Quique Sánchez Flores1 December 201920thEngland Nigel Pearson6 December 2019
EvertonPortugal Marco Silva5 December 201918thItaly Carlo Ancelotti21 December 2019
West Ham UnitedChile Manuel Pellegrini28 December 201917thScotland David Moyes29 December 2019
WatfordEngland Nigel Pearson19 July 202017thEngland Hayden Mullins (interim)19 July 2020

League table

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification or relegation
1Liverpool (C)3832338533+5299Qualification for the Champions League group stage
2Manchester City38263910235+6781
3Manchester United38181286636+3066
4Chelsea38206126954+1566
5Leicester City38188126741+2662Qualification for the Europa League group stage
6Tottenham Hotspur381611116147+1459Qualification for the Europa League second qualifying round
7Wolverhampton Wanderers38151495140+1159
8Arsenal381414105648+856Qualification for the Europa League group stage
9Sheffield United381412123939054
10Burnley38159144350−754
11Southampton38157165160−952
12Everton381310154456−1249
13Newcastle United381111163858−2044
14Crystal Palace381110173150−1943
15Brighton & Hove Albion38914153954−1541
16West Ham United38109194962−1339
17Aston Villa3898214167−2635
18Bournemouth (R)3897224065−2534Relegation to EFL Championship
19Watford (R)38810203664−2834
20Norwich City (R)3856272675−4921

Results

Home \ AwayARSAVLBOUBHABURCHECRYEVELEILIVMCIMUNNEWNORSHUSOUTOTWATWHUWOL
Arsenal—3–21–01–22–11–22–23–21–12–10–32–04–04–01–12–22–23–21–01–1
Aston Villa1–0—1–22–12–21–22–02–01–41–21–60–32–01–00–01–32–32–10–00–1
Bournemouth1–12–1—3–10–12–20–23–14–10–31–31–01–40–01–10–20–00–32–21–2
Brighton & Hove Albion2–11–12–0—1–11–10–13–20–21–30–50–30–02–00–10–23–01–11–12–2
Burnley0–01–23–01–2—2–40–21–02–10–31–40–21–02–01–13–01–11–03–01–1
Chelsea2–22–10–12–03–0—2–04–01–11–22–10–21–01–02–20–22–13–00–12–0
Crystal Palace1–11–01–01–10–12–3—0–00–21–20–20–21–02–00–10–21–11–02–11–1
Everton0–01–11–31–01–03–13–1—2–10–01–31–12–20–20–21–11–11–02–03–2
Leicester City2–04–03–10–02–12–23–02–1—0–40–10–25–01–12–01–22–12–04–10–0
Liverpool3–12–02–12–11–15–34–05–22–1—3–12–03–14–12–04–02–12–03–21–0
Manchester City3–03–02–14–05–02–12–22–13–14–0—1–25–05–02–02–12–28–02–00–2
Manchester United1–12–25–23–10–24–01–21–11–01–12–0—4–14–03–02–22–13–01–10–0
Newcastle United0–11–12–10–00–01–01–01–20–31–32–21–0—0–03–02–11–31–12–21–1
Norwich City2–21–51–00–10–22–31–10–11–00–13–21–33–1—1–20–32–20–20–41–2
Sheffield United1–02–02–11–13–03–01–00–11–20–10–13–30–21–0—0–13–11–11–01–0
Southampton0–22–01–31–11–21–41–11–20–91–21–01–10–12–13–1—1–02–10–12–3
Tottenham Hotspur2–13–13–22–15–00–24–01–03–00–12–01–10–12–11–12–1—1–12–02–3
Watford2–23–00–00–30–31–20–02–31–13–00–42–02–12–10–01–30–0—1–32–1
West Ham United1–31–14–03–30–13–21–21–11–20–20–52–02–32–01–13–12–33–1—0–2
Wolverhampton Wanderers0–22–11–00–01–12–52–03–00–01–23–21–11–13–01–11–11–22–02–0—

Season statistics

Scoring

Top scorers

Jamie Vardy won the Premier League Golden Boot after scoring 23 goals, becoming the oldest player to win the award.
RankPlayerClubGoals
1England Jamie VardyLeicester City23
2Gabon Pierre-Emerick AubameyangArsenal22
England Danny IngsSouthampton
4England Raheem SterlingManchester City20
5Egypt Mohamed SalahLiverpool19
6England Harry KaneTottenham Hotspur18
Senegal Sadio ManéLiverpool
8Mexico Raúl JiménezWolverhampton Wanderers17
France Anthony MartialManchester United
England Marcus RashfordManchester United

