Promotion to the Premier League is often painted as the ultimate prize in English football. It brings the chance to face the nation’s elite, host world-renowned clubs, and attract global superstars to modest grounds.
Beyond the romance, there are also enormous financial windfalls. Yet in recent seasons, that joy has been brutally short-lived.
For two consecutive campaigns, each of the three newly promoted clubs has been relegated immediately.
Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Southampton all went straight back down last season, following the same fate as Luton Town, Burnley and Sheffield United the year before.
What once felt like a step up in class has increasingly looked like a yawning chasm, prompting fears that the Premier League risks becoming a closed shop for outsiders.
This season, however, there are signs of change. Sunderland, Leeds United and Burnley have all registered victories within the first two rounds of fixtures.
Remarkably, it is the first time since 2016-17 that every promoted club has recorded a win so early, and the first time in Premier League history that all three newcomers have won their opening home game.
Burnley’s 2-1 triumph over Sunderland last weekend followed Sunderland’s win over West Ham at the Stadium of Light and Leeds’ victory against Everton at Elland Road. That sequence has already delivered a small slice of history, offering a much-needed morale boost for the three clubs.
The contrast with recent seasons is striking. Last term it took until the 11th round for Sheffield United, Ipswich and Southampton to record a victory. Norwich City suffered a similar fate in 2021-22.
Conversely, the last trio to survive—Fulham, Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth in 2022-23—each secured an early win within the opening three matches.
The hope now is that Sunderland, Leeds and Burnley can replicate that blueprint. Each has invested heavily to strengthen squads for the daunting step up.
Leeds have spent £93m on reinforcements, including AC Milan striker Noah Okafor for £18m. Sunderland have splashed around £107m on 11 players, while Burnley top the trio with 13 signings worth £109m.
Despite their promising home form, tough lessons have already arrived on the road. Burnley were beaten 3-0 by Tottenham, Leeds thrashed 5-0 at Arsenal, and Sunderland fell 2-0 at Turf Moor. These results underline the gulf that still exists.
For now, though, all three clubs have reason for cautious optimism. Early victories provide momentum and breathing space, but survival will be decided in the long grind to May—when 17th place will feel like glory.
