Overview

The 2012–13 Premier League was the 21st edition of the competition serving as the top tier of association football in England. The campaign ran from 18 August 2012 to 19 May 2013. Entering the season the title holders were Manchester City, who had won the previous season.

Teams and format

The league comprised 20 clubs, each playing 38 matches (home and away against every other side). Three clubs had been promoted from the Championship to replace the three relegated the prior year. Standard rules applied for league placement, continental qualification and relegation.

  • Promoted for 2012–13: Reading, Southampton, West Ham United.
  • Relegated at the end of 2012–13: Queens Park Rangers, Reading, Wigan Athletic.

Season summary

Manchester United secured the league title, winning a competitive race that also involved Manchester City and Chelsea. The campaign was notable for being the final full season in charge for long-serving manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who retired at its conclusion. United's title added to their long record of success in English football, while Robin van Persie, having joined United that summer, finished as the league's top scorer.

Notable events and distinctions

Several moments gave the season wider significance beyond the table. Wigan Athletic achieved a memorable FA Cup victory over Manchester City, yet were relegated from the Premier League that same season. The championship-winning campaign marked the end of Sir Alex Ferguson's managerial era at Manchester United and led to a high-profile managerial succession in the following offseason.

Importance and legacy

The 2012–13 season is remembered for its blend of continuity and transition: established powers claimed honours while smaller clubs produced memorable cup and league narratives. The season influenced subsequent transfers, managerial appointments and the competitive landscape of English top-flight football.

For further details on fixtures, statistics and club records from the 2012–13 Premier League, see contemporary season reviews and club histories, including resources linked from national coverage in England and individual club pages such as Manchester City.