Back on the last game day of the 2004/2005 Premier League season was one of the most hectic and topsy turvy days in Premier League history. The table looked a little something like this going into the final game.
Build up
Each team had its own set of circumstances to obtain the last safe position currently occupied by Norwich. West Brom, who had to rely on both Crystal Palace and Southampton dropping points and Norwich losing seemed to be the least likely candidate for another season in the top flight. However, of the four teams in question, they did have the “easiest” final opponent in Portsmouth who sat just six-point above Norwich in 16th.
Next up, the table is Crystal Palace, and with their match against Charlton Athletic, a win or a tie could give them a glimmer of hope. On top of that, Palace achieving just a draw at the Valley and seeing all other teams lose their matches would put them above the rest. In a very similar situation to the Eagles is Southampton. Sitting at the same amount of points and only ahead by one goal, a win or tie in their next game could send them to safety. However, of the four teams battling to stay up, the Saints by far had the hardest opponent to face on the final day with a strong Manchester United team.
The last of the four teams is the one team with the most straightforward task on the final day, which was not to drop points. Norwich winning their game against Fulham would guarantee them safety. However, a draw or a loss would put their future in the hands of the teams below them. Coming off a win over what some would say a more difficult Birmingham City side, which pushed them to safety a game against Fulham, would be close but manageable.
Kickoff
Norwich had yet to win an away game during the 04/05 season, so tensions ran high as the referee started the game. However, things went downhill very fast for Norwich as ten minutes into the match forward Brian McBride put one into the back of the net in front of a stand of traveling Norwich fans. From there, it only took 25 minutes for Fulham to score courtesy of a beautiful free-kick from Papa Douba Diop. 2-0 at halftime, we then go to St Mary’s Stadium, where things were looking up for the Saints. Also, in the 10th minute, United defender John O’Shea fumbled the ball into his net off of a Southampton corner. It only took nine minutes for United to equalize, and another one of our four teams lies in a sticky situation at halftime.
Next, we have Palace visiting Charlton at the time of their kickoff Southampton looked to be the team to go up despite their deadlock with Manchester United. As for Crystal Palace, things did not look good as Charlton’s Bryan Hughes put one in the back of the net in the 30th minute. Now we go to The Hawthorns where the underdog, West Brom take on Portsmouth. The Baggies needed a win even to have a hope of pulling into 17th, and after a difficult, even first half, it sat 0-0 at the break.
Second half
Back to Craven Cottage, where things were about to go from bad to worst for Norwich City as it only took nine minutes for Fulham to sink their third into the back of the net. Over at St Mary’s with news of the other fixtures coming threw the Saints fans were feeling good as it looked like their side would remain safe following the final whistle. However, it was all shortlived as Manchester United legend Ruud Van Nistelrooy but his team ahead in the 62nd minute. This goal scrambled things up a bit, and as Norwich conceded their fourth, fifth, and sixth goals, the other two teams still playing saw the light at the end of the tunnel.
At the Valley, Crystal Palace’s number nine Dougie Freeman game the London side a chance as a drastic defensive error gave him a clear opportunity to chip the keeper and send Palace into 17th place. With Southampton’s loss, they were all but relegated; however, there was still a chance for Norwich despite their humiliating defeat, should Charlton and Portsmouth pull back a win in the second half. This hope was crushed rather quickly as West Brom went 1-0 up in the 58th minute. The goal for the Baggies now sent them up to 17th with Crystal Palace, and Norwich tied on points close behind.
Going into the final minutes of their match, Crystal Palace would go on to score another goal putting them 2-1 up off of a penalty and put them into safety once again. From there, West Brom would secure their win with another goal; however, their season in the top flight the next year was out of their hands. This, for one final time, takes us back to Charlton v. Palace where with less than ten minutes remaining Charlton Athletic would score the goal to send the Eagles back down into the Championship.
Very little people would predict that the table looked the way it did following the final game day of the 04/05 Premier League season. As the dust settled West Brom, who sat at the bottom of the table for the better half of the season, won themselves another season in the top flight. Not many people talk about relegation battles; however, they can be some of the most intense and entertaining matches in all of world football.
If you want to get a more visual review of the final day of the relegation battle of the 04/05 BPL season, then I highly recommend this video.
video via Pizzagate official YouTube channel
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