Exploding on the pitch: The 2023-2024 English Premier League (EPL) scored 1,246 goals (an average of 3.28 goals/match) in 380 matches!
The 2023–24 Premier League marks the 32nd season of the competition and the 125th season of the top-flight English football league. It will begin on 11 August 2023 and end on 19 May 2024. Manchester City, the defending champions, have won their fourth consecutive title, becoming the first men’s team in English football history to achieve this feat.
This season has a third winter break, with all teams having a two-week break from 2 January to 30 January 2024. The summer transfer window runs from 14 June to 1 September 2023, while the winter transfer window runs from 1 January to 1 February 2024.
An all-time record of 1,246 goals, an average of 3.28 goals per game, was scored, surpassing the previous record of 1,222 set in the 1992–93 season. Notably, this average was the highest in top-flight football since 1964–65. In addition, for the first time since 1997–98, all three newly promoted teams—Luton Town, Burnley and Sheffield United—were relegated, amassing a total of 66 points. In contrast, Nottingham Forest broke the record for lowest points total (32), surpassing the previous record of 34 set by West Bromwich Albion in 2004–05.
Key Highlights:
- Everton were handed a 10-point deduction for breaching the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability (PSR) rules, the biggest in Premier League history. The deduction was later reduced to six points on appeal.
- The match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool saw a serious error by the video assistant referee (VAR), which saw a Liverpool goal disallowed due to offside.
- Sheffield United have sacked their manager, Paul Heckingbottom, after a 5–0 defeat to Burnley. Chris Wilder replaces him.
- The match between Bournemouth and Luton Town was abandoned after Luton captain Tom Lockyer suffered a cardiac arrest. Bournemouth staged an incredible comeback in the replay, winning 4–3.
- Nottingham Forest have sacked manager Steve Cooper and appointed Nuno Espirito Santo as his replacement.
- Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp has announced he will leave at the end of the season.
- Crystal Palace head coach Roy Hodgson has resigned due to health reasons, with Oliver Glasner replacing him.
- Sheffield United and Nottingham Forest face points deductions for PSR breaches.
- Sheffield United became the first team to be relegated, followed by Burnley and Luton Town.
- Brighton & Hove Albion have terminated the contract of Roberto De Zerbi.
- Aston Villa have secured a place in the Champions League under Unai Emery, while Manchester United have endured one of their worst seasons.
- The introduction of the new injury time rule was intended to combat time wasting and increase the drama of the game, leading to longer injury time and more yellow and red cards.
Twenty teams participated in the competition, including three promoted teams: Burnley, Sheffield United and Luton Town. These replaced the relegated Leicester City, Leeds United and Southampton. Notably, Luton Town’s promotion marked their first appearance in the Premier League, making them the first team to be promoted from non-League to the top flight in the Premier League era.
EPL Top Scorers 2023/2024
As Monday, May 20, 2024 unfolds, anticipation is high, and hearts are racing, capturing the spirit of this momentous tournament. The top scorers’ rankings, a picture of dreams and aspirations, are taking shape, setting the stage for stunning confrontations.
Notable Mentions
