2020-21_in_English_football

2020–21 in English football

2020–21 in English football

141st season of competitive association football in England

The 2020–21 season was the 141st season of competitive association football in England.

Quick Facts Season, Men's football ...

National teams

England national football team

Main article: England national football team

Results and fixtures

Friendlies
8 October 2020 England  3–0  Wales London, England
19:45 BST
Report Stadium: Wembley Stadium
Attendance: 0
Referee: Bobby Madden (Scotland)
12 November 2020 England  3–0  Republic of Ireland London, England
19:45 BST
Report Stadium: Wembley Stadium
Attendance: 0
Referee: Carlos del Cerro Grande (Spain)
2 June 2021 England  1–0  Austria Middlesbrough, England
20:00 BST
Report Stadium: Riverside Stadium
Referee: Lawrence Visser (Belgium)
6 June 2021 England  1–0  Romania Middlesbrough, England
17:00 BST
Report Stadium: Riverside Stadium
Referee: Tiago Martins (Portugal)
UEFA Nations League
Main article: 2020–21 UEFA Nations League A
Group 2
Main article: 2020–21 UEFA Nations League A § Group 2
More information Pos, Pld ...
Source: UEFA
(R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. Head-to-head points: Denmark 4, England 1.
5 September 2020 Iceland  0–1  England Reykjavík, Iceland
19:45 BST Report
Stadium: Laugardalsvöllur
Attendance: 0[note 1]
Referee: Srđan Jovanović (Serbia)
8 September 2020 Denmark  0–0  England Copenhagen, Denmark
19:45 BST Report Stadium: Parken
Attendance: 0[note 1]
Referee: István Kovács (Romania)
11 October 2020 England  2–1  Belgium London, England
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Wembley Stadium
Referee: Tobias Stieler (Germany)
14 October 2020 England  0–1  Denmark London, England
19:45 BST Report
Stadium: Wembley Stadium
Referee: Jesús Gil Manzano (Spain)
15 November 2020 Belgium  2–0  England Brussels, Belgium
19:45 BST
Report Stadium: King Baudouin Stadium
Referee: Danny Makkelie (Netherlands)
18 November 2020 England  4–0  Iceland London, England
19:45 GMT
Report Stadium: Wembley Stadium
Referee: Fábio Veríssimo (Portugal)
2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
Main article: 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)
Group I
Main article: 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group I
More information Pos, Pld ...
Source: FIFA, UEFA
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
25 March 2021 (2021-03-25) England  5–0  San Marino London, England
19:45
Report Stadium: Wembley Stadium
Referee: Kirill Levnikov (Russia)
28 March 2021 (2021-03-28) Albania  0–2  England Tirana, Albania
18:00 Report
Stadium: Arena Kombëtare
Referee: Orel Grinfeld (Israel)
31 March 2021 (2021-03-31) England  2–1  Poland London, England
19:45
Report
Stadium: Wembley Stadium
Referee: Björn Kuipers (Netherlands)
UEFA Euro 2020
Main article: UEFA Euro 2020
Group D
Main article: UEFA Euro 2020 Group D

More information Pos, Pld ...
Source: UEFA
(H) Hosts
Notes:
  1. Tied on head-to-head result (Croatia 1–1 Czech Republic) and overall goal difference (+1). Overall goals for was used as the tiebreaker.
13 June 2021 (2021-06-13) England  1–0  Croatia London, England
14:00
Report Stadium: Wembley Stadium
Attendance: 18,497
Referee: Daniele Orsato (Italy)
18 June 2021 (2021-06-18) England  0–0  Scotland London, England
20:00 Report Stadium: Wembley Stadium
Attendance: 20,306
Referee: Antonio Mateu Lahoz (Spain)
22 June 2021 (2021-06-22) Czech Republic  0–1  England London, England
20:00 Report
Stadium: Wembley Stadium
Attendance: 19,104
Referee: Artur Soares Dias (Portugal)
Knockout phase
Main article: UEFA Euro 2020 knockout phase
29 June 2021 (2021-06-29) R16 England  2–0  Germany London, England
17:00
Report Stadium: Wembley Stadium
Attendance: 41,973
Referee: Danny Makkelie (Netherlands)
3 July QF Ukraine  0–4  England Rome, Italy
21:00 CEST Report
Stadium: Stadio Olimpico
Attendance: 11,880
Referee: Felix Brych (Germany)
7 July SF England  2–1 (a.e.t.)  Denmark London, England
20:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Wembley Stadium
Attendance: 64,950
Referee: Danny Makkelie (Netherlands)
11 July Final Italy  1–1 (a.e.t.)
(3–2 p)		  England London, England
20:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Wembley Stadium
Attendance: 67,173
Referee: Björn Kuipers (Netherlands)
Penalties

