The final PL ‘big six’ head-to-head table of 2022-23: Chelsea dismal…

Nestor Watach • 26 May 2023

The clashes between the traditional Premier League ‘Big Six’ are always important in the battle for the top four and title race and the 2022-23 season has proven to be no exception.

There have been some brilliant clashes in the much-hyped Premier League glamour fixtures and the results in them correlate to how the table has shaped up.

Admittedly this season has knocked the old concept of ‘the big six’ on its head. In many years gone by, the top six places in the table were occupied with the six clubs that boasted the most expensively-assembled squads and wage bills – Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham – but that was not the case in 2022-23.

Newcastle United have finished in the top four and qualified for the Champions League for the first time in 20 years. Given the investment we’re expecting to see from the club’s owners in the coming years, we may well see a new ‘big seven’.

Meanwhile, Brighton have qualified for the Europa League by finishing sixth. The Seagulls have punched above their weight massively to take on the traditional powerhouses this season, registering big wins against the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United.

That’s seen Chelsea, who boast the most expensively-assembled squad in Europe, unthinkably wallowing in the bottom half and enduring their worst campaign of the Premier League era. Tottenham have also underachieved and may miss out on qualifying for European competition entirely.

Interestingly, the big six’s head-to-head table this season has correlated exactly to the order in which they’ve finished this season, with Manchester City the champions, Arsenal the runners-up and Manchester United back in the Champions League in 3rd place.

Further down the table, Liverpool will finish fifth, while Spurs and Chelsea’s poor results in the bigger games reflect the disappointing nature of their seasons.

Chelsea haven’t won a single match against the traditional ‘big six’ this season, with their 4-1 defeat away to Manchester United rounding off the 2022-23 head-to-head table.

Here’s how it breaks down in full:

1. Manchester City – 21 points

Played: 10
Won: 7
Drawn: 0
Lost: 3

Goals for: 24
Goals against: 12
Goal difference: +12

A Kevin De Bruyne Masterclass ✨

Pep Guardiola's side overwhelmed the Premier League leaders to gain the upper hand in the title race.

🎥 Highlights: Man City 4-1 Arsenal pic.twitter.com/4WpyHchonv

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 27, 2023