On the final day of the 2022/23 Premier League season, the relegation battle was absolutely white hot, with the trio of Everton, Leeds United, and Leicester City all in serious peril.
With Southampton already consigned to the drop, those three teams were jockeying for just one Premier League spot next season, with the other two set to drop down to the Championship.
Everton remained the most likely to stay up, according to FiveThirtyEight's predictions, holding just a 23 percent chance to go down – and that proved correct when the Toffees beat Bournemouth 1-0 on the final day.
Nothing less than a win would do for Leicester and Leeds. The Foxes did their part by beating West Ham 2-1 but were relegated because they needed Everton to drop points, while the Whites were thrashed 4-1 by Tottenham.
Premier League table 2023 standings
Leeds fell short with a chance to save their season the previous Sunday against West Ham, while Leicester also did so against Newcastle on Monday. That left Everton as the team in command going into the final day.
All three sides were at home on the last matchday of the season, just to add extra spice to the occasion.
Standings updated as of Sunday, May 28.
| Pos | Team | Points | Matches Played | Goals Scored | Goal Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17. | Everton | 36 | 38 | 34 | -23 |
| 18. | Leicester City | 34 | 38 | 51 | -17 |
| 19. | Leeds United | 31 | 38 | 48 | -30 |
| 20. | Southampton - R | 25 | 38 | 36 | -37 |
Everton relegation scenarios, permutations
Everton controlled the relegation battle on the final day of the season.
As the Foxes headed into their penultimate game against Newcastle, they had their destiny in their own hands – but dropping points in the 0-0 draw put the Toffees in command.
Everton knew they would save their season with a win, no matter other results – and they completed the job.
Everton would have avoided relegation if...
- They won vs. Bournemouth
- Drew vs. Bournemouth AND Leicester City failed to win vs. West Ham AND Leeds United failed to