BEVERLY HILLS, December 30, (THEWILL) – While most of the coverage over the Christmas period shone the light on the competition at the top of the English Premier League table and how it changed quickly within the tightly-packed schedule of games with Tottenham Hotspur beginning one week at the summit but ending it fifth on the log, the same was not given to the contention at the other end of the table where things have more or less stayed the same.
Enmeshed in the fight to remain in the Premiership are the four clubs currently logged at the bottom of the standings in the EPL 20-team table. They are Brighton, Fulham, West Bromwich Albion and Sheffield United and their cases differ one from the other.
Brighton
Tuesday’s fixture against Arsenal was for Brighton another disappointing game where opportunities to score came and went unutilised. This has left them very much in peril. They end the year as the first team ever to complete a calendar year in the Premier League while winning just once at home. Not the type of record they ought to be setting in their bid to remain competitive in the EPL.
The 1-0 result leaves Brighton stuck on 13 points and perilously close to the relegation zone as they are 17th on the table. It does not appear good news is ahead as they next face a Wolverhampton Wanderers side that are always a tough opponent to beat. Graham Potter’s men have performed better in some matches than they did against Arsenal but if they cannot convert chances they create, they will be digging their own graves.
Fulham
Fulham, who are away against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday are 18th and a point from safety. Victory will allow them ample space from the drop zone. In their previous tie they played a goalless draw against Southampton, their fourth draw in a row after a 2-0 loss to Manchester City.
Although Scott Parker’s charges cannot find victories, at least they are proving hard to beat. It is an encouraging, though less potent, alternative. They have spent the majority of the season in the relegation zone. Yet, defeating Leicester City and drawing against champions Liverpool have helped to keep their heads above the relegation waters. It should provide some pep as Parker prepares to face his former side Spurs.
West Bromwich Albion
The situation at West Bromwich Albion is dire. It might be harsh to write them off completely at this stage but based on the evidence of the season so far, they belong back in the Championship. In fact, the scale of the rescue mission facing new manager Sam Allardyce was starkly bare after he himself admitted he was stunned to see his side’s performance in their 5-0 defeat to Leeds United on Tuesday.
The 66-year-old cut a shocked figure on the touchline, looking furious as his side collapsed before his eyes. Their performance was a stark contrast with how they performed against Liverpool on Sunday where they frustrated the reigning champions 1-1 after packing men behind the ball.
It showed the gargantuan gulf in class between Leeds and West Brom who were both rivals only six months ago for the Championship title. It was nothing short of a chastening night for Allardyce with the memories of their brilliantly disciplined performance at Liverpool were dumped into Bielsa’s bucket as Leeds secured their biggest away win in the Premier League since April 2003.
Sheffield United
The club at rock bottom, Sheffield United lost as Burnley earned a precious 1-0 victory after a tight, nervy game on Tuesday. The result allowed Burnley climb up to 16th. Unfortunately, Sheffield remain winless in their 16 games this season. They have now equalled Queens Park Rangers’ record of 16 games for the longest winless start to a Premier League season.
Their cause was not helped by a statement prior to kick-off confirming a number of individuals at the club have tested positive for coronavirus and gone into self-isolation in line with Premier League and Government guidelines.
The Blades are also the only side in the Premier League yet to keep a clean sheet this term, having conceded 11 more goals than at the same stage of the 2019-20 campaign. How they will escape relegation this season is not possible to imagine.
