Liverpool’s 2-1 loss to Arsenal on Wednesday meant they could no longer reach 100 points and, therefore, break Manchester City’s Premier League record.
City registered 100 points during the 2017-18 campaign and they would’ve been celebrating after it was confirmed Jurgen Klopp’s side can now only reach a maximum of 99.
Some fans were suggesting this season’s champions were the greatest Premier League side ever but that argument now appears to be weakening.
But it’s a debate that has raged on this season. Who is the best side the Premier League has ever seen?
Is it Arsenal’s Invincibles? Is it Manchester United’s Treble Winners? Is it Manchester City’s Centurions?
Well, we think the only fair way to judge is by using the points total.
Therefore, we’ve ranked the 20 greatest sides in Premier League history based on their points total alone. They don’t even need to have won the title to be included.
If sides have the same number of points, then goal difference is used to settle positions.
Let’s take a look:
20. Tottenham 2016-17 (86 points)
Spurs finished second behind Chelsea during the 2016/17 campaign, recording the second-highest points tally of any non-champions.
19. Manchester City 2013-14 (86 points)
The season in which City got the better of Liverpool following Steven Gerrard’s slip against Chelsea.
18. Chelsea 2009-10 (86 points)
Carlo Ancelotti’s side scored a record 103 goals during the 2009/10 season, registering a goal difference of +71. They also won the FA Cup.
17. Chelsea 2014-15 (87 points)
Jose Mourinho’s second spell at Chelsea wasn’t quite as dominant as his first and this title-winning side certainly couldn’t be described as exciting. But they breezed to the title as they remained top for the entire campaign.
16. Arsenal 2001-02 (87 points)
Robert Pires, Freddie Ljungberg and Thierry Henry were all at their very best as Arsene Wenger’s side beat Liverpool to the title by seven points.
15. Manchester United 2007-08 (87 points)
If Arsenal had Pires, Ljungberg and Henry, United had Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez six years later. United conceded just 22 goals during this season.
14. Manchester United 2012-13 (89 points)
Sir Alex Ferguson’s final season saw United reach an incredible 89 points. They had Robin van Persie’s 26 league goals to thank.
13. Manchester United 2006-07 (89 points)
You know you were the best side when EIGHT of your players were named in the PFA Team of the Year. Edwin van der Sar, Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra, Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs were all included.
12. Manchester United 2011-12 (89 points)
The season United missed out on the title to that AGUERROOOOO goal. +56 goal difference wasn’t quite enough…
11. Manchester City 2011-12 (89 points)
That’s because City had a +64 goal difference. And we’ll never forget those final few minutes against QPR.
10. Manchester United 2008-09 (90 points)
We’re into the 90 point territory and United needed that many to fend off Liverpool’s challenge - who picked up 86.
9. Arsenal 2003-04 (90 points)
The Invincibles drew 12 matches and, therefore, only picked up 90 points. Some say they’re the greatest Premier League side of all time due to the fact they’re the only side not to lose a game.
8. Chelsea 2005-06 (91 points)
In Mourinho’s second season, Chelsea won 20 of their opening 22 matches. After clinching the title, they lost their final two games.
7. Manchester United 1999-00 (91 points)
The season after the treble campaign, United won the title by a massive 18 points. All that with Mark Bosnich playing the majority of games in goal.
6. Liverpool 2019-20 (93 points after 36 games)
The Reds could finish on 99 points and become the second greatest Premier League side ever. But for now, they have to settle with being sixth-best with matches against Chelsea and Newcastle remaining.
5. Chelsea 2016-17 (93 points)
Antonio Conte’s switch to a back-three worked wonders as the Blues cruised to a league title.
4. Chelsea 2004-05 (95 points)
Mourinho’s first season was incredible as the west London side conceded just 15 goals and lost once.
3. Liverpool 2018-19 (97 points)
Imagine picking up 97 points, losing just once and finishing second. Ouch.
2. Manchester City 2018-19 (98 points)
City lost four times but pipped Liverpool to the title on the final day of the season but just one point. Their tally meant they picked up a ridiculous 198 points over the course of two seasons. That’s because…
1. Manchester City 2017-18 (100pts)
The Centurions - the greatest Premier League side of all time.
Will that ever be beaten? Not by Liverpool this season, that’s for sure.
