FA Premier League 2004-05

The 2004/05 season of the FA Premier League began in August 2004 and ended in May 2005. Chelsea F.C. became champions on 30 April 2005.

The relegation dog fight

The relegation battle was one of the most dramatic in English history. In each of the last three weekends of the season, the team that was bottom of the table at the start of the weekend finished it outside the drop zone. The final round of the season on 15 May started with West Bromwich Albion on the bottom, Southampton and Crystal Palace one point clear, and Norwich City in the last safe spot and two points from the bottom. For the first time since the advent of the current Premier League in 1992-1993, no club was assured of relegation going into the final day. The final matchday was publicised by Sky Sports as 'Survival Sunday', with accompanying promotional material advertising the last matchday like a title fight or epic movie blockbuster.

Related Topics:
15 May - West Bromwich Albion - Southampton - Crystal Palace - Norwich City - Sky Sports

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West Brom, who had been bottom of the table and eight points from safety at Christmas, did their part by defeating Portsmouth at home 2-0. Norwich, the only side to have their fate completely in their own hands, lost 6-0 at Fulham and went down. Southampton lost 2-1 at home to Manchester United. Palace, away to Charlton, were leading 2-1 in the second half and eight minutes from safety, but the Addicks' Jonathan Fortune equalised to consign the Eagles to The Championship. Thus, West Brom stayed up, and changed history, becoming the first club in Premiership history to avoid relegation after being bottom of the table at Christmas.

Related Topics:
Portsmouth - Fulham - Manchester United - Charlton - Jonathan Fortune

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At the end of 90 minutes in all 4 matches, Sky cameras focused on West Brom's ground, The Hawthorns, as confirmation of other results began to filter through. Once the realisation dawned on the players and fans that survival had been achieved, a mass pitch invasion was sparked, with huge celebrations. The Portsmouth fans in the away end of the ground joined in the celebrations and party atmosphere—as through losing 2-0 to West Brom, they had 'helped' relegate arch-rivals Southampton. Also, the defeat itself mattered little to Portsmouth, as they would be unable to improve on their 16th position due to 15th-placed Blackburn Rovers' greater points tally.

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