Premier League football fans are in for quite a treat as the 2025-26 season unfolds, with newly promoted sides Leeds United, Sunderland, and Burnley making headlines for their impressive starts and ambitious transfer dealings. As the calendar turns to late September, the buzz around these clubs isn’t just about their early results on the pitch, but also about the strategic moves made during a whirlwind summer transfer window. Let’s dive into the details of how these clubs are shaking up the top flight and what’s driving their remarkable momentum.
On the youth front, Leeds United Under-21s are gearing up for a crucial Premier League 2 clash against Norwich City Under-21s at the LNER Community Stadium on Monday, September 29, 2025. The match, kicking off at 7pm, marks a quick return to York for Scott Gardner’s young Whites, who recently picked up a hard-fought win in the Premier League International Cup against Sporting CP B. In that contest, Leeds battled back from a goal down, with Harvey Vincent’s clever finish at the back post leveling the score before defender Reuben Lopata-White powered home a dramatic late winner. That victory ensured Leeds took all three points in their opening group stage fixture, and Vincent’s goal was his second in as many games, following his strike in the PL2 defeat at Crystal Palace.
Despite that setback in London, where Leeds came from two goals down thanks to efforts from Vincent and Jacob Render before losing out at the death, Gardner’s side has shown resilience. With two wins and two defeats from their first four matches, Leeds U21s sit 16th in the PL2 standings, just one point behind their upcoming opponents Norwich City U21s, who occupy 14th. Norwich, for their part, are coming off a spirited 3-2 victory at Newcastle United, with Dylan Jones netting a brace and midfielder Toby Chilvers also getting on the scoresheet. The last time these teams met in York, it was Leeds who snatched a late win through skipper Alfie Cresswell, setting the stage for another potentially tight encounter.
Supporters eager to catch the action can grab adult tickets for £6, with concessions and under-16s priced at £3, and parking available for purchase. For those unable to make it to the LNER Community Stadium, LUTV subscribers can watch the full match live, while leedsunited.com will provide a live blog and post-match highlights. The anticipation is building, and with both teams so closely matched in the standings, Monday night’s fixture could be pivotal for their early-season momentum.
But it’s not just the youth ranks where Leeds United are making waves. The senior side, along with fellow promoted clubs Burnley and Sunderland, have combined for a whopping 23 points from their opening six Premier League games—the best collective start by promoted teams since the 2017-18 season. Sunderland leads the trio, having racked up 11 points from six matches, a tally unmatched by any promoted side in the past 13 years since West Ham United’s impressive 2012-13 campaign. This defensive steel has been a major factor; the 2025-26 promoted sides have conceded eight fewer goals and allowed 32 fewer chances than last year’s batch, while also being more clinical up front—scoring three more goals with just nine additional shots.
It’s a trend that’s turning conventional Premier League wisdom on its head. For years, pundits and fans alike have insisted that a reliable goalscorer is the key to survival in England’s top flight. But as this season’s newcomers are proving, defensive solidity might just be the trump card. As noted in a recent analysis, "this season's promoted sides have conceded eight fewer goals and given up 32 fewer chances compared to last season's promoted teams." The numbers don’t lie: Burnley, Leeds, and Sunderland are showing that shutting up shop at the back can be just as effective as finding the net at the other end.
Of course, much of this success can be traced back to shrewd summer spending, particularly in the case of Sunderland. The Black Cats wasted no time after their Championship play-off triumph, breaking their transfer record with a £20 million permanent deal for loan star Enzo Le Fee. That was just the beginning. Within a week, Sunderland splashed out another £30 million for Strasbourg’s Habib Diarra, before pulling off a coup by landing former Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka from Bayer Leverkusen. As the window progressed, the arrivals kept coming: Ajax duo Brian Brobbey and Bertrand Traore, along with RB Leipzig defender Lutsharel Geertruida, all joined on deadline day. By the close of business, Sunderland had made 15 new signings at a reported spend of over £160 million—ranking ninth in the Premier League for transfer expenditure.
The impact has been immediate. The new faces have settled quickly, and Sunderland found themselves in the top four after a gritty win away at Nottingham Forest on September 27, 2025. According to figures from TransferMarkt, Sunderland’s transfer spend of €187.9 million places them ninth in the league for expenditure, while they currently sit fifth in the table—a clear indication that their investment is paying off in the early going.
Leeds United, meanwhile, have also been active in the market, shelling out approximately €113.7 million this summer—ranking 15th in spending. Yet, the Whites are already outperforming expectations, sitting 11th in the Premier League standings as of September 28, 2025. Their prudent approach, focusing on both youth development and targeted signings, seems to be yielding dividends as they look to establish themselves in the top flight once again.
Burnley, the third of this season’s promoted trio, have likewise played their part in this collective surge, though their league position currently lags behind their spending. Still, their defensive improvements and ability to grind out results have contributed to the record-breaking points haul for newly promoted sides at this stage of the season.
So, what’s the secret sauce behind this year’s promoted teams? It’s a combination of smart recruitment, defensive discipline, and a willingness to adapt quickly to the demands of Premier League football. The data backs it up: more points, fewer goals conceded, and a clinical edge in front of goal. And with the season still in its infancy, there’s every chance these clubs could continue to defy expectations and shake up the established order.
As the action continues both in the Premier League and in youth competitions like the upcoming Leeds United U21s-Norwich City U21s showdown, fans have plenty to be excited about. Whether it’s the buzz of new signings, the thrill of tight league races, or the promise of young talent coming through the ranks, the 2025-26 campaign is shaping up to be one for the ages. Keep your eyes peeled—there’s still plenty of drama to come!
