Southampton Escapes Record-Breaking Lowest Points Total in Premier League History
Premier League team Southampton manages to dodge setting an undesirable points record
In a tense clash with Manchester City, Southampton managed to draw 0-0, staving off the unwanted record of having the Premier League's lowest single-season points total. With 12 points, the team is now one point above Derby County's dismal 11 points from the 2007-08 season.
"It's a relief to have that off our backs," admitted Southampton defender Jack Stephens. "We're still very disappointed with our performance this season. We haven't been good enough."
With just two victories this season, Southampton, who have already been relegated, sit nine points below next-to-last Leicester. However, they will avoid the infamy of being the worst team ever to play in the Premier League since its inception in 1992.
"I'm delighted for the lads and the fans to have something to cheer about," Stephens added.
Since the league's inception, Derby County holds the dreaded record of the lowest single-season points total in the Premier League. Let's take a look at the sad history of teams struggling to accumulate points:
Derby County (2007-08) - 11 Points
Derby returned to the Premier League after a five-year absence, winning the Championship play-off final against West Brom. However, the team struggled severely in their Premier League campaign, drawing their first game 2-2 against Portsmouth but losing their next four matches, including a crushing 6-0 defeat at Liverpool. The Rams managed just one win that season, against Newcastle United, and broke the record for the most consecutive games without a win, reaching 32 games. They scored a paltry 20 goals and lost 29 matches.
Other Low-Point Seasons
Sunderland (2002-03) and Aston Villa (2015-16) both had mediocre seasons with 19 points, but Derby's 11 points still hold the record for the lowest. Southampton initially seemed set to match Derby's record but managed to climb above it and secure more than 11 points this season.
The Premier League's lowest points total underscores the challenges teams face when competing against stronger opponents and the importance of consistency in performance throughout the season.
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Sources:1. https://www.premierleague.com/news/3470792. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/572590293. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2007/12/19/champagne-chamois-derby-county-reflect-on-horror-season/4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Premier_League5. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/mar/24/scotland.sport11
- Despite Southampton's struggle to secure points this season, managing just 12 points, they have successfully avoided the record for the lowest single-season points total in the Premier League, set by Derby County with 11 points in the 2007-08 season.
- The 2007-08 season was a hard-felt struggle for Derby County, who returned to the Premier League after a five-year absence, only to slump to a dismal 11 points, setting a record for the lowest single-season points total in the Premier League.
- Aston Villa and Sunderland have also had their share of low-point seasons, with 19 points each, but they could hardly match the record set by Derby County.
- In the European leagues and the Premier League, consistent performance is key to avoiding the unwanted record of having the lowest points total in a season.
- Fans interested in the latest soccer news can follow their favorite teams' progress on our website, which features comprehensive coverage of football news from across Europe.
- The lowest points total in the Premier League serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by teams as they compete against stronger opponents and the importance of striving for consistent performance throughout the season.