England women's national football team

Main article: England women's national football team

Results and fixtures

Friendlies
27 October 2020 (2020-10-27) Germany  C-C  England Wiesbaden, Germany
16:00
(16:00 UTC+1)		 Stadium: Brita-Arena
1 December 2020 England  C-C[lower-alpha 1]  Norway Sheffield, England
19:15 Stadium: Bramall Lane
23 February 2021 England  6–0  Northern Ireland Burton upon Trent, England
12:30
Report Stadium: St George's Park
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Lorraine Watson (Scotland)
9 April 2021 France  3–1  England Caen, France
21:10 CET (UTC+1)
Report
Stadium: Stade Michel d'Ornano
Referee: Sara Persson (Sweden)
13 April 2021 England  0–2  Canada Stoke-on-Trent, England
19:15
Stadium: Bet365 Stadium
Referee: Cheryl Foster (Wales)

UEFA competitions

UEFA Champions League

Main article: 2020–21 UEFA Champions League

Group stage

Main article: 2020–21 UEFA Champions League group stage
Group C

More information Pos, Pld ...
Source: UEFA
Notes:
  1. Cancelled due to COVID-19 travel restrictions in Norway.[3]
  2. Tied on head-to-head points (3). Head-to-head away goals: Olympiacos 1, Marseille 0.
Group D

More information Pos, Pld ...
Source: UEFA
Group E

More information Pos, Pld ...
Source: UEFA
Group H

More information Pos, Pld ...
Source: UEFA
Notes:
  1. Tied on head-to-head points (3). Head-to-head away goals: Paris Saint-Germain 1, RB Leipzig 0.

Knockout phase

Main article: 2020–21 UEFA Champions League knockout phase
Round of 16
Main article: 2020–21 UEFA Champions League round of 16
More information Team 1, Agg.Tooltip Aggregate score ...
Quarter-finals
Main article: 2020–21 UEFA Champions League quarter-finals
More information Team 1, Agg.Tooltip Aggregate score ...
Semi-finals
Main article: 2020–21 UEFA Champions League semi-finals
More information Team 1, Agg.Tooltip Aggregate score ...
Final
Main article: 2021 UEFA Champions League Final
More information Manchester City, 0–1 ...
Attendance: 14,110[4]

UEFA Europa League

Main article: 2020–21 UEFA Europa League

UEFA Europa League qualifying phase and play-off round

Main article: 2020–21 UEFA Europa League qualifying phase and play-off round
Second qualifying round
Main article: 2020–21 UEFA Europa League second qualifying round (Main Path)
More information Team 1, Score ...
Third qualifying round
Main article: 2020–21 UEFA Europa League third qualifying round (Main Path)
More information Team 1, Score ...
Play-off round
Main article: 2020–21 UEFA Europa League Play-off round (Main Path)
More information Team 1, Score ...

Group stage

Main article: 2020–21 UEFA Europa League group stage
Group B

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Source: UEFA
Group G

More information Pos, Pld ...
Source: UEFA
Notes:
  1. Head-to-head points: Leicester City 4, Braga 1.
Group J

More information Pos, Pld ...
Source: UEFA

Knockout phase

Main article: 2020–21 UEFA Europa League knockout phase
Round of 32
Main article: 2020–21 UEFA Europa League Round of 32
More information Team 1, Agg.Tooltip Aggregate score ...
Round of 16
Main article: 2020–21 UEFA Europa League round of 16
More information Team 1, Agg.Tooltip Aggregate score ...

Notes

  1. Order of legs between Tottenham Hotspur and Dinamo Zagreb were reversed after original draw, in order to avoid a scheduling conflict with the Arsenal v Olympiacos second leg in the same city on 18 March, as Arsenal were the domestic cup winners and given higher priority over Tottenham Hotspur.[5][6]
Quarter-finals
Main article: 2020–21 UEFA Europa League Quarter-finals
More information Team 1, Agg.Tooltip Aggregate score ...
Semi-finals
Main article: 2020–21 UEFA Europa League Semi-finals
More information Team 1, Agg.Tooltip Aggregate score ...
Final
Main article: 2021 UEFA Europa League Final
More information Villarreal, 1–1 (a.e.t.) ...
Attendance: 9,412[7]

UEFA Youth League

Main article: 2020–21 UEFA Youth League

On 17 February 2021, the UEFA Executive Committee cancelled the tournament.[8]

UEFA Champions League Path

More information Team 1, Score ...

