Southampton were relegated from the Premier League after a 3-1 defeat to Tottenham on Sunday, with seven matches still to play.
Brennan Johnson netted twice in the first half, and Mateus Fernandes’ late goal was nothing more than a consolation as bottom-placed Saints crashed back to the Championship.
The loss marked Southampton’s 25th defeat in 31 league games and made them the first team in Premier League history to be relegated with seven matches still to play.
Previously, Ipswich Town (1994-95) and Derby County (2007-08) held the record for earliest relegation, both going down with six games remaining.
Juric accepts drop
Southampton boss Ivan Juric, who replaced Russell Martin in December, admitted this week that the club’s only remaining goal is to avoid breaking Derby’s record-low 11-point total from the 2007-08 season. The Saints currently remain just shy of that figure.
“It’s a difficult day, a tough day, but I see the fans, how they love their players and their team. It’s something incredible,” Juric said post-match.
“This experience has to serve to create something stronger. Now it’s important to think about the next game and see everything else after.”
Juric praised his side’s improved second-half showing but acknowledged the damage had already been done.
From Wembley highs to relegation lows in under a year
Just 315 days ago, Southampton were celebrating promotion to the Premier League, having defeated Leeds United in the Championship play-off final at Wembley.
Under Russell Martin, the Saints thrived in the second tier with a high-risk, attacking style. However, that philosophy unravelled swiftly in the top flight.
A 5-0 thrashing by Spurs in December proved the final straw, leading to Martin’s dismissal with Southampton sitting bottom on just five points from 16 matches.
Juric, hired on an 18-month deal, was unable to halt the slide. With no wins in their last seven, the Saints’ Premier League stint ends in historic disappointment.
