The Premier League, England’s top-tier football competition, has been a stage for intense battles, historic triumphs, and unforgettable moments over the past decade. From 2015 to 2025, the league has seen a mix of dominant dynasties, improbable underdog stories, and managerial brilliance, with only four clubs—Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Leicester City—claiming the coveted title. This article delves into the last ten years of Premier League winners, exploring the key moments, managers, players, and factors that shaped each championship season.
The Leicester City miracle: 2015–16
The 2015–16 Premier League season remains one of the most extraordinary in football history. Leicester City, managed by Claudio Ranieri, defied astronomical 5000-1 odds to win their first-ever top-flight title. Having narrowly escaped relegation the previous season, the Foxes were tipped to struggle again, but their remarkable campaign rewrote the narrative of what was possible in modern football.
Led by unheralded stars like Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez, and N’Golo Kanté, Leicester combined relentless work rate, clinical counter-attacking, and a cohesive team spirit to finish 10 points clear of second-placed Arsenal, amassing 81 points. Vardy’s 24 goals and Mahrez’s flair earned them individual accolades, while Kanté’s tireless midfield presence laid the foundation for a team that lost just three matches all season.
Chelsea’s resurgence: 2016–17
Following Leicester’s shock victory, the 2016–17 season saw Chelsea reclaim the Premier League crown under Antonio Conte. After a disappointing 10th-place finish the previous year, Conte’s arrival brought a tactical revolution, most notably his implementation of a 3-4-3 formation that unlocked the team’s potential. Eden Hazard and Diego Costa led the attack, with the former’s dribbling and the latter’s 20 goals proving decisive.
N’Golo Kanté, now a Chelsea player after leaving Leicester, continued his metronomic performances in midfield, earning him back-to-back Premier League titles with different clubs—a rare feat. Chelsea’s 93 points and seven-point margin over second-placed Tottenham Hotspur showcased their consistency, with only five losses throughout the campaign. Conte’s intense management style and tactical acumen restored Chelsea to the pinnacle, marking their fifth Premier League title since 2004–05.
Manchester City’s era of dominance begins: 2017–18
The 2017–18 season marked the start of Manchester City’s stranglehold on the Premier League, as Pep Guardiola’s side redefined excellence with a record-breaking campaign. Amassing an unprecedented 100 points—the first team to reach this milestone in a single Premier League season—City also set records for most goals scored (106) and a 19-point winning margin over second-placed Manchester United.
Guardiola’s possession-based philosophy, combined with the attacking prowess of Sergio Agüero, Kevin De Bruyne, and Raheem Sterling, overwhelmed opponents. City’s relentless consistency, losing just twice, showcased their tactical superiority and financial muscle, bolstered by Sheikh Mansour’s ownership.
City’s continued reign: 2018–19
Manchester City’s 2018–19 season was another masterclass, as they defended their title with 98 points, edging out Liverpool by a single point in one of the closest title races in Premier League history. Liverpool, under Jürgen Klopp, pushed City to the brink, losing just once and finishing with 97 points—a total that would have won the league in most seasons.
However, City’s depth and resilience, exemplified by Vincent Kompany’s stunning long-range goal against Leicester, proved decisive. Agüero led the scoring with 21 goals, while De Bruyne and David Silva orchestrated play from midfield. This season also saw City complete a domestic treble, winning the Premier League, FA Cup, and EFL Cup, further cementing their status as England’s preeminent force.
Liverpool’s long-awaited triumph: 2019–20
The 2019–20 season belonged to Liverpool, who ended a 30-year wait for a top-flight title, securing their first Premier League crown and their 19th overall English championship. Jürgen Klopp’s high-pressing, dynamic system reached its zenith, with Liverpool amassing 99 points and losing only three matches. The trio of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané, and Roberto Firmino powered the attack, while Virgil van Dijk’s commanding presence anchored the defense.
Liverpool’s 18-point margin over Manchester City was staggering, though the season was marred by the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw matches played behind closed doors. Despite the lack of fans, Liverpool’s dominance was undeniable, with their intensity and consistency overwhelming opponents.