UEFA Women's Champions League

Main article: 2020–21 UEFA Women's Champions League

Knockout phase

Main article: 2020–21 UEFA Women's Champions League knockout phase
Round of 32
Main article: 2020–21 UEFA Women's Champions League Round of 32
More information Team 1, Agg.Tooltip Aggregate score ...
Round of 16
Main article: 2020–21 UEFA Women's Champions League Round of 16
More information Team 1, Agg.Tooltip Aggregate score ...
Quarter-finals
Main article: 2020–21 UEFA Women's Champions League Quarter-finals
More information Team 1, Agg.Tooltip Aggregate score ...
Semi-finals
Main article: 2020–21 UEFA Women's Champions League semi-finals
More information Team 1, Agg.Tooltip Aggregate score ...
Final
Main article: 2021 UEFA Women's Champions League Final
More information Chelsea, 0–4 ...
Attendance: 0[note 2]

Men's football

More information League, Promoted to league ...

Premier League

Main article: 2020–21 Premier League

In a season played almost entirely behind closed doors, because of COVID-19 restrictions, all matches were televised live in the UK for the first time.[10] Manchester City overcame a shaky start to the campaign and secured their third Premier League title in four seasons – having stood in eighth place in mid-December, the team went on an impressive 13-match winning run that sent them rocketing up the table and into first place, despite a succession of unexpected losses in the closing stages of the season, securing the title on top of a fourth consecutive League Cup victory and reaching their first ever Champions League final, losing in an all-English final to Chelsea. City rivals Manchester United finished not far behind them, despite not really being in the title race for much of the season, a consequence of a poor start which included three home losses in their opening six games (with further losses to Sheffield United, Leicester City and Liverpool at the turn of the year); however, the Red Devils at least ensured Champions League football once again, thanks in part to a remarkable run of form that saw them go unbeaten away from home all season.

The battle for the last two Champions League spots ended up going to the final day, with Chelsea, Leicester City and Liverpool battling it out – remarkably taking third spot were Liverpool, whose first title defence since 1990 ended up being one of struggle; whilst the Merseyside club stood top at the end of 2020, a complete collapse in form in the new year saw both the team's hopes of retaining the title as well as their 68-game unbeaten run at Anfield practically implode under the weight of both a lack of fans and an extensive injury crisis, including a season-ending injury to star defender Virgil van Dijk just five games into the campaign – however, a strong late run of form, coupled with the teams above them dropping points, helped the Reds to close the gap and squeeze into the top four. Chelsea finished fourth, a strong second half of the season under new manager Thomas Tuchel pushing the Blues from as low as ninth near the end of January to both securing a Champions League spot again and winning their first Champions League final since 2012 with victory over Manchester City, ending a mixed season (which included a second consecutive FA Cup final loss in a row) on a high. Having spent the most days in the top four for the season, another stuttering end to the league saw Leicester City finish fifth yet again and just barely miss out on the Champions League, with inferior home form compared to form on the road ultimately costing them; however, the Foxes at least finished the season with a trophy, winning their first ever FA Cup final and giving manager Brendan Rodgers his first piece of silverware with the club.

Finishing sixth were West Ham United, who surprised many in the season and went one further than their seventh-place finish in 2016 in manager David Moyes' first full campaign as Hammers boss, securing their biggest Premier League points total and a Europa League group spot for next year – the only blemish being an inconsistent end to the season, which cost what could have been potentially a shock top-four finish. North London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur endured difficult form across their campaigns, the Gunners even hovering above the drop zone in December, whilst Spurs briefly led the table just before Christmas; a dismal second half of the season though would see Spurs plummet down the table and ultimately culminate in Jose Mourinho being sacked in late April; under interim coach Ryan Mason, Spurs recovered to seventh and a place in the brand new Europa Conference League competition for the following season; Arsenal finished eighth for the second successive campaign, but would be left without any European football next season for the first time in 26 years. Leeds United's first top-flight season since 2004 proved to be ultimately successful for the Yorkshire side, both the team and veteran Argentine manager Marcelo Bielsa attracting plenty of praise for their attacking football and providing some spectacular results even in defeat, the Lilywhites comfortably securing 59 points, the highest for a promoted side since 2001.

Despite achieving some superb results, including taking four points off city rivals Liverpool in two controversial Merseyside derby games, Everton's hopes of European football were let down by a poor run of form on their home ground, securing just six wins compared to eleven on the road, ending their season in a disappointing tenth. In what ended up being Nuno Espirito Santo's last season as head coach, Wolverhampton Wanderers endured what ended up being a less successful campaign than their previous two, the loss of star striker Raúl Jiménez to a freak accident in a win at Arsenal contributed to the Black Country club falling down the table after a decent start and only avoiding a relegation scrap because of the poor form of the teams below them. In what also ended up being Roy Hodgson's final season as their manager, Crystal Palace also comfortably avoided the drop, extending their record run of top-flight seasons to nine in a row for the next campaign.

