Everton tops all‑time English league table, leaving United behind

The all‑time English top‑flight league table has been unveiled, ranking clubs over 138 years and placing Everton ahead of Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea. The table, compiled from every season since 1888, also highlights the smallest ever top‑flight side, Glossop North End, and shows how many historic clubs now sit outside the league.

Author and publication details

By Callum Bishop. Updated&nbsp Aug 12, 2026, 11:11 AM GMT+1. Currently completing his Master’s degree in International Sports Journalism at St Mary’s University, Callum joined the Snack Media Academy in 2023. Since then he has become a freelance writer for GiveMeSport in October 2023, with his work appearing on the Sports Gazette and Oh My Goal’s social media platforms. Readers can sign up with GiveMeSport; the platform invites Us to explore the data.

Scope and history of the table

Since the inaugural season in 1888, 65 teams have entered the English top flight, a period that began under Queen Victoria while Jack the Ripper roamed London and the first motion picture was filmed in Leeds. Over 138 years the competition has evolved, yet the all‑time table captures every club’s cumulative points, wins and defeats.

Key rankings and surprising placements

Everton now sits above Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea in the all‑time standings, a striking reversal of recent Premier League dominance. Despite City’s recent success, they remain outside the top five. The table also records Glossop North End as the worst ever top‑flight side, with just four wins from 34 matches, and Leyton Orient five points clear in the sixties tier. Hull City, currently a top‑tier club, has amassed only 171 points, while Wigan Athletic, another recent Premier League participant, also appears low on the list. Bournemouth narrowly miss the top 50.

One notable statistic is that Leicester City, the 2015‑16 Premier League champions, now rank within the top ten, while Liverpool sit at the summit of the all‑time chart. Arsenal hold the runners‑up spot, and Tottenham sit eighth, just 22 points behind Chelsea.

So the table reflects the flight of clubs through time, showing how former powerhouses like Blackburn and Wolverhampton Wanderers have slipped, while clubs such as Crystal Palace, the 2025 FA Cup winners and 2026 UEFA Conference League champions, are poised to climb higher.