Hat-tricks

Raheem Sterling scored two hat-tricks this season, and was the only player to score multiple hat-tricks.
PlayerForAgainstResultDate
England Raheem SterlingManchester CityWest Ham United5–0 (A)10 August 2019
Finland Teemu PukkiNorwich CityNewcastle United3–1 (H)17 August 2019
England Tammy AbrahamChelseaWolverhampton Wanderers5–2 (A)14 September 2019
Portugal Bernardo SilvaManchester CityWatford8–0 (H)21 September 2019
Spain Ayoze PérezLeicester CitySouthampton9–0 (A)25 October 2019
England Jamie Vardy
United States Christian PulisicChelseaBurnley4–2 (A)26 October 2019
Argentina Sergio AgüeroManchester CityAston Villa6–1 (A)12 January 2020
France Anthony MartialManchester UnitedSheffield United3–0 (H)24 June 2020
England Michail Antonio4West Ham UnitedNorwich City4–0 (A)11 July 2020
England Raheem SterlingManchester CityBrighton & Hove Albion5–0 (A)11 July 2020

Notes

4 Player scored 4 goals (H) – Home team (A) – Away team

Clean sheets

Ederson won the Premier League Golden Glove after keeping 16 clean sheets for Manchester City.
RankPlayerClubClean sheets
1Brazil EdersonManchester City16
2England Nick PopeBurnley15
3Brazil AlissonLiverpool13
Spain David de GeaManchester United
England Dean HendersonSheffield United
Portugal Rui PatrícioWolverhampton Wanderers
Denmark Kasper SchmeichelLeicester City
8Slovakia Martin DúbravkaNewcastle United11
9Spain Vicente GuaitaCrystal Palace10
10England Ben FosterWatford9
England Jordan PickfordEverton
Australia Mathew RyanBrighton & Hove Albion

Discipline

Player

Club

Awards

Monthly awards

MonthManager of the MonthPlayer of the MonthGoal of the MonthReferences
ManagerClubPlayerClubPlayerClub
AugustGermany Jürgen KloppLiverpoolFinland Teemu PukkiNorwich CityEngland Harvey BarnesLeicester City
SeptemberGabon Pierre-Emerick AubameyangArsenalMali Moussa DjenepoSouthampton
OctoberEngland Frank LampardChelseaEngland Jamie VardyLeicester CityEngland Matty LongstaffNewcastle United
NovemberGermany Jürgen KloppLiverpoolSenegal Sadio ManéLiverpoolBelgium Kevin De BruyneManchester City
DecemberEngland Trent Alexander-ArnoldSouth Korea Son Heung-minTottenham Hotspur
JanuaryArgentina Sergio AgüeroManchester CityIran Alireza JahanbakhshBrighton & Hove Albion
FebruaryEngland Sean DycheBurnleyPortugal Bruno FernandesManchester UnitedCzech Republic Matěj VydraBurnley
JunePortugal Nuno Espírito SantoWolverhampton WanderersPortugal Bruno FernandesManchester United
JulyAustria Ralph HasenhüttlSouthamptonEngland Michail AntonioWest Ham UnitedBelgium Kevin De BruyneManchester City

Annual awards

AwardWinnerClub
Premier League Manager of the SeasonGermany Jürgen KloppLiverpool
Premier League Player of the SeasonBelgium Kevin De BruyneManchester City
Premier League Young Player of the SeasonEngland Trent Alexander-ArnoldLiverpool
Premier League Goal of the SeasonSouth Korea Son Heung-minTottenham Hotspur
PFA Players' Player of the YearBelgium Kevin De BruyneManchester City
PFA Young Player of the YearEngland Trent Alexander-ArnoldLiverpool
FWA Footballer of the YearEngland Jordan HendersonLiverpool
PFA Fans' Player of the YearSenegal Sadio ManéLiverpool
PFA Team of the Year
GoalkeeperEngland Nick Pope (Burnley)
DefendersEngland Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)Netherlands Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)Turkey Çağlar Söyüncü (Leicester City)Scotland Andy Robertson (Liverpool)
MidfieldersSpain David Silva (Manchester City)England Jordan Henderson (Liverpool)Belgium Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
ForwardsEngland Jamie Vardy (Leicester City)Gabon Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal)Senegal Sadio Mané (Liverpool)

External links

  • at footballsite