We’re taking a look through the greatest Premier League relegation escapes from over the years.
Greatest Premier League Relegation Escapes
Leicester City – 2014/15
In 2014/15, Leicester City struggled throughout their first Premier League campaign after a decade-long absence. The Foxes were bottom of the table at Christmas with just ten points from 17 games.
Nigel Pearson’s side found themselves on the brink of relegation and had just won just four games entering April. A miraculous turnaround including a run of seven wins from their last nine ensured a comfortable survival.
Last minute winners against West Ham and West Brom alongside home wins against Newcastle and Southampton with a final day 5-1 thumping of QPR helped Leicester finish the season with 22 points from a possible 27.
West Brom – 2004/05
Despite being eight points from safety on Christmas Day in 2004, West Brom survived on the final day of the season to keep their Premier League status – marking the first time in history a team who sat bottom on Christmas was not relegated.
It was also the first time that no team had been relegated heading into the final 90 minutes of the season and the Baggies knew a win would be necessary at home to Portsmouth to push for survival.
Battling alongside Norwich, Southampton and Crystal Palace who all fell to defeat on the final day, Albion’s 2-0 win thanks to goals from Geoff Horsfield and Kieran Richardson secured a magical afternoon at The Hawthorns.
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Fulham – 2007/08
In the 2007/08 season under manager Lawrie Sanchez, Fulham had recorded two wins from 20 league games heading into the January transfer window.
Sanchez was dismissed and Roy Hodgson was named as the replacement with the Cottagers sitting 19th ahead of Derby County.
Knowing that anything but three points away at Manchester City in April would result in mathematical relegation, Fulham fell 2-0 down at the half but fought back to score three in the last 20 minutes and win thanks to Diomansy Kamara’s second of the game in injury time.
Fulham secured three straight away victories to ensure their survival including a 1-0 win away at Fratton Park against Portsmouth on the final day to stay up via goal difference.
Wigan Athletic – 2011/12
Despite being touted as out of their depth in the Premier League, Wigan made it a season to remember in the top flight in 2011/12 and produced a great escape under Roberto Martinez.
At one point early in the campaign Wigan lost eight consecutive games and remained in a relegation dogfight with nine games to play. They did not only escape, but cruised to survival in the top flight after winning seven of their last nine with one draw.
The Latics finished 15th with 43 points – seven clear of the drop zone.
Aston Villa – 2019/20
Aston Villa’s return to the Premier League in 2019/20 was certainly one to remember. The club spent £140m in the summer window, acquiring the likes of Wesley, Tyrone Mings, Douglas Luiz and Matt Targett.
Dean Smith’s side won one of their first seven and a series of inconsistent results left the Villans 19th after 34 games played and seven points from safety.
Villa won two of their next three against Crystal Palace and Arsenal alongside a draw with Everton, meaning the final two relegation spots with Norwich would be decided on the final day.
Jack Grealish’s decisive opener at the London Stadium after 84 minutes ensured Villa left with enough to survive and Norwich were joined by Watford and Bournemouth.
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