At the bottom of the table, all three relegated teams ended up occupying the spots with at least three games to go, and for the first time since the introduction of three points for a win in the top-flight, none of the relegated sides broke the 30-point barrier. Just one season after breaking into the top ten, Sheffield United endured one of the worst seasons in their history, breaking many unwanted records and equalling the record for the most losses in a Premier League season and the lowest goals scored in a 38-game season, though a series of wins in the second half of the campaign meant they ended up with a points total that, while still poor, was far from the worst in Premier League history. West Bromwich Albion finished above them, the controversial decision to sack manager Slaven Bilić in December in favour of Sam Allardyce going against the Baggies, the former England manager suffering only his second relegation in his managerial history (and his first since 1997), as they fell back into the Championship after a single season. Also returning to the second tier after one season was Fulham; despite enjoying a much better campaign defensively and securing some impressive wins, the London club's hopes were ultimately let down by a lack of goals (including just nine scored at Craven Cottage) and a high number of draws, making it the fourth season in a row where they moved between the Premier League and the Championship.

More information Pos, Pld ...
Source: Premier League
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) If the champions, relegated teams or qualified teams for UEFA competitions cannot be determined by rules 1 to 3, rules 4.1 to 4.3 are applied – 4.1) Points gained in head-to-head record between such teams; 4.2) Away goals scored in head-to-head record between such teams; 4.3) Play-offs[11]
(C) Champions; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. Since the winners of the 2020–21 FA Cup, Leicester City, also qualified for the Europa League based on league position, the second Europa League group stage berth allocated to England was transferred to the sixth-placed team.
  2. Since the winners of the 2020–21 EFL Cup, Manchester City, qualified for European competition based on league position, the Europa Conference League berth awarded to the EFL Cup winners was transferred to the highest-placed Premier League team not already qualified for European competition, the seventh-placed team.

Championship

Main article: 2020–21 EFL Championship

Having been relegated on a whimper the previous year, Norwich City responded in emphatic style, securing both an immediate return to the Premier League and their second Championship title in three campaigns – whilst ultimately finishing with a lower goal record compared to other seasons, despite Finnish striker Teemu Pukki recording another superb goal haul, the Canaries enjoyed a rare and much-improved season in defence. Finishing second were Watford, who overcame yet another mid-season managerial change (their sixth in just over a year) to join the Canaries in returning to the top-flight after one season, a superb run of form in 2021 earning Spanish head coach Xisco Munoz promotion on top of the Hornets also having their own impressive defence, conceding the least number of goals for any second-tier team since losing play-off finalists Preston North End in 2006. Taking the final spot through the playoffs by beating Swansea City - and ending a barren run of nine playoff campaigns across their history without success - were Brentford, who made amends for their narrow final loss the previous year and secured promotion to the Premier League for the first time, their win also sending the Bees back into the top-flight for the first time in 74 years; in addition, in a first for English football, all three promoted managers from any of the Football League divisions came from outside the British Isles.

Despite ultimately losing out in the playoff semi-finals, Barnsley were undoubtedly the surprise package of the campaign; having looked likely to battle relegation yet again at the end of October and then seeing their head coach depart for America, the appointment of unknown French manager Valérien Ismaël saw the Tykes rocket up the table - with some impressive results along the way to boot - and comfortably secure 5th place. After having battled against relegation since losing in the play-off final in 2017, Reading enjoyed a much improved season under Serbian head coach Veljko Paunović, only missing out on promotion owing to several bouts of indifferent form throughout the season that the teams above them took advantage of. Despite hovering above the relegation zone for much of the season, Coventry City managed to pull themselves over the line in their first season in the second tier since 2012, a good run of results in the closing months of the campaign pushing them firmly into mid-table - whilst the Sky Blues also received some good news off-pitch, managing to secure a new contract to return to their home stadium of the Ricoh Arena after two seasons away.

For the second reason running, the battle to avoid relegation saw all three places left wide open going into the last round of games – taking bottom place in the closing minutes of the season were Sheffield Wednesday, who fought valiantly to avoid the drop, only for the points deduction (twelve later reduced to six on appeal) for breaching financial rules imposed prior to the start of the season result in survival falling out of their reach, sending the Yorkshire club back into the third tier after a nine-year absence. Rotherham United finished second-bottom, and were relegated straight back to League One, making this the fifth successive season in which they swapped between the two divisions; despite ending up as statistically the worst team in the division, they managed to keep themselves in contention for survival – mostly because of having a multitude of games in hand as a result of two COVID-19 outbreaks – and would actually have survived had they not conceded an 88th-minute equaliser in their final match. Despite having what proved to be a spirited first season in the Championship, Wycombe Wanderers endured an immediate relegation back to League One, their chances ultimately being undone by a dreadful start that saw them lose their first seven games of the campaign, but at least staving off relegation until the last day of the season. Derby County, who struggled all season despite the appointment of Wayne Rooney as manager in November, would also have been relegated if not for Wednesday's points deduction; they did secure survival on the final day by holding Wednesday to a draw, albeit the result would have relegated them both without Rotherham conceding a late equaliser.

