While Manchester City might be enduring what has become an infamous collapse, some Premier League clubs have enjoyed a sensational first-half of the campaign.
Although Liverpool might have stolen plenty of the Premier League’s headlines this season as they open Christmas Day holding a four-point buffer at the top of the table, some other of England’s elite have sprung a major upset.
With both Manchester United and Tottenham enduring their own public strugglers, a number of dark horses have emerged from the pack.
As we are set to enter the second-half of the 2024/25 campaign, we have taken a look at the Premier League’s ultimate surprise packages so far this season.
Chelsea
While some around Stamford Bridge might have been shocked over the summer following Enzo Maresca’s arrival at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea have enjoyed a sensational rise under the former Leicester boss.
Although the Blues might have opened up the 2024/25 campaign with a 2-0 loss at home against defending champions Manchester City, that was nothing more than a minor blip.
Breezing their way to a Europa Conference League quarter-final ticket earlier in the month with a 100% record, Chelsea also find themselves at the heart of a stunning Premier League title chase.
Opening Christmas Day sat in silver medal position and four points adrift of Liverpool, the Blues have suffered just a single defeat from any of their first 17 Premier League appearances so far this season.
With the mood around SW6 at a red-hot high and cementing their spot as a genuine Premier League title contender in 2025, Maresca’s side have continued to receive a string of plaudits from across the globe.
Despite being forced to settle for a 0-0 stalemate away at Everton last weekend, Chelsea have registered 25 points from their previous nine matchups across all competitions since returning from November’s international break.
Nottingham Forest
Although Nottingham Forest might have spent the majority of last season scrapping it out in the race to keep hold of their Premier League status, Nuno Espirito Santo has seen his squad embark on a sensational rise.
Breaking a string of records this season, the Reds open Christmas Day battling it out in the Champions League spots and in the midst of a remarkable purple patch.
Last seen claiming an eye-catching 2-0 victory away at Brentford, Nottingham Forest will open the New Year with their sights firmly set on booking a famous European ticket in 2025.
Despite opening December with a 3-0 loss at the Etihad, Santo’s side have collected 12 points from their previous five Premier League appearances.
Already putting 31 points on the board and currently sat fourth in the top-flight standings, there is now doubt that Forest have underlined their status as one of Europe’s ultimate surprise packages so far this season.
Welcoming Tottenham to the City Ground on Boxing Day, Santo will be smelling a golden opportunity to get one over on his former employers and collect another heavyweight scalp.
Bournemouth
Storming their way to another famous 3-0 romp away at Manchester United last weekend, Bournemouth have gained a string of plaudits since Andoni Iraola’s arrival at the Vitality last year.
While the Cherries might be limited by one of the smallest budgets among England’s elite, the former Rayo Vallecano boss has seen his squad claim a string of heavyweight scalps this season.
Opening November with a 2-1 victory against defending champions Manchester City, Bournemouth currently sit just three points adrift of finding a route into the Champions League spots.
In fact, along with a 1-0 win against Tottenham earlier in the month, Iraola’s high-flying squad have registered 13 points from just their previous five Premier League appearances.
Gaining a reputation for their free-flowing approach under the Spanish tactician, Bournemouth are riding what has become a remarkable wave of momentum and they have continued to demonstrate that they can mix it with any of the Premier League’s heavy hitters.
Making their return to the Vitality on Boxing Day afternoon when they welcome Crystal Palace to town, the Cherries will be looking to make another statement.
