The 2021-22 English Premier League campaign stands as one of the most compelling and dramatic seasons in the history of modern English football. From the very first whistle in August 2021 to the heart-stopping drama of matchweek 38 in May 2022, the battle across all echelons of the league kept fans on the edge of their seats. At the summit, Pep Guardiola's Manchester City and Jürgen Klopp's Liverpool engaged in a breathtaking, high-standard chess match for the title, while the fight for the Champions League spots and the desperate struggle to avoid relegation came down to the final minutes of the season.

Whether you are a sports analyst, a fantasy football manager, or a passionate fan settling a debate, looking back at the 2021 2022 epl table offers profound insights into how tactical innovations, key transfers, and mental resilience shape success in the world's most-watched football league. This definitive guide delivers the complete final standings, breaks down the key narrative arcs, and contextualizes this iconic campaign against the seasons that came before and after.

Let us start by examining the final epl 2021 2022 table in its entirety, showing how all twenty clubs fared after 38 grueling matches.

The Final 2021 2022 EPL Table: Complete Standings

Analyzing the final epl table 2021 2022 reveals a league defined by extreme quality at the top and an unforgiving battleground below. Manchester City's narrow one-point triumph over Liverpool captured the global headlines, but the numbers tell a story of incredible tactical mastery, squad depth, and relentless consistency from both clubs.

The Title Race: A Legendary Duel Between City and Liverpool

The battle for the Premier League crown in 2021-22 was not just a title race; it was an artistic display of footballing perfection. Manchester City and Liverpool operated on a plane of consistency that left the rest of the division trailing by nearly twenty points. This was a continuation of the rivalry that had defined English football for several seasons, but the stakes felt higher than ever.

Pep Guardiola's Manchester City entered the season as defending champions, but they had to navigate the campaign without a traditional, elite center-forward after failing to sign Harry Kane in the summer transfer window. Instead, Guardiola doubled down on his signature positional play, deploying a fluid 'false nine' system. Players like Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, Kevin De Bruyne, and İlkay Gündoğan constantly rotated, leaving opposing center-backs with no fixed target to mark. This tactical flexibility made City incredibly difficult to defend against, resulting in 99 goals scored. Kevin De Bruyne was the heartbeat of the team, delivering masterclasses in midfield control and contributing 15 league goals.

On the other side of the red-and-blue divide, Jürgen Klopp's Liverpool were chasing an unprecedented quadruple. Having already secured the League Cup and the FA Cup, and with a Champions League final on the horizon, the Premier League was the crucial domestic piece they craved. Propelled by the electric form of Mohamed Salah—who was unstoppable in the first half of the season—and reinforced by the sensational January acquisition of Luis Díaz from Porto, Liverpool launched a relentless chase. In January, City held a seemingly insurmountable 14-point lead (though Liverpool had games in hand). Yet, Liverpool mounted a spectacular 19-match unbeaten run, dropping points in only a handful of draws, to force a final-day showdown.

The climax on May 22, 2022, will go down in folklore. Manchester City hosted Aston Villa—managed by Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard—at the Etihad Stadium, while Liverpool hosted Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield. For over an hour, the impossible seemed to be happening. Aston Villa took a shocking 2-0 lead through Matty Cash and former Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho. Anfield erupted in hope, though Liverpool themselves were struggling to break down Wolves, sitting at 1-1.

Then came one of the most explosive comebacks in Premier League history. In a mesmerizing six-minute window between the 76th and 81st minutes, Manchester City substitute İlkay Gündoğan scored twice, sandwiching a brilliant low strike from Rodri, to turn a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 lead. Although Liverpool eventually won their match 3-1, City's victory secured their sixth Premier League title. The final 2022 epl table cemented City at the top with 93 points, leaving a devastated but proud Liverpool just one point behind on 92 points.

The Battle for Europe: Chelsea's Consolidation and the North London Derby

While the top two operated in a league of their own, the race for the remaining UEFA Champions League qualification spots was a captivating drama. Chelsea ultimately claimed third place on the epl table 2021 to 2022 with 74 points, but their season was heavily disrupted by off-field turbulence. Following the UK government's sanctions on owner Roman Abramovich in March 2022, the club was forced to operate under strict licenses, clouding their future. Under Thomas Tuchel's guidance, however, the squad showed immense professionalism to consolidate their top-four status, anchored by the defensive brilliance of Antonio Rüdiger and Thiago Silva.

The real drama unfolded in the pursuit of fourth place, where north London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur engaged in a high-stakes game of musical chairs.

Mikel Arteta's Arsenal had endured a disastrous start to the season, losing their opening three matches without scoring a single goal, which had left them at the bottom of the epl table 2021 in late August. However, Arteta's commitment to youth began to bear fruit. A core of young talents, including Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, Emile Smith Rowe, and Aaron Ramsdale, galvanized the team. By spring, the Gunners were in pole position to secure Champions League football for the first time in five years.

But Tottenham Hotspur, who had endured their own early-season crisis under Nuno Espírito Santo, made a season-defining decision by appointing Antonio Conte in November. Conte instilled his trademark tactical discipline and defensive rigidity, unleashing the devastating attacking partnership of Harry Kane and Son Heung-min. Son, in particular, embarked on an extraordinary goalscoring run.