More information Pos, Pld ...
Source: EFL Official Website
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results; 5) Wins; 6) Away goals; 7) Penalty points (sec 9.5); 8) 12-point sending off offences[14]
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. Sheffield Wednesday received a 12 point deduction for breaching the League's Profitability and Sustainability Rules. This was later reduced to 6 points by an Independent League Arbitration panel.[12][13]

League One

Main article: 2020–21 EFL League One

Playing in the third tier for the first time since 2005, Hull City made amends for their dramatic collapse in form and consequent relegation the previous season, this time being in the top two for almost the entire campaign and ultimately emerging as champions. Peterborough United finished as runners-up, making this the third time that manager Darren Ferguson had taken the club into the Championship, and his fourth promotion with the club overall; whilst a number of poor results nearly went against them, the Posh successfully achieved promotion in a 3–3 draw with Lincoln City. Taking the final promotion via the playoffs and ending a six-year exile from the second tier were Blackpool, who marked the end of their first full season under manager Neil Critchley in spectacular fashion; despite making a slow start to the campaign, the Seasiders rocketed up the table and solidified themselves in the top six, coming from behind to beat Lincoln City in the final.

Whilst ultimately missing out on promotion yet again, Sunderland did at least secure some success in their third consecutive League One season by winning their first EFL Trophy - whilst also gaining new ownership in the process, in the form of 24 year old businessman Kyril Louis-Dreyfus. A very poor start to the campaign for Burton Albion saw the Brewers pulled into a relegation battle, a battle which was won with games to spare following the return of influential manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink for a second spell as manager. Wigan Athletic endured what proved to be yet another turbulent season both on and off the pitch, battling both a potential second successive relegation (and a potential fourth in seven seasons) and an uncertain future; however, a superb run of form late in the season that coincided with the Latics managing to find new ownership helped save the club from the drop.

Bristol Rovers finished bottom and returned to League Two for the first time in five years, with three different managers all trying and failing to improve the club's fortunes during the season. Swindon Town's season rapidly fell apart after promotion-winning manager Richie Wellens moved to Salford City early in the campaign, finishing the season with both the most defeats and the worst defence in the division as they suffered immediate relegation back to League Two; fellow newly promoted side Northampton Town joined them in immediate relegation, ultimately being cost dear by a terrible run of form in the winter. Rochdale occupied the fourth and final relegation spot, bringing an end to their longest spell to date in the third tier and finally enduring the relegation they had battled against in previous seasons.

More information Pos, Pld ...
Source: EFL Official Website
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results; 5) Wins; 6) Away goals; 7) Penalty points (sec 9.5); 8) 12-point sending off offences[15]
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated

League Two

Main article: 2020–21 EFL League Two

In a campaign marked with constant change among the top three, Cheltenham Town secured promotion back to League One for the first time since 2009, having stayed in the promotion race for nearly the entire season before edging back into the top three in late February, never once leaving it. The battle for both the remaining automatic promotion places and the playoff spots ended up going to the final day, with eight different clubs battling it out – but ultimately taking second and third place were Cambridge United and Bolton Wanderers; despite a poor run of form in December, promotion had never looked unlikely for Cambridge United, the U's securing promotion to the third tier for the first time since 2002, giving manager Mark Bonner his first promotion of his managerial career. Having spent the majority of the season looking likely to battle a third successive relegation, a surge in form in 2021 saw Bolton Wanderers rocket up the table and sneak into third place, securing an immediate return to League One and giving hope for a revival in form for the Greater Manchester club after years of struggle on and off the field. Winning the play-off final, and thereby securing promotion to the third tier for the first time in their history was Morecambe; a remarkable achievement considering their consistent battles against relegation in the previous seasons (which had seen them only escape relegation the previous season due to the demise of both Bury and Macclesfield Town), seeing off Newport County via a controversial penalty in extra time.

In their first ever Football League season, Harrogate Town defied all expectations and achieved safety with a number of games to spare – whilst inconsistent form prevented the Yorkshire side from challenging for promotion, they were never in any serious danger of an immediate return to non-league football. Barrow's first Football League season for 48 years saw the North West club ultimately secure survival against all odds – whilst first hit by the loss of influential manager Ian Evatt to Bolton Wanderers and then sacking two different managers before the end of February with results and form looking bleak, the club managed to pull themselves over the line thanks in part to caretaker manager Rob Kelly, who oversaw 10 of the Bluebirds' 13 wins in both his caretaker spells.

