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Who Are the Unofficial Premier League Champions?

Birmingham and Manchester United have won one unofficial Premier League title apiece, while Newcastle have been crowned unofficial champions twice. Photograph: Getty Images, PA, and Rex/Shutterstock
Birmingham and Manchester United have won one unofficial Premier League title apiece, while Newcastle have been crowned unofficial champions twice. Photograph: Getty Images, PA, and Rex/Shutterstock
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Who Are the Unofficial Premier League Champions?

Birmingham and Manchester United have won one unofficial Premier League title apiece, while Newcastle have been crowned unofficial champions twice. Photograph: Getty Images, PA, and Rex/Shutterstock
Birmingham and Manchester United have won one unofficial Premier League title apiece, while Newcastle have been crowned unofficial champions twice. Photograph: Getty Images, PA, and Rex/Shutterstock

“If the founders of the Premier League had decided the title would be passed on like it is in boxing (so the first team to beat Leeds United in the 1992-93 season would have won their title, and the first team to beat that team would have taken it from them and so on), who would be the current champions?” asks Oliver Forrest.

It’s a good time to ask a question like this, as the Knowledge has little better to do during lockdown than trawl through hundreds and thousands of Premier League results going back to 1992. Before we come to the current incumbents, let’s look at those who finished each season as unofficial Premier League champions.

Chelsea have won the most titles with three and Liverpool have picked up two, when in reality they have only won the one they waltzed to last year. Manchester United have just one solitary unofficial title, as opposed to 13 in the real world. Their unofficial one came in 2004-05, a season when they didn’t win the real one.

The strangest finding is that Arsenal’s Invincibles did not win the unofficial title in 2003-04. They only faced the reigning unofficial champions twice during that season – Bolton in December and Newcastle in April – and drew both matches.

Sheffield Wednesday (in 1999-2000) and Newcastle (2015-16) were relegated from the real Premier League while also winning the unofficial one, which meant a couple of detours via the Championship, with Burton Albion, who only became a Football League club in 2009, perhaps being the smallest team to be wear the unofficial crown when they beat Brighton on 11 February 2017. We had to follow the 2016-17 Championship season into the play-offs, where Huddersfield brought the title back into the Premier League when they beat Reading on penalties.

Southampton are still the current champions despite their loss to Crystal Palace on the opening day. Palace lost the title to Everton on 26 September but the Toffees’ defeat at St Mary’s on 25 October means Ralph Hasenhüttl’s side have regained their crown and take it to Wolves this weekend.

First and worst

“Lee Dixon acknowledged on TV commentary that his professional career included coming in first (with Arsenal) and 92nd (with Chester City) in the pyramid,” notes Mike Wilner. “Are there other players who finished first and worst in England? How about other nations?”

It took Dixon only five years to go from bottom (1983-84) to top (1988-89). Another Arsenal player managed the same feat, though he did it the other way round and at a more leisurely pace. “The Scottish midfielder Eddie Kelly began his career at Arsenal (1969-76) and won the Double in 1971,” writes Robin Clarke. “His playing days ended at Torquay United (1984-86) with another double: they finished bottom of Division Four in 1985 and 1986.”

There are a couple of not dissimilar stories that are too good to ignore. The first, Leighton James, was top and bottom of the Football League pyramid during the season rather than at the end of it. His USP is that he did it with the same club.

“On 28 August 1973, Leighton James strode off the pitch after Burnley had beaten Chelsea to find the Clarets joint-top of the First Division, with two wins out of two,” explains Chris Rawson. “On 9 May 1987, he jogged on to Turf Moor in the same colours, with Burnley 92nd in the Football League and about to face Orient in the last game of the season. Burnley won 2-1 and avoided the ignominy of being the first club to be automatically relegated from the Football League.”

The other is a deluxe journeyman. “While he never won the Premier League, Edgar Davids won the Dutch, Italian and Spanish leagues as well as the Champions League and Uefa Cup,” writes Graham.

“He was later relegated from the Football League with Barnet in 2013.”

Barnet didn’t finish bottom of the Football League that season – they were 91st, with two teams relegated – but it still registers pretty high on the hero-to-zero-ometer.

The Guardian Sport

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China Says Takes Mbappe Apology 'Seriously'

An image of French footballer Kylian Mbappe is displayed at a soccer field in Beijing, China, 28 October 2026. EPA/WU HAO
An image of French footballer Kylian Mbappe is displayed at a soccer field in Beijing, China, 28 October 2026. EPA/WU HAO
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China Says Takes Mbappe Apology 'Seriously'

An image of French footballer Kylian Mbappe is displayed at a soccer field in Beijing, China, 28 October 2026. EPA/WU HAO
An image of French footballer Kylian Mbappe is displayed at a soccer field in Beijing, China, 28 October 2026. EPA/WU HAO

China said Wednesday it took "seriously" an apology from football star Kylian Mbappe over comments making fun of former leader Mao Zedong.

