As the dust settles on the 2023-24 Premier League campaign we’ve looked back on the season’s events.
The objective at the start of each campaign is to improve on the previous one but which sides were most successful in doing so?
We’ve looked at the five teams with the greatest improvement in points won between 2022-23 and 2023-24.
5. Bournemouth: +9
There were some suggesting Bournemouth might have made a mistake in appointing Andoni Iraola in the early weeks of the season. The Spaniard had been brought in to replace Gary O’Neil, despite the latter leading the Cherries to safety last season, and endured a nightmare start as Bournemouth opened the campaign without a win in nine games.
Iraola’s side settled, however, and as Bournemouth got to grips with his methods the Cherries thrived. A run of seven wins from nine games began in October and kickstarted the club’s campaign.
The news you all wanted to see ????
Andoni Iraola signs a contract extension with #afcb ✍️???? pic.twitter.com/6LeuDN2vlh
— AFC Bournemouth ???? (@afcbournemouth) May 13, 2024
Bournemouth ended the season with their highest-ever points total in the Premier League, with 48 won from 38 games, and finished 12th in the table – a three-position improvement from 2022-23. Iraola has since been rewarded with a contract extension.
=3. West Ham: +12
West Ham bounced back from a disappointing domestic season in 2022-23 to secure a top-half finish for the third time in four seasons.
The Hammers won 12 more points in the Premier League than last season, though it was not enough to secure European football for the fourth straight season. The club’s board have since decided on change with Julen Lopetegui set to replace David Moyes as manager at the London Stadium.
Lopetegui has his work cut out to overhaul an ageing squad and fix a leaky defence. Only the relegated teams conceded more goals than West Ham in 2023-24.
=3. Everton: +12 (excludes points deduction)
Sean Dyche is unlikely to be in the running for the Manager of the Season awards but he should at least be given a nod of appreciation. There’s been turbulence at the Toffees in recent campaigns with late escapes required to ensure Everton’s unbroken 69-year run as a top-flight team has continued.
This season, despite limitations in the transfer market and eight points deducted for financial breaches, Dyche has kept Everton clear of trouble. The fourth-best defensive record in the Premier League helped Everton to a 15th-placed finish, as Dyche’s side concluded the campaign 14 points clear of the bottom three. Without their sanctions, Everton would have finished 12th.
“We have found a way in a very tough season; very challenging. Even when it’s been stretched, we’ve kept it together. The fans deserve credit for that, as well.”
Sean Dyche’s reaction: pic.twitter.com/FZLxJruPbW
— Everton (@Everton) May 11, 2024
2. Liverpool: +15
Liverpool bounced back from a disappointing 2022-23 season that saw the Reds miss out on Champions League qualification for the first time in a full season under Jurgen Klopp.
The summer transfer window saw a rebuild in midfield with the ageing Jordan Henderson, James Milner and Fabinho moved on and Liverpool 2.0, as coined by Klopp, exceeded expectations to compete for the title.
Jurgen Klopp. Not just a manager, he was more than that for @LFC ❤️ pic.twitter.com/oL7wBEVCLS
— Premier League India (@PLforIndia) May 22, 2024
Klopp’s side stuttered in the run-in to finish the season third, but a 15-point improvement from last season has confirmed Champions League football returns to Anfield next season.
1. Chelsea: +19
If there wasn’t a massive improvement at Chelsea this season, something would have been very wrong.
Last season saw Chelsea slump to 12th in the Premier League table, their lowest league finish since 1993-94. The Blues scored just 38 league goals, the second-lowest figure in the club’s history behind a 1923-24 season (21) that saw them relegated.
Mauricio Pochettino was brought in as manager and after a tough start began to blend Chelsea’s expensively assembled, if inexperienced, squad. Chelsea lost just one of their last 15 league games to secure a top-six finish and European football, an overall improvement of 19 points.
“He deserved another year at least” ????
Chelsea fans react to Mauricio Pochettino’s departure from the club ???? pic.twitter.com/idtmGCLHc9
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 22, 2024
However, a surprise decision has been made for Pochettino to leave Stamford Bridge.
Read – Our Premier League end-of-season awards for 2023/24
See more – Our Premier League Team of the Season for 2023/24
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