At the other end of the table, Grimsby Town endured a season full of struggle on and off the pitch that ultimately culminated in relegation – with even the return of manager Paul Hurst, who had overseen their return to the Football League in 2016, failing to help the Lincolnshire club escape the drop. Finishing just above them were Southend United, who suffered their second consecutive relegation and fell out of the Football League for the first time in their history, a run of just one win in their opening 15 games on top of an inability to score (their total of 29 goals being the lowest scored by anyone in a 24-team division since 1982) ended up setting the tone for the Essex club's hopes and in similar circumstances to Grimsby, the return of former manager Phil Brown late in the season proved to be too late to save the Shrimpers from losing their 101-year Football League status.

More information Pos, Pld ...
Updated to match(es) played on 31 May 2021. Source: EFL Official Website
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results; 5) Wins; 6) Away goals; 7) Penalty points (sec 9.5); 8) 12-point sending off offences[16]
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated

National League

Main article: 2020–21 National League

In a season marked with different teams taking top spot across the season, as well as postponement, delays and expunged results off the field, Sutton United finished top in their penultimate game and secured promotion to the Football League for the first time in their 123-year history, despite playing effectively with no fans all season. Taking the final battle through the play-offs, in a fight that went all the way to penalties in the final at Ashton Gate, were Hartlepool United, who reversed a run of three bottom-half finishes since falling out of the Football League in 2017 and ended manager Dave Challinor's first full season as Pools manager in superb fashion.

Mounting financial problems finally took its toll on Macclesfield Town, who were expelled from the National League and then finally wound up in the High Court before the campaign even began – the only positive coming late in the season, with the assets being rebranded as Macclesfield FC and the new club being given the go-ahead to enter the tenth tier for next season. Dover Athletic also encountered financial problems, which resulted in the team refusing to play due to a lack of promised funding and their results expunged for the season, on top of a points deduction being imposed at the start of the next campaign. As a result of the National League electing to declare the sixth tier null and void, no teams were relegated or promoted between the fifth and sixth tiers; a combination of all these factors proved beneficial for King's Lynn Town and Barnet, who were at threat of being cut adrift at the bottom of the table with the most losses and the worst defences in the division, ensuring fifth tier status for both clubs for next season.

League play-offs

Football League play-offs

Main article: 2021 English Football League play-offs
EFL Championship
Main article: 2021 English Football League play-offs § Championship
Final
Main article: 2021 EFL Championship play-off Final
More information Brentford, 2–0 ...
Attendance: 11,689
EFL League One
Main article: 2021 English Football League play-offs § League One
Final
Main article: 2021 EFL League One play-off Final
More information Blackpool, 2–1 ...
Attendance: 9,751
Referee: Tony Harrington
    EFL League Two
    Main article: 2021 English Football League play-offs § League Two
    Final
    Main article: 2021 EFL League Two play-off Final
    More information Morecambe, 1–0 (a.e.t.) ...
    Attendance: 9,083
    Referee: Bobby Madley

    National League play-offs

    Main article: 2020–21 National League § National League play-offs
    National League
    Final
    Main article: 2021 National League play-off Final
    More information Torquay United, 1–1 (a.e.t.) ...
    Attendance: 6,606
    Referee: Simon Mather

    Cup competitions

    FA Cup

    Main article: 2020–21 FA Cup
    Final
    Main article: 2021 FA Cup Final
    More information Chelsea, 0–1 ...
    Attendance: 20,000[note 3]

    EFL Cup

    Main article: 2020–21 EFL Cup
    Final
    Main article: 2021 EFL Cup Final
    More information Manchester City, 1–0 ...
    Attendance: 7,773[lower-alpha 1]

    Community Shield

    Main article: 2020 FA Community Shield
    More information Arsenal, 1–1 ...
    Attendance: 0[note 4]

    EFL Trophy

    Main article: 2019-20 EFL Trophy
    2020 Final
    Main article: 2020 EFL Trophy Final
    More information Portsmouth, 0–0 (a.e.t.) ...
    Attendance: 0
    Referee: Carl Boyeson
    2020–21
    Main article: 2020–21 EFL Trophy
    Final
    Main article: 2021 EFL Trophy Final
    More information Sunderland, 1–0 ...
    Attendance: 0
    Referee: Charles Breakspear

    FA Trophy

    2020 Final
    Main article: 2020 FA Trophy Final
    More information Concord Rangers, 0–1 ...
    Attendance: 0
    Referee: Peter Bankes
    2020–21
    Main article: 2020–21 FA Trophy
    Final
    Main article: 2021 FA Trophy Final
    More information Hereford, 1–3 ...
    Attendance: 6,000

    Women's football

    FA Women's Super League

    Main article: 2020–21 FA WSL
    More information Pos, Pld ...
    Source: FA WSL
    Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored.
    (C) Champions; (R) Relegated
    Notes:
    1. The total number of fans allowed to attend the final was established at 8,000 due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.
    2. Between the fourth round and the semi-finals, Harrogate were promoted to the Football League through the National League play-offs after the season had finished on an average points-per-game basis due to curtailment as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
    3. On 7 May 2021, Birmingham City were deducted one point for fielding an ineligible player in a draw against Reading on 25 April 2021.[19]

    FA Women's Championship

    Main article: 2020–21 FA Women's Championship
    More information Pos, Pld ...
    Source: FA WSL
    Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
    (C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
    Notes:
    1. Dependent on obtaining a licence.