The turning point occurred in matchweek 36 during a ferocious North London Derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Spurs dismantled a nervous Arsenal side 3-0. This was followed by a collapse from Arsenal, who lost 2-0 to Newcastle United in their next fixture. Tottenham seized the opportunity, capping off their surge on the final day with a 5-0 victory over Norwich City. This allowed Spurs to finish fourth in the epl 2021 to 2022 table with 71 points, leaving Arsenal devastated in fifth place with 69 points, consigned to the UEFA Europa League.

Mid-Table Realities: Manchester United's Fall and Newcastle's Transformation

The mid-table of the 2021 to 2022 epl table was filled with starkly contrasting stories of underachievement, overperformance, and dramatic systemic shifts.

The most prominent story of underachievement belonged to Manchester United. After finishing second in the epl table 2020 (the 2020-21 season) and making high-profile summer signings in Cristiano Ronaldo, Raphaël Varane, and Jadon Sancho, expectations of a title challenge were sky-high. However, the team lacked tactical cohesion and defensive structure. A humiliating 5-0 home defeat to Liverpool and a 4-1 thrashing by Watford led to the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjær in November.

The appointment of Ralf Rangnick as interim manager did little to stem the tide. United's defensive vulnerabilities were repeatedly exposed, and they finished the campaign in 6th place with 58 points—their lowest-ever points tally in the Premier League era. Only the individual goalscoring prowess of Cristiano Ronaldo, who netted 18 league goals, prevented a slide further down the table.

In contrast, West Ham United continued to fly high under David Moyes. Balancing a deep run in the UEFA Europa League with their domestic duties, the Hammers finished 7th with 56 points, qualifying for the UEFA Europa Conference League. Midfielder Declan Rice and forward Jarrod Bowen emerged as elite Premier League performers, demonstrating West Ham's tactical organization and physical resilience.

Further down, the current epl table 2022 in January looked incredibly bleak for Newcastle United. The Magpies had failed to win any of their first 14 league games and were heavily tipped for relegation. However, a historic Saudi-led takeover in October paved the way for the appointment of Eddie Howe and a highly successful January transfer window. The arrivals of Bruno Guimarães, Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn, and Chris Wood injected leadership and quality. Howe engineered a historic turnaround, guiding Newcastle on a superb run in the second half of the season to finish in a comfortable 11th place with 49 points.

Special praise must also be reserved for newly promoted Brentford. Under Thomas Frank, the Bees played with courage, high pressing, and tactical flexibility. Their iconic 2-0 victory over Arsenal on the opening night set the tone. In January, the club signed Christian Eriksen on a short-term contract following his cardiac arrest at Euro 2020. Eriksen's creative genius transformed Brentford's midfield, guiding them to an impressive 13th-place finish with 46 points.

The Relegation Scrap: Survival on the Final Day

At the bottom of the 2021 2022 epl table, the fight for survival was an exhausting battle of attrition.

Norwich City and Watford were cut adrift relatively early. Norwich struggled to cope with the defensive physical demands of the top flight, finishing bottom of the table with 22 points and a goal difference of -61. Watford, despite cycling through multiple managers (including Xisco Muñoz, Claudio Ranieri, and Roy Hodgson), could not find defensive stability, finishing 19th with 23 points.

This left one final relegation spot, which sparked a dramatic three-way battle between Everton, Leeds United, and Burnley.

Everton, a historic giant of English football, endured a catastrophic season. The highly controversial appointment of former Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez alienated fans and resulted in terrible form. Benítez was sacked in January and replaced by Frank Lampard. Under Lampard, Everton's form remained volatile, but they rallied in the final weeks. Their safety was secured in one of the most emotional matches in Goodison Park history, coming from 2-0 down to defeat Crystal Palace 3-2 in their penultimate game, sparked by a dramatic Dominic Calvert-Lewin winner.

Thus, the final relegation spot came down to Leeds United and Burnley on the final day of the season. Leeds had parted ways with their iconic manager Marcelo Bielsa in February after a series of heavy defeats, appointing American coach Jesse Marsch to steady the ship. Burnley had also made the shocking decision to sack Sean Dyche—who had spent nearly a decade at Turf Moor—replacing him with under-23 coach Mike Jackson on an interim basis.

Going into matchweek 38, Burnley sat above Leeds on goal difference. However, Burnley faltered under the pressure, losing 2-1 to Newcastle United at Turf Moor. Meanwhile, Leeds United displayed immense grit away at Brentford. A 94th-minute goal from Jack Harrison sealed a dramatic 2-1 victory, sparking wild celebrations. Leeds finished 17th with 38 points, while Burnley were relegated to the Championship with 35 points, ending their six-year stay in the top flight.

Historical Context: From 2020-21 to 2022-23

To truly appreciate the quality and competitive landscape of the epl table 2021 2022, we must examine it as a bridge between two distinct eras. Comparing this table to the seasons immediately preceding and succeeding it reveals the rapid evolution of tactical styles and club fortunes.