"We take seriously the apology the individual concerned has made," foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a regular briefing.

Mbappe apologized on Tuesday after the Real Madrid star was dropped by major Chinese brands for apparently joking about Mao in a video that has gone viral.

There were also signs of broader repercussions, with state-run The Paper reporting that public television was suspending broadcasts of matches from Spain's La Liga.

The offending video shows Mbappe saying that the funniest internet meme he had seen involving him was of his face photo-shopped onto that of "some guy -- I think he's a Chinese dictator.”

This was an apparent reference to a meme of Mbappe superimposed on an image of Mao.

The authenticity of the video could not immediately be verified by AFP Fact Check.

Sports

Bayern ‘Risk’ Reaps Huge Reward for Ballon d’Or Winner Kane

England's football player Harry Kane holds the player of the year trophy during the Ballon d'Or ceremony at the London Palladium Theatre in London, England, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026 . (AP)
England's football player Harry Kane holds the player of the year trophy during the Ballon d'Or ceremony at the London Palladium Theatre in London, England, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026 . (AP)
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Bayern ‘Risk’ Reaps Huge Reward for Ballon d’Or Winner Kane

England's football player Harry Kane holds the player of the year trophy during the Ballon d'Or ceremony at the London Palladium Theatre in London, England, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026 . (AP)
England's football player Harry Kane holds the player of the year trophy during the Ballon d'Or ceremony at the London Palladium Theatre in London, England, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026 . (AP)

The crowning moment of Harry Kane's career came back in his native city of London, but winning the Ballon d'Or would not have been possible without taking the "risk" of moving to German giants Bayern Munich.

A product of the Tottenham academy, Kane blossomed into the club's all-time record goalscorer, with 280 goals by the time he departed in 2023.

Yet even Kane's firepower could not end Spurs' long wait for silverware as he headed to Bavaria seeking trophies to add to a host of goalscoring records.

The England captain's decision to leave his homeland, with Alan Shearer's record for most Premier League goals in sight, was questioned at the time.

And some in Germany doubted the wisdom of paying a reported initial fee of 100 million euros ($112 million) for a 30-year-old.

But the move has proved a spectacular success for both Kane and Bayern.

"Making the move to Bayern Munich was a big step in my career. Some people saw it as a risk, but for me it was always about improving," Kane told AFP at the glitzy London gala on Monday.

"Being around the teammates I am, the team, the club, has definitely pushed me on to another level."

Kane has plundered goals at an astonishing rate since moving to Germany, without sacrificing his ability to drop deep and also act as a playmaker.

In last week's 2-2 draw against Arsenal, he scored for a 10th consecutive Champions League game and also provided one of the assists of the season for Alphonso Davies.

Overall, Kane has struck 156 times in 159 games for Bayern, picking up two Bundesliga titles and last season's German Cup in the process.

That trophy haul is still scant reward for an outstanding career built on hard work and consistency.

"Work hard in silence. Let success be your noise," Kane posted on social media late on Monday.

But the move to Bayern has given Kane the platform to be considered among the world's best.

"There's no way Harry Kane could have won the Ballon d'Or if he was playing for Tottenham," said former England defender turned pundit Jamie Carragher.

Bayern's domination -- they have won 13 of the past 14 titles -- means the Bundesliga is often demeaned outside of Germany.

But by playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world, Kane is guaranteed to play Champions League football every season, and Bayern often go deep into the competition.

- 'Lot to achieve' -

The move has also paid dividends for England.

Tottenham's reliance on their talisman meant Kane was forced to push himself to the limit during the exhausting English football schedule, with two domestic cup competitions and no winter break.

By contrast, the Bundesliga takes a three-week break over the festive period and there are only 18 teams, resulting in four fewer league games than in the Premier League.

The added bonus for Kane is that Bayern often rest their star names later in the season to keep them fresh for the Champions League.

Kane has captained England in the past five major tournaments, which have ended in defeats in two finals, two semi-finals and a quarter-final.

At 33 he still believes he has unfinished business at international level and the extra rest afforded by the Bundesliga could prolong his career.

"To be winning awards like this just shows why I made the move in the first place," said Kane.

"There's always ambition, there's always dreams for new achievements, new things. I still have a lot to achieve in this game.

"The Champions League at club level and to win a major trophy with England is the number one priority for sure. There are so many great things I want to achieve."