    FA Women's National League

    Main article: 2020–21 FA Women's National League

    On 5 June 2020, all results were expunged from the 2019–20 FA Women's National League with no teams being promoted or relegated for the 2020–21 season.[20]

    Cup competitions

    FA Women's Cup

    2019–20 Final
    Main article: 2020 Women's FA Cup Final

    The final was played at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 1 November 2020.[21]

    More information Everton, 1–3 (a.e.t.) ...
    Attendance: 0[lower-alpha 1]
    2020–21
    Main article: 2020–21 Women's FA Cup
    Final

    The final was played at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 5 December 2021.

    FA Women's League Cup

    Main article: 2020–21 FA Women's League Cup
    Final
    Main article: 2021 FA Women's League Cup Final
    More information Bristol City, 0–6 ...
    Attendance: 0 (behind closed doors)
    Referee: Abi Byrne

    Women's FA Community Shield

    Main article: 2020 Women's FA Community Shield
    More information Chelsea, 2–0 ...
    Attendance: 0[note 5]

    Managerial changes

    This is a list of changes of managers within English league football:

    More information Team, Outgoing manager ...

    New clubs

    Clubs removed

    Deaths

    Retirements

    Diary of the season

    • 30 September 2020: The first month of the condensed football season ends with Leicester City, Liverpool, and Everton leading the Premier League, all winning their three games played so far. Aston Villa, Arsenal, Crystal Palace, and Leeds United have all also made good starts with six points from the first three matches. Burnley, Sheffield United, and Fulham (the only clubs without points so far) made up the bottom three. Reading and Bristol City are setting the early pace in the Championship with a full nine points each, followed by Swansea City, Bournemouth, and Watford on seven, and Blackburn Rovers in sixth due to a +8 goal difference at this early juncture. The third relegated club, Norwich City, finish September in midtable. Nottingham Forest, who missed the playoffs on the final day of the previous season, only avoid finishing the first month of the new season in the relegation zone due to Sheffield Wednesday's 12-point deduction. Wednesday finish September on -8 points, joined in the relegation zone by Derby County (22nd) and newly promoted Wycombe Wanderers.
    • 31 October 2020: October ends with Liverpool on top of the table, three points ahead of Everton (who have a game in hand) and Wolverhampton Wanderers. Chelsea, Aston Villa, Leicester and Tottenham Hotspur hold fourth through to seventh, while Sheffield United, Fulham, and Burnley remain in the relegation zone (their only changes in position coming about from changes in goal difference). Reading continue their good start in the Championship with a four-point lead on second-placed Swansea. Bournemouth, Norwich, and Watford continue to make headway on their campaigns to immediately return to the Premier League and stand third, fourth, and sixth respectively (Middlesbrough are fifth). Sheffield Wednesday remain on a negative points tally, and Derby and Wycombe continue to occupy the basement of the second tier.
    • 30 November 2020: Tottenham take the lead over Liverpool at the top of the table as November ends, albeit only on goal difference. However, with a quarter of the season played the Premier League table still shows congestion, with two points separating Chelsea, Leicester, West Ham United, Southampton and Wolves in the top seven, and six separating Chelsea from 15th-placed Crystal Palace. Sheffield United, the only club in the top four divisions without a league win so far, are firmly rooted to the foot of the table. Fulham have climbed out of the relegation zone at the expense of West Bromwich Albion; Burnley are 19th. The three sides relegated to the Championship last season continue to lead the way in the Championship, occupying the top three positions. Swansea and Reading are level with third-placed Watford on points, and Bristol City are sixth. Sheffield Wednesday are now 23rd after their points deduction was cut to 6 points, replaced at the bottom by Derby, while Wycombe remains in the relegation zone despite some good recent form.
    • 31 December 2020: For the third year running Liverpool finish the year top of the table, three points ahead of arch-rivals Manchester United having played a game more. The race for European football remains hotly contested with Leicester and Everton finishing 2020 in the top four and Aston Villa, Chelsea, Tottenham, Manchester City and Southampton all tied on 26 points. Sheffield United remain bottom with the worst-ever start to a Premier League season - 2 points from 16 matches. West Brom have dropped to 19th, prompting the sacking of Slaven Bilic in favour of Premier League veteran Sam Allardyce. Fulham are back in the relegation zone but have a game in hand over their nearest rivals, Brighton & Hove Albion. Norwich have climbed to the Championship summit, three points ahead of EFL Cup semi-finalists Brentford. Swansea consolidate third place, with them and Reading sandwiching Bournemouth and Watford, although the two relegated sides have a game in hand over their rivals. Derby have experienced a resurgence under former England international Wayne Rooney and finish December in 20th. Wycombe are now bottom. Sheffield Wednesday remain in the bottom three but have ceded 23rd place to Rotherham United, who have two games in hand over their Yorkshire neighbours due to postponements following a Covid outbreak.
