Chelsea break 22-year-old Manchester United record of most days on top of the table

Chelsea were league leaders for most of the season and sealed the title comfortably

It has been a record-breaking season for champions Chelsea in many respects. They recently broke Manchester United’s record (262) of the most number of days as table toppers in a single season. This season saw Jose Mourinho’s men set a new record of 274 days in the Premier League era after they defeated Sunderland 3-1.

This is in direct contrast to Manchester City’s title victory last season where they managed to be on top of the table for just 15 days during the entire season. The Citizens had broken a record in itself by becoming champions after spending the shortest time at the top. It was Arsenal who had led the table for the most number of days (128 days) but they finally finished only fourth.

Manchester United’s record of 262 days at the top stood for two decades and was set by them in the 1993-94 season under Sir Alex Ferguson. Chelsea had come close to beating United’s record in the 2005/06 title-winning season under Jose Mourinho but fell short after reaching only 257 days.

It is interesting to note that Kevin Keegan’s Newcastle United spent an impressive 212 days at the top of the standings in the 1995/96 season only to concede the title to Manchester United. But the team that has struggled the most to convert their first-place standing into titles are none other than Chelsea’s London rivals Arsenal.

On three occasions, the Gunners have failed to turn their league standing advantage into silverware. Chelsea, meanwhile managed to set the record straight by notching up the record number of days at the top in the Premier League and finishing it up with the title.

Champions who spent most number of days on top

Club	Season	No. of days on top
Chelsea	2014/15	274
Manchester United	1993/94	262
Chelsea	2005/06	257
Manchester United	2006/07	250
Manchester United	2000/01	241

Champions who spent least number of days on top

Club	Season	No. of days on top
Manchester City	2013/14	15
Manchester United	2002/03	31
Arsenal	2001/02	47
Manchester United	1995/96	47
Arsenal	1997/98	56

Other stats from the season

- Chelsea have lost only four games this season in all competitions, which is the fewest in a season (all competitions) in the Premier League era. Three of their four defeats came in the League against Newcastle, Tottenham Hotspur and West Bromwich Albion. The other defeat came against Bradford City in the FA Cup.

- Chelsea captain John Terry set a personal record after becoming only the second outfield player to play every minute of every game for a team to win the League. The other player to do so was Gary Pallister in 1992-93 season for Manchester United.

- Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney became the first player in the Premier League to score ten or more goals in 11 successive seasons, proving he is one the most consistent strikers in the League.

- Chelsea striker Diego Costa had a dream start to the league as he reached 10 Premier League goals in only nine games; the only other player to reach double figures in fewer games is Mick Quinn (6) of Coventry.

- Liverpool have conceded six goals in a league game for the first time since losing 7-2 to Tottenham Hotspur in 1963.

- Stoke City striker Peter Crouch has now scored more headed goals than any other player in the Premier League. His tally stands at 47.

- Manchester City’s Sergio Agüero won this season’s Premier League Golden Boot after scoring 26 goals while Joe Hart won the Golden Glove.

(Stats have been taken from Opta and Squawka)