Bayern have also been big winners from their investment in Kane.

The German club are often overshadowed by Barcelona and Real Madrid in the battle for individual honors but Kane has brought the Ballon d'Or back to Munich for the first time since Karl-Heinz Rummenigge won the award in 1981.

"The club and Harry Kane have got together, grown together and achieved the highest aims together. We are proud that this all-round outstanding sportsman and person is part of our FC Bayern family," said Bayern president Herbert Hainer.

Sports

‘A Very Sad Day’: Arteta Despair as Arsenal Embarrassed by Fleetwood

Carabao Cup - Fourth Round - Fleetwood Town v Arsenal - Highbury Stadium, Fleetwood, Britain - October 27, 2026 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta during an interview after the match. (Reuters)
Carabao Cup - Fourth Round - Fleetwood Town v Arsenal - Highbury Stadium, Fleetwood, Britain - October 27, 2026 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta during an interview after the match. (Reuters)
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‘A Very Sad Day’: Arteta Despair as Arsenal Embarrassed by Fleetwood

Carabao Cup - Fourth Round - Fleetwood Town v Arsenal - Highbury Stadium, Fleetwood, Britain - October 27, 2026 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta during an interview after the match. (Reuters)
Carabao Cup - Fourth Round - Fleetwood Town v Arsenal - Highbury Stadium, Fleetwood, Britain - October 27, 2026 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta during an interview after the match. (Reuters)

Mikel Arteta said Arsenal's stunning League Cup defeat by fourth-tier Fleetwood was "a very sad day" as the Premier League champions suffered one of the most embarrassing results in their history.

Arteta's side crashed out 5-3 on penalties in an incredible fourth round upset after the tie finished 1-1 in normal time.

Arsenal's Bruno Guimaraes had his penalty saved by Jay Lynch in the shoot-out and Conor Haughey scored Fleetwood's winner.

Aaron Loupalo-Bi's first-half goal had put Fleetwood ahead before Viktor Gyokeres equalized after the interval.

Arsenal's 16-year-old rising star Max Dowman was sent off for violent conduct in the closing stages.

Arteta paid the price for prioritizing Sunday's Premier League trip to Liverpool as his decision to make nine changes backfired spectacularly.

The Gunners boss conceded Arsenal could have no complaints, admitting it was a painful moment in his reign.

"First of all, congratulations to Fleetwood for going through the next round. The manner that they have done it, and for us a very sad day," Arteta said.

"There is nothing to criticize the players for their attitude, their application.

"The determination, you could see that was there from the start, even with 10 men. But we conceded a really poor goal to start with that gave them some momentum.

"Obviously we have so much of the ball, so many chances, so many shots, and if you want the margins to be bigger than going to the penalties, you need to capitalize on that. And we didn't.

"It's football, that's the beauty of this competition. It's a very sad day."

Arsenal had moved level on points with Premier League leaders Manchester City after a 2-0 victory over Everton on Saturday.

But instead of extending their run of 11 wins from their 13 previous games, Arteta's team returned to north London red-faced after a loss that ranks among the darkest days in the club's glittering history.

"Zero problem attitude-wise. Otherwise, I would be here absolutely fuming. I'm sad, I think we are all sad. We have a massive responsibility to carry this badge in the best possible way," Arteta said.

"You don't capitalize, then you cannot go through to the next round. Unfortunately, we are out."

- 'I just can't believe it' -

Although it looked a harsh decision to send off Dowman for aiming a kick towards Harrison Neal, Arteta was unimpressed with the 16-year-old, giving him a stern word as the midfielder trudged off.

"Something that we discussed already before the match," Arteta said when asked what he told Dowman.

"It's difficult to see on the cameras like that, so I prefer to watch it back properly and then I can assess the situation."

Fleetwood made a mockery of the 84 places between the clubs in the English football system with a defiant display that stopped Arsenal establishing any momentum.

Their refusal to be overawed by Arsenal's star-power was a tribute to Fleetwood boss Matt Lawlor, who won the tactical battle with Arteta by sitting deep and attacking on the counter.

"I just can't believe it. The biggest night in the club's history in terms of opposition coming to town and we've managed to beat the champions," Lawlor said.

"We're not stupid enough and not egotistical enough that you think we're going to out-play the best team in the country and the most organized team in the country.

"So we had to ride our luck, we had to deny space, we had to deny options for them. And I think we did that really, really well in terms of the majority of the game."

While Lawlor was composed during the match, his emotions poured out in his tearful celebration as euphoric Fleetwood fans invaded the pitch after the winning penalty.

"I'm just so glad that the lads have the feeling the way they are and took that performance into make that town, the club, everyone proud," he said.