The Contrast with the Pandemic Era (The 2020-21 Season)

The 2020 epl table (the 2020-21 season) was highly unusual, played almost entirely behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In that environment, home-field advantage was largely neutralized, and several traditional powerhouses struggled with consistency. Manchester City won the title comfortably with 86 points, while Manchester United finished second with 74 points, and Liverpool scraped into third with 69 points after a severe injury crisis.

When looking at the transition from the epl table 2020 to the 2021-22 table, the most striking difference was the return of packed stadiums. The return of fans restored the fierce home atmospheres, which played a crucial role in the point tallies of the top teams. Manchester City and Liverpool pushed each other to astronomical heights, raising the standard required to win the title from 86 points to 93 points. Meanwhile, clubs like Arsenal and Tottenham leveraged intense home support to vastly improve their standings.

The Prelude to a New Era (The 2022-23 Season)

The transition from the 2021-22 campaign to the epl table 2022 2023 witnessed a massive reshuffling of the Premier League hierarchy.

In the summer of 2022, Manchester City signed Erling Haaland, a move that fundamentally altered their tactical setup from a strikerless fluid system to a direct, focal-point attack. While City won the title again, the team chasing them was not Liverpool, but Mikel Arteta's Arsenal. Having learned from their heartbreak in the 2021 2022 epl table, Arsenal mounted a sensational title charge, leading the league for most of the season before finishing second in the epl table 2022 to 2023 with 84 points.

Conversely, Liverpool suffered a massive physical and mental drop-off after their quadruple attempt, finishing 5th in 2022-23 and missing out on Champions League football.

The 2022 2023 epl table also saw Newcastle United complete their transformation, climbing from 11th to 4th to secure a historic Champions League spot. The most dramatic collapses, however, belonged to Leicester City and Chelsea. Leicester, who finished a comfortable 8th in 2021-22, suffered a shocking relegation in 2022-23. Chelsea, despite spending over £600 million on transfers, plummeted from 3rd in the current epl table 2022 standings to an abysmal 12th place in 2022-23, proving that squad harmony and tactical continuity are far more valuable than raw financial expenditure.

Individual Accolades: The Standout Performers of 2021-22

The quality of a Premier League season is often defined by its individual stars, and the 2021-22 season was packed with world-class performances.

• The Premier League Golden Boot: Shared between Liverpool's Mohamed Salah and Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min, who both scored 23 goals. Son's achievement was particularly historic, as he became the first Asian player to win the award, scoring all 23 of his goals from open play (zero penalties).
• The Playmaker of the Season: Awarded to Mohamed Salah, who registered 13 assists in addition to his 23 goals, cementing his status as the league's most devastating attacker.
• The Golden Glove: Shared by Manchester City's Ederson and Liverpool's Alisson, who both kept an outstanding 20 clean sheets, reflecting the defensive organization of the top two teams.
• Player of the Season: Awarded to Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne, whose decisive goals and creative genius drove City across the finish line.
• Young Player of the Season: Won by Manchester City's Phil Foden for the second consecutive year, illustrating his vital role in Guardiola's attacking system.
• Manager of the Season: Awarded to Liverpool's Jürgen Klopp for his extraordinary work in pushing Manchester City to the absolute limit while managing a heavy fixture congestion across four competitions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who won the Premier League in the 2021-22 season?

Manchester City won the 2021-22 Premier League title, securing 93 points. They clinched the championship on the final day of the season by coming from 2-0 down to defeat Aston Villa 3-2, edging out Liverpool by a single point.

Which teams were relegated from the Premier League in 2022?

Burnley (35 points), Watford (23 points), and Norwich City (22 points) were the three teams relegated to the EFL Championship at the conclusion of the 2021-22 season.

Who shared the Golden Boot in the 2021-22 season?

The Premier League Golden Boot was shared between Liverpool's Mohamed Salah and Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min, with both players scoring 23 league goals. Remarkably, none of Son's 23 goals came from penalty kicks.

What was Manchester United's lowest point tally in Premier League history?

During the 2021-22 season, Manchester United finished in 6th place with 58 points. This was their lowest-ever point tally in a single Premier League campaign since the league's inception in 1992, until it was eclipsed by their 57-point finish in the 2023-24 season.

How did the 2021-22 season compare to the 2022-23 season?

The 2021-22 season was dominated by the tight City-Liverpool title race and a fourth-place battle won by Tottenham. In the 2022-23 season, Arsenal replaced Liverpool as City's primary title challengers, Newcastle United surged into the top four, and Leicester City suffered a shocking relegation alongside Leeds and Southampton.

Conclusion

The 2021 2022 epl table is a permanent record of a season that represented the pinnacle of modern football. It showcased a level of tactical sophistication, athletic endurance, and psychological drama that is rarely seen in professional sports. From Manchester City's six-minute comeback on the final day to secure the title, to Leeds United's dramatic final-day escape at the expense of Burnley, the 2021-22 campaign provided football fans with memories that will last a lifetime. As the Premier League continues to evolve with new tactical trends, astronomical transfer budgets, and rising contenders, looking back at the 2021-22 standings serves as a valuable benchmark for what a truly world-class, elite footballing campaign looks like.