How difficult is it to never be relegated in the Premier League? Only 6 teams have achieved it, including Everton, while even a strong team like Manchester City has not accomplished it.
The Premier League, one of the most watched leagues in European football, has attracted the attention of fans worldwide since its inception in 1992. The league has developed for over 30 years, gradually improving and seeing an increase in the strength of its teams. Some weaker teams in the league have been relegated, with some perhaps returning to the Premier League and others possibly falling into obscurity. So, in the more than 30-year history of the Premier League, which teams have never been relegated? Let's take a look today.
Everton - Best Result: Fourth Place
Although Everton has never won the Premier League title, the Toffees have never been relegated in their 33-year history in the Premier League. In the inaugural season of the Premier League, Everton finished 13th with 53 points, successfully remaining in the top flight. In subsequent seasons, despite not having any standout performances, Everton managed to stay in the Premier League, continuing to compete at the highest level of English football. The 2004-05 season saw Everton achieve their best result in the Premier League to date, finishing fourth with 61 points from 18 wins, 7 draws, and 13 losses. Everton also finished fifth in the 2007-08 and 2008-09 seasons, maintaining a mid-table position in subsequent seasons. In the 2022-23 season, Everton narrowly avoided relegation by finishing fourth from bottom. In the 2023-24 season, Everton had eight points deducted from their league tally, putting them close to relegation, but the resilient Toffees managed to avoid the drop and continue their 33rd season in the Premier League.
Tottenham Hotspur - Best Result: Runners-up
As one of the Premier League's "Big Six," Tottenham Hotspur has also never been relegated from the league, although they are the only team among the Big Six to have never won the Premier League title. In the early days of the Premier League, Tottenham consistently ranked in the lower half of the table until the 2005-06 season when they first finished in the top five. Their ranking gradually improved after that. They secured fourth place in the 2009-10 season, which was their first time in the top four of the Premier League. In the 2015-16 season, Tottenham challenged Leicester City for the title but ultimately finished third. In the 2016-17 season, Tottenham finished second, seven points behind Chelsea, and have since fluctuated between Champions League and Europa League qualification, maintaining a stable position in the upper half of the table. Despite not having won the title, Tottenham remains a formidable opponent in the Premier League.
Chelsea - Best Result: Champions
Chelsea has won the Premier League title five times, second only to Manchester City and Manchester United in the Premier League era. However, in the early days of the Premier League, Chelsea could only manage mid-table finishes. With the arrival of Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, Chelsea's performance soared, and they claimed their first Premier League title in the 2004-05 season, edging out Arsenal. They successfully defended their title in the 2005-06 season, achieving back-to-back championships. Chelsea then engaged in multiple title battles with Manchester United, Arsenal, and Manchester City, winning additional titles in the 2009-10, 2014-15, and 2016-17 seasons. Chelsea's recent seasons have seen fluctuations due to changes in club ownership, but with an improvement in their record this season, their league standing has also risen, giving them hope of returning to the Champions League in their 33rd Premier League campaign.
Liverpool - Best Result: Champions
Currently topping the Premier League table, Liverpool has only won the title once in the Premier League era, but the club boasts a glorious history, having won the English top-flight championship 18 times in the old First Division era. Since the advent of the Premier League, Liverpool has consistently ranked in the upper half of the table but lacked the strength to claim the title. In the 2001-02 season, Liverpool finished seven points behind Manchester United as runners-up, and they remained without a title thereafter. In the 2008-09 season, Liverpool again finished as runners-up, four points behind Manchester United. In the 2013-14 season, Liverpool fell two points short of champions Manchester City, once again finishing second. However, the team's strength has grown year by year, giving them the ability to challenge for the title, and with the arrival of Jurgen Klopp, their strength has reached new heights. Liverpool finally overcame Manchester City to win their first Premier League title in the 2019-20 season. Under new manager Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool continues to lead the standings this season, with hopes of securing their second Premier League title.
Arsenal - Best Result: Champions
Arsenal is another team that has never been relegated, having won the Premier League title three times. In the 1997-98 season, Arsenal pipped Manchester United to the title, ending United's run of two consecutive championships. Arsenal won another title in the 2001-02 season with a record of 26 wins, 9 draws, and 3 losses. The 2003-04 season marked Arsenal's most magical campaign in the Premier League, where they went unbeaten throughout the season with 26 wins and 12 draws, historically winning the title without a single defeat—the only time such a feat has been achieved in Premier League history. Although Arsenal has not won another title since, they have consistently ranked in the upper echelons of the league. Under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal finished as runners-up in both the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons.
Manchester United - Best Result: Champions
Manchester United can arguably be considered the best team in the Premier League era, having won the title 13 times under the leadership of Sir Alex Ferguson. In the inaugural season of the Premier League in 1992-93, United claimed their first title, followed by a successful defense in the 1993-94 season, achieving back-to-back championships. United repeated this feat in the 1995-96 and 1996-97 seasons. As the millennium approached, United secured their first hat-trick of titles and won their eighth Premier League title in the 2002-03 season. United again achieved a hat-trick of titles in the 2006-07, 2007-08, and 2008-09 seasons. They added their 12th and 13th titles in the 2010-11 and 2012-13 seasons, but with Ferguson's retirement, their dominance came to an abrupt end. Since winning the Premier League title in 2013, United has gone over a decade without another league championship. The club has experienced turmoil in recent seasons, changing managers several times but unable to alter their chaotic state. Currently, United sits 14th in the league, facing significant challenges.