Arsenal are Premier League champions after a dramatic 2025/26 season, securing the title with victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. At the other end of the table, Tottenham avoided relegation, but West Ham dropped to the Championship alongside Burnley and Wolves. Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa, and Liverpool qualified for the Champions League, while Bournemouth and Sunderland reached the Europa League, and Brighton will play in the Conference League. Here are The Independent Sport's awards for the season.
Player of the Season
Miguel Delaney: Declan Rice. I considered David Raya and Bruno Fernandes, but Rice pushed through immense pressure to secure the title.
Richard Jolly: Rice. I voted for Bernardo Silva for Footballer of the Year when City looked like a treble, but Rice has been Arsenal's outstanding individual.
Lawrence Ostlere: Fernandes. His chance creation was world-class, and he contributed defensively as much as Rice.
Kieran Jackson: Rice. He was talismanic in Arsenal's first-half lead, fading slightly but returning to form in the final weeks.
Will Castle: Fernandes. He remained a constant light for United through difficult times and was integral to their resurgence under Michael Carrick.
Manager of the Season
MD: Mikel Arteta. Arsenal's long-term overperformance is overlooked; he dispelled doubts at key moments.
RJ: Unai Emery. Villa qualified for the Champions League twice and won their first trophy in 30 years.
LO: Regis Le Bris. Sunderland's newly assembled team gelled with defensive solidity, finishing in the top half and qualifying for Europe for the first time in over 50 years.
KJ: Keith Andrews. He defied expectations at Brentford, steering them towards Europe after being tipped for the sack.
WC: Arteta. He ended Arsenal's 22-year title drought, overcoming City's fightback and potential fourth consecutive second-place finish.
Moment of the Season
MD: The VAR review of Callum Wilson's goal. The tension around Chris Kavanagh's decision was exquisite and symbolic.
RJ: Mohamed Salah's remarkable interview at Leeds, amid off-field drama including Ruben Amorim's press conference and Pep Guardiola's departure.
LO: Declan Rice's "It's not over" after Arsenal's defeat to City. It showed a defiant mentality that proved integral.
KJ: Max Dowman's goal against Everton. The 16-year-old became the Premier League's youngest-ever goalscorer in a statement Arsenal victory.
WC: The VAR review again. Its magnitude in the title and relegation races cannot be denied.
Game of the Season
MD & RJ: Newcastle United 2-3 Liverpool. Astonishing drama with a 100th-minute winner from 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha.
LO: Manchester United 2-0 Manchester City. Michael Carrick's first game in charge sparked a transformation.
KJ: Liverpool 1-2 Manchester City. A stunning free-kick and a City fightback extended the title race.
WC: Fulham 4-5 Manchester City. City led 3-0, then 5-1, but Fulham reduced the deficit to one, nearly completing a historic comeback.
Signing of the Season
MD: Senne Lammens. He personified Manchester United's newfound stability.
RJ & LO: Dominic Calvert-Lewin. A free transfer who scored 15 goals to keep Leeds up.
KJ: Granit Xhaka. Signed for £13m, he became captain and was key to Sunderland's European push.
WC: Antoine Semenyo. City's January signing from Bournemouth was on fire and helped Arsenal win the league sooner.
Surprise of the Season
MD & WC: Brentford. Keith Andrews defied expectations after being tipped for the sack.
RJ: The success of promoted teams Sunderland and Leeds, catching out Wolves, West Ham, and Tottenham.
LO: VAR getting worse instead of better.
KJ: Tottenham's relegation battle under Thomas Frank, whose early optimism quickly plummeted.
What are you looking forward to next season?
MD: More open football from rule changes.
RJ: Managerial changes: Xabi Alonso at Chelsea, Marco Rose at Bournemouth, likely Enzo Maresca at City, and Crystal Palace's appointment.
LO: Alonso at Chelsea is a great storyline.
KJ: Manchester City post-Guardiola; how will Maresca fare?
WC: Alonso to Chelsea intrigues; his Bayer Leverkusen record was remarkable.
Team of the Season
MD: Raya; Timber, Senesi, Gabriel, O'Reilly; Rice, Scott; Semenyo, Fernandes, Rogers, Thiago.
RJ: Raya; Timber, Lacroix, Gabriel, O'Reilly; Silva, Rice; Szoboszlai, Fernandes, Doku; Thiago.
LO: Lammens; Timber, Senesi, Gabriel, Kadioglu; Rice, Garner; Wilson, Fernandes, Semenyo; Haaland.
KJ: Raya; Timber, Guehi, Gabriel, O'Reilly; Rice, Xhaka, Fernandes; Semenyo, Doku, Thiago.
WC: Raya; Timber, Guehi, Gabriel, O'Reilly; Rice, Fernandes, Rogers; Semenyo, Thiago, Kroupi.
