Are major trophies becoming less monopolised?

Top clubs in England have historically fought it out over three major domestic trophies: the League title, FA Cup and League Cup. And for those fortunate enough to qualify, there is also the chance to go for glory in three major European competitions. But with so many competitive clubs around, it’s proving more and more difficult for the traditional powerhouses of English football to keep their monopoly on major trophies. Not such great news for fans of those particular clubs, maybe. But for everyone else, the way in which trophies were shared around in the 2024/25 season in particular is a cause for optimism

2024/25 campaign surprises

The most recently completed season saw no fewer than five different Premier League clubs claim a major trophy. Liverpool were the dominant force in the Premier League of course, and won the league title comfortably with games to spare. The Anfield Club are by anyone’s measure one of the standard bearers of English football, and have been hoovering up trophies consistently over the course of much of their history. Likewise Chelsea, who have proven in recent decades to be a main challenger for all of the major trophies around. The London club added another crown to the cabinet by wrapping up the UEFA Conference League.

But elsewhere, trophies reached rather more surprising destinations. Tottenham Hotspur endured a miserable domestic campaign, but their success in the UEFA Europa League meant a first trophy success in 17 long years. But that’s not nearly as long as the long-suffering yet passionate fans of Newcastle United had to wait. The drought had lasted 70 years by the time the Magpies secured the 2025 League Cup, sparking jubilant scenes on Tyneside. 

And then there was Crystal Palace. Top-flight regulars, the Eagles managed to secure their first ever major trophy by defeating Manchester City in the 2025 FA Cup Final at Wembley. For once, teams of the supposed smaller clubs among the English football fraternity had the chance to celebrate. Indeed, even West Ham United, winners of the 2023 UEFA Conference League, have had recent reason to celebrate after a long barren run (43 years in this case).

Don’t keep me waiting

With Palace, Newcastle, Spurs and West Ham ending hoodoos of varying lengths to claim major prizes in recent seasons, hopes must now be elevated among fans of other clubs that their times are approaching. Of course, supporters of the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United, traditional big dogs of English football, must be disappointed that success eluded them in the 2024/25 campaign. But for fans of the two Manchester Clubs at least, it’s still only just over 12 months since success was last secured. Arsenal have had an uncharacteristically longer wait: it’s now been five years since the Gunners last won silverware in the shape of the FA Cup (not counting the FA Community Shield).

But five years is a paltry amount of time if you consider the rest of the division, as this list of current major trophy barren runs among the 2025/26 Premier League teams attests to:

• • Aston Villa – 30 years (1995 League Cup)
  • Everton – 31 years (1994 FA Cup)
  • Leeds United – 34 years (1991 First Division League title)
  • Nottingham Forest – 35 years (1990 League Cup)
  • Wolverhampton Wanderers – 45 years (1980 FA Cup)
  • Sunderland – 52 years (1973 FA Cup)

• Burnley – 65 years (1960 First Division League title)

Breaking a duck

As many Premier League teams become more competitive, as witnessed both in the trophy cabinets and in the odds that top sports betting sites and online casinos in UK offer, the monopoly appears to be breaking. And that’s very good news in particular for fans of Brighton and Hove Albion, Fulham, Bournemouth and Brentford, all teams who have established themselves as Premier League forces in recent seasons. These are four clubs who can all justifiably claim success to be in their grasp after consistent performances over recent seasons but, who, rather surprisingly, have never claimed a major trophy between them in their collective histories. If inspiration was needed, we present Crystal Palace as exhibit A. Let the dreaming begin!