What if Premier League matches ended at 90 minutes, set-piece goals were scrapped, or shots hitting the woodwork counted? Alternative tables based on these hypotheticals show dramatic changes in team standings, offering a fresh perspective on the season.
When considering only first-half results, Manchester City would lead the table by nine points over Arsenal. However, if only second-half results counted, City would drop to sixth, 13 points behind Arsenal. Manchester United would fall from fourth in the first-half table to 13th in the second-half, while Aston Villa would rise from 13th to second. West Ham would slide from 10th to 20th.
Removing stoppage-time goals would lift Leeds five places to 10th, as they have conceded nine goals after the 90th minute—more than any other team. Everton and Fulham would each drop three places if their stoppage-time goals were taken away. Liverpool would gain two points, enough to move from fifth to fourth.
If goals from set pieces and penalties were disallowed, Arsenal's points total would decrease by eight, as 21 of their 52 league goals have come from such situations. Aston Villa would lose seven points, while Everton and Sunderland would each lose six. Burnley would benefit most, having conceded 19 set-piece or penalty goals while scoring only nine.
Finally, if every shot hitting the post or crossbar counted as a goal, the table would shift again, highlighting the fine margins in football. These alternative tables show that while Arsenal sit top in reality, their position is far from secure under different conditions.
