The Premier League clubs with the fewest points to survive after Nottingham Forest set new record by staying up

09/06/2024 10:30 AM

Survival in the Premier League is often the aim for the majority of top-flight clubs and 40 points is usually seen as the magic number.

That is the benchmark for most teams, with only three sides relegated on more than 40 points since the top-flight switched to 20 in 1995.

However, there have been plenty of times when fewer than 40 points have been required to stay in the Premier League.

And last season a new record was set, with Nottingham Forest managing to stay in the top flight despite finishing on only 32 points.

But what are the other lowest points totals to survive in Premier League history?

Bradford City – 1999/2000 – 36 points

Bradford achieved what many thought would be impossible at the turn of the century when they defied the odds to beat the drop.

On the final day, they faced Champions League-chasing Liverpool, and it was expected that they would lose, but they beat the Reds 1-0 to maintain their place in the top-flight.

Fulham – 2007/08 – 36 points

The Cottagers won just five games all year, yet heading into the final day, they still had a chance to stay up.

They found themselves 2-0 down against Manchester City at half time but came back to win 3-2, and results elsewhere saw Fulham remain in the top-flight.

West Brom 2013/14 – 36 points

West Brom endured a horrible campaign under Spaniard Pepe Mel, winning just three of his 18 games in charge.

But the Baggies remained in the Premier League thanks to a 1-0 win over Norwich, which saw the Canaries relegated instead.

Southampton 2017/18 – 36 points

The 2017/18 campaign was one to forget for all connected with Southampton as the south coast-based club just avoided the drop.

The Saints scored less than a goal a game and won just seven times, but it was enough to keep them up above Swansea.

Brighton 2018/19 – 36 points

Brighton‘s second season in the Premier League proved to be a tough one as they only scored 35 goals and actually won fewer games than Cardiff.

However, the Bluebirds’ lack of draws ensured they went down instead.

Everton – 2022/23 – 36 points

The Toffees stayed in the Premier League on just 36 points two seasons ago, but they needed a win on the final day to do it.

Abdoulaye Doucoure’s stunning volley sealed a 1-0 victory over Bournemouth that kept them up.

The goal relegated Leeds and Leicester to the Championship.

Hull City – 2008/09 – 35 points

During their first Premier League campaign, the Tigers made a great start, winning six of their opening nine league games.

However, they won just two more all season and rapidly fell down the table, but that was still good enough to finish above Newcastle, who crashed into the Championship.

West Ham – 2009/10 – 35 points

Before West Ham were a regular European team, they enjoyed their fair share of relegation battles, and none came as close as this one.

The Hammers won just once away from home all year and struggled to score goals, but somehow, they stayed up.

Aston Villa – 2019/20 – 35 points

Villa staying up in this season is probably one of the most important results in the club’s recent history because if they hadn’t, there would be no Unai Emery.

But during the end of the 2019/20 season, played behind closed doors due to the COVID pandemic, the Villans managed to turn around their awful start and stay in the league.

And there was some controversy over how they stayed up, with an error by goal-line technology helping them out…

West Brom – 2004/05 – 34 points

This is the second time the Baggies appear on this list, but this team is remembered a lot more fondly than the other because of an incredible final day.

West Brom were bottom at Christmas but managed to take it to the last day.

The Baggies won, but they needed Crystal Palace to drop points, which they duly did against Charlton, sending the Eagles down.

Nottingham Forest – 2023/24 – 32 points

A new record was set last season.

Nottingham Forest managed to stay up on only 32 points.

After sacking Steve Cooper and appointing Nuno Espirito Santo, they managed to find enough form to avoid the drop.

Although they have an incredibly poor bottom three to thank with Sheffield United, Burnley and Luton all failing to reach the 30-point mark across the season.

Forest’s season included a four-point deduction which does impact things, but even with those four added back on, they’d be on this list!