Premier League greatest relegation escapes

The Premier League is renowned for its intensity, drama, and nail-biting finishes. While the title race and top-four battles often dominate the headlines, the battle to avoid relegation can produce some of the most captivating and memorable moments in football.

Ahead of the final weekend of Premier League drama this Sunday, with Leicester, Leeds and Everton all still fighting for their lives, we look back at the greatest relegation escapes.

Leicester City – 2014/15

The story of Leicester City’s escape during the 2014-15 season is nothing short of a fairytale. Under the guidance of manager Nigel Pearson, the Foxes seemed destined for relegation, rooted to the bottom of the table at Christmas. However, a remarkable turnaround saw the Midlands side win seven of their final nine matches, securing survival with an astounding run of form.

Their resurgence was epitomised by their fighting spirit and relentless determination. Spearheaded by the dynamic duo of Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez, Leicester played with a fearless attacking style that caught their opponents off guard. The team’s unwavering belief, coupled with heroic performances from goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, propelled them to safety and laid the foundation for their stunning Premier League title triumph the following season.

West Bromwich Albion – 2004/05

Ahead of their local derby with Birmingham City on Sunday 6th March, Bryan Robson’s West Bromwich Albion found themselves eight points from safety and increasingly unlikely to survive the domestic season. However, a crucial 2-0 victory against their rivals started to turn the tables for the Baggies as results began to improve.

Another massive victory against Portsmouth on the last day of the season, combined with favourable results elsewhere, ensured their survival against all odds, finishing just two points ahead of bottom club Southampton and one ahead of 18th placed Crystal Palace. The spirit and determination displayed by the west Midlands club in the face of adversity made their escape one for the ages, etching their names into Premier League history.

Wigan Athletic – 2011/12

Wigan Athletic’s survival during the 2011-12 season will be remembered as a testament to the managerial prowess and rise of head coach Roberto Martinez. At the midpoint of the season, Wigan had accumulated just 15 points from 19 matches, including an 8-match losing run between September and November, leaving them in a precarious position by the Christmas period.

However, Martinez’s tactical acumen and his belief in an attacking philosophy instilled a fighting spirit in the team. Led by the impressive performances of Victor Moses, Shaun Maloney, and James McCarthy, Wigan’s late surge saw them secure crucial points against their relegation rivals, on top of stunning victories over Arsenal, Manchester United, and Newcastle United. In a tense finale, they defeated Stoke City 1-0 on the final day of the season, securing their Premier League survival against all expectations.

West Ham United – 2006/07

West Ham’s controversial escape from relegation in the 2006/07 season was certainly another one for the history books. Having amassed a mere 20 points from 20 matches at the midpoint of the season, and needing to overturn a 10-point deficit with nine games to play, the odds were stacked against Alan Curbishley’s men.

However, a series of impressive performances and crucial victories propelled their resurgence. Led by the attacking prowess of Carlos Tevez, signed mysteriously and eventually deemed illegally by the Premier League, and the creative brilliance of Yossi Benayoun their revival gained momentum in the latter stages of the season.

Crucial win against Wigan Athletic in their penultimate match provided a lifeline, setting up a final-day showdown against Manchester United. In a dramatic finale, West Ham clinched a hard-fought 1-0 victory, securing their Premier League survival against all odds.

Sunderland 2013/14

Sunderland became only the second side in Premier League history to avoid relegation having been bottom of the table at Christmas. The club had already made a managerial change by that point of the season after dismissing Paolo Di Canio – who picked up just one points from their opening eight fixtures – for another charismatic head coach in Gus Poyet. After the Uruguayan was beaten 4-0 in his first game against Swansea, things were looking bleak for the Black Cats during the winter period.

With 32 games played and only six remaining, Poyet’s side sat rock-bottom of the Premier League, still seven points from safety, and looked all but confirmed for a spell in the Championship the next year.

However, the best of their season was yet to come. After snatching a draw away at eventual champions Manchester City, Sunderland racked up four wins, including a remarkable away victory at Stamford Bridge to end Jose Mourinho’s 77-game unbeaten league run at home as Chelsea boss. The Black Cats’ survival was confirmed by a 2–0 victory over West Brom on the penultimate matchday of the season, effectively relegating Norwich City in the process.

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