The Premier League is flexing its muscles in Europe as five English teams finished in the top eight of the Champions League to reach the knockouts. That could become six in the last 16 if Newcastle win their two-legged play-off after they finished 12th in the league phase following a 1-1 draw at defending champions PSG on Wednesday. History could be made if Newcastle progress through the play-offs as never before have there been six Premier League teams in the Champions League knockouts. "I think we all said for a few years the Premier League is the best league in the world and I think this is another sign of it." So why have Premier League sides been so dominant against Europe's elite?

Source: BBC January 29, 2026 00:32 UTC