    • 31 January 2021: A resurgent Manchester City finish January on top of the Premier League, having won all 9 games they played that month. Manchester United remain three points behind of the leaders in second, though City have the game in hand. A poor January that has seen the end of their 68-match unbeaten run at home sees Liverpool finish the month in third. Leicester drop to fourth, West Ham continue their unexpected run for European football to finish January fifth, and Spurs, Chelsea, and Everton are tied on 33 points to hold sixth through to eighth. The relegation zone remains unchanged from December despite Sheffield United picking up their first two league victories of the season, with Fulham 7 points adrift of 17th-placed Brighton. In the Championship, Norwich extend their lead to four points, with Swansea and Brentford swapping places from the end of 2020. Watford, Reading, and Bournemouth remain in the Championship top six (in that order), as do Rotherham (22nd), Sheffield Wednesday (23rd), and Wycombe (24th) in the bottom three.
    • 28 February 2021: Manchester City have extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to 12 points, having extended their winning run in all competitions to 20 games. Manchester United remain second, while Liverpool's poor form has seen Leicester, West Ham and Chelsea leapfrog them in the chase for Champions League football, with seventh-placed Everton also having a chance of jumping ahead of their Merseyside rivals if they win their two games in hand. Fulham, West Brom and Sheffield United remain in the relegation zone, but Fulham are now only 3 points behind Brighton and Newcastle United. Meanwhile, Norwich's lead in the Championship has been extended to 7 points, with Brentford taking back second place. Watford, Swansea (with two games in hand on their promotion rivals), Reading and Bournemouth remain in the top six, although Barnsley (who only avoided relegation the previous season with an injury-time goal in their final match) are only a point behind Bournemouth with a game in hand. The Championship relegation zone remains unchanged, but Rotherham hold two games in hand on relegation rivals Coventry City and Birmingham City.
    • 31 March 2021: Manchester City continue to extend their Premier League lead, standing 14 points ahead of Manchester United despite having their winning run ended by their city rivals. Leicester remain third, Chelsea and West Ham end the month exchanging their positions from February, and Liverpool have dropped to seventh, below Spurs. The relegation zone is unchanged, though Brighton have begun to pull away from the drop zone, leaving Fulham and Newcastle to fight for 17th. In the Championship, Norwich's lead has been slightly increased to 8 points despite the resurgence of second-placed Watford, but more importantly they are 14 points clear of Swansea, who have 27 left to play for. Brentford have dropped to fourth, while Barnsley have climbed to fifth, knocking Reading and Bournemouth down a place each. For the fourth consecutive month Wycombe, Sheffield Wednesday, and Rotherham hold the bottom three spots, but with Rotherham's multiple games in hand Coventry, Birmingham, and Derby are by no means out of the woods.
    • 30 April 2021: Manchester City are on the brink of their fifth Premier League title, standing 10 points ahead of Manchester United with only 5 games remaining. Leicester remain third with a 6-point lead over fourth-placed Chelsea who have a game in hand over them. West Ham remain fifth, three points behind Chelsea in the chase for a Champions League place. Liverpool and Spurs exchange their positions from March. The relegation zone in unchanged, though a resurgent Newcastle side are now 9 points clear of relegation places. Fulham and West Brom chances of staying are slim at this point, needing a highly unlikely turnaround in their last five games to have any chance of surviving. In the Championship, Norwich and Watford have been promoted to the Premier League after a single season at this level, with Norwich needing just another win to go up as league champions. Brentford have all but confirmed to finish the season third, meanwhile Swansea, Bournemouth and Barnsley have all confirmed their playoff spots as well. For the fifth consecutive month Wycombe, Sheffield Wednesday and Rotherham are in the relegation zone, with Wycombe needing a highly unlikely swing in the goal difference to stay up, but Rotherham still have a game in hand over Derby.

    Notes

    1. [N 1]
      Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe, all matches scheduled for September 2020 will be played behind closed doors.[1][2]
    2. [N 2]
      The final was played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden.[9]
    3. [N 3]
      Attendance was capped at 20,000 due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.[17]
    4. [N 4]
      The match was played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.[18]
    5. [N 5]
      The match was played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.[22]
    1. The final was played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.
    2. Rooney was initially appointed as interim manager until the end of the season, but the move was made permanent on 15 January 2021.
    3. Woodgate was initially caretaker manager, but was then appointed as manager until the end of the season on 21 February 2021.

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