City strike back: 2020–21
Manchester City bounced back in 2020–21, reclaiming the title with 86 points under Guardiola’s guidance. After a slow start, City embarked on a 15-match winning streak, driven by a versatile squad that adapted to injuries and absences. Rúben Dias, signed from Benfica, brought stability to the defense, earning him the Premier League Player of the Season award, while İlkay Gündoğan emerged as an unlikely top scorer with 13 goals.
City’s ability to win without a traditional striker, following Agüero’s injury-plagued season, showcased Guardiola’s tactical flexibility. They finished 12 points ahead of Manchester United, reasserting their dominance and setting the stage for further success.
A tight race: 2021–22
The 2021–22 season saw another thrilling title race between Manchester City and Liverpool, with City prevailing by a single point, finishing with 93 points to Liverpool’s 92. Both teams pushed each other to extraordinary heights, with City’s late-season heroics, including a dramatic comeback against Aston Villa on the final day, securing the title.
Erling Haaland’s arrival was still a year away, but City’s attack was powered by De Bruyne’s playmaking and contributions from Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez. Liverpool, meanwhile, were relentless, with Salah and Mané continuing to shine.
City’s treble and three-peat: 2022–23
Manchester City’s 2022–23 season was historic, as they won their third consecutive title and completed a continental treble, adding the FA Cup and UEFA Champions League to their Premier League crown. Erling Haaland’s arrival from Borussia Dortmund supercharged City’s attack, with the Norwegian striker shattering records by scoring 36 goals in the league.
City finished with 89 points, five ahead of Arsenal, who led the table for much of the season but faltered late. Guardiola’s tactical evolution, blending Haaland’s physicality with City’s intricate passing game, proved unstoppable. This season also sparked debates about City’s financial practices, with 115 alleged breaches of Financial Fair Play rules casting a shadow over their success, though no definitive rulings has been made.
Four in a row: 2023–24
Manchester City made history in 2023–24 by becoming the first team to win four consecutive Premier League titles, finishing with 91 points. Despite challenges, including injuries and the ongoing Financial Fair Play investigation, City’s depth and quality shone through. Haaland again led the scoring, while Rodri’s consistency in midfield and Phil Foden’s emergence as a world-class talent were crucial.
Arsenal, under Mikel Arteta, pushed City close with 89 points, but City’s experience in high-stakes moments proved decisive. This season further entrenched City’s dominance, with their eight titles in the Premier League era second only to Manchester United’s 13.
Liverpool’s redemption: 2024–25
The 2024–25 season saw Liverpool reclaim the Premier League title, their second in the competition’s history and their 20th top-flight championship, tying Manchester United’s overall record. Under new manager Arne Slot, who succeeded Jürgen Klopp, Liverpool stormed to the title with a 5-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, clinching it with four matches to spare.
Mohamed Salah remained the talisman, supported by a rejuvenated squad including Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dominik Szoboszlai. Liverpool’s 18-point lead over Arsenal by late April underscored their dominance, with their high-pressing style and attacking fluidity carrying over from Klopp’s era. This title, won in front of fans unlike their 2019–20 triumph, was a fitting tribute to Liverpool’s resurgence as a footballing powerhouse.
Trends and controversies
Over the past decade, Manchester City’s six titles (2017–18, 2018–19, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24) have defined the Premier League, with their financial resources and Guardiola’s genius creating a formidable force. Liverpool’s two titles (2019–20, 2024–25), Chelsea’s 2016–17 win, and Leicester’s 2015–16 miracle complete the list, highlighting a league where only a select few have broken through. Manchester United, despite their record 13 Premier League titles, have not won since 2012–13, underscoring the shift in power dynamics.
The decade has also raised questions about competitive balance. City’s dominance, fueled by significant investment, has led to criticism of the financial gap between elite clubs and others, with their 115 alleged Financial Fair Play breaches still under scrutiny. Meanwhile, the emergence of the “Big Six” (Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham) has solidified a hierarchy, though Leicester’s triumph proved outliers are possible.