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Ultimate League reveals Liverpool are England's top team, followed by Man Utd and Arsenal

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Liverpool remain the top team in England but Arsenal have overtaken Manchester United into second, according to the Sky Sports Ultimate League, which calculates clubs' average position over the past 50 years.

Liverpool topped the 89-team table - which incorporates the 2016/17 season - with an average league position of 3.44, buoyed by their phenomenal success during the 1970s and 80s.

Ahead of this season, Manchester United and Arsenal were drawn in second place, but, after Arsenal finished one place above United in fifth this season, the Gunners have overtaken the Red Devils.

Alexis Sanchez celebrates putting Arsenal ahead
Image: Arsenal have overtaken Manchester United into second place in the Ultimate League

Tottenham rank fourth, followed by Everton, Premier League champions Chelsea and Manchester City in seventh - with Spurs and City punching above their historic rank.

Despite being relegated from the Premier League last season, Aston Villa and Newcastle both made the Ultimate League top 10 in eighth and ninth, respectively.

OVERACHIEVING

Only teams that have played in the Football League for at least 15 seasons during the 50-year period are included and any non-league ventures are also factored. That means the Ultimate League provides a barometer for under or overachievement, based on historical league success over the past 50 years.

Bournemouth survived their second successive season in the top flight and remain England's top overachievers - punching 44 places above their Ultimate League rank.

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Josh King is congratulated by Bournemouth team-mate Simon Francis after scoring the winner at the Vitality Stadium
Image: Bournemouth are England's most overachieving team, punching 44 positions above their Ultimate League rank

Swansea have now featured in the top flight for six successive seasons, and will appear for a seventh after a narrow relegation escape, but their 15th-place Premier League finish this term was still 35 places above their historical rank.

Brentford (+29), Rochdale (+29), Scunthorpe (+28) and Hull (+23) are also enjoying good times - as are Championship play-off finalists Reading (+20) and Huddersfield (+20).

UNDERACHIEVING

Coventry City and Stockport County are the most underachieving teams in England, according to the Ultimate League.

The Sky Blues were relegated from League One this term after finishing 45 places below their average rank.

Coventry City's George Thomas
Image: Coventry City were relegated from League One this season and finished 45 places below their Ultimate League rank

Stockport County are also 45 places below their rightful place, finishing eighth in the National League North this season - the sixth tier of English football.

Notts County (-35), Portsmouth (-34), Luton Town (-34), Tranmere Rovers (-34) and Wrexham (-32) are also well below their past achievements, although Pompey will have the opportunity to cut the deficit after winning promotion to League One.

THE ONES THAT GOT AWAY...

Clubs to have appeared in England's top four tiers for 15 seasons or more since 1967/68 but not included in the average league due to diminished status or dissolution include FC Wimbledon, Chester City, Darlington, Hereford United, Newport County, Aldershot, Scarborough and Halifax Town.

Check the table below to see where your team finished and let us know what you think @SkyFootball #SkySportsUltimateLeague

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