Here are the 5 greatest and most dramatic relegation battles in Premier League history.
The most heartbreaking outcome of them all. Back when Manchester City was a side struggling to stay up, they were relegated at the end of the 1995-96 season on goal difference. They did well to draw 2-all with 3rd placed Liverpool on the final day but positive results for Southampton and Coventry City meant that City were relegated on inferior goal difference. It was the first of two relegations in two seasons for the possible champions-elect of England.
The first Wigan miracle. In what turned out to be a relegation/survival playoff, Sheffield United hosted Wigan knowing a win or draw would secure their place in the Premiership as West Ham had to go to the champions, Man United to get a result to stay up. Unbelievably, the Blades lost and so did United, meaning Wigan & West Ham both stayed up at the expense of Sean Bean's club.
(this is just part 1 of 4 - Sheffield United v Wigan)
Man Utd 0-1 West Ham, Carlos Tevez scores to keep the Hammers up
The one that started Woy's memorable run at Craven Cottage. Woy helped inspire a Fulham side certain for relegation after taking over from Lawrie Sanchez and took advantage of a sharp decline by Reading to stay up and Danny Murphy's header against Pompey on the final day of the season. That meant despite Birmingham and Reading thumping Blackburn 4-1 and Derby 4-0 respectively, it'd be the Londoners who would survive at the death.
5 clubs - Birmingham, Wolves, Blackburn, Blackpool & Wigan were in danger on the final day, the most in Premier League history. All clubs bar Blackburn were in the drop zone during those last 2 hours of the season. In the end, the final cut was made on Birmingham and Blackpool who joined already relegated West Ham. It was heartbreak for Blackpool who had led 2-0 at Old Trafford earlier in the afternoon. Wolves stayed up despite losing 3-2 to Blackburn.
The mother of them all. No one had been relegated going into the last day of the season and 4 clubs were in danger of exiting the Premier League. 2 hours of drama which saw all of Norwich, Crystal Palace, Southampton and West Brom in the safe 17th spot. Incredibly, it was West Brom who had started bottom of the table on the day and bottom at Christmas who stayed up thanks to a 2-0 win at home to Portsmouth. Palace were the unlucky ones having led at rivals, Charlton before conceding a late equalizer.
Wopw you've brought back a lot of memories there!
ReplyDeleteThe best relegation survival is one you haven't mentioned in my opinion.
Carlisle in 1999.
Jimmy Glass, a goalkeepr on loan scoring a last minute goal to keep them in the football league.
No Everton? No Wimbledon? Can't be the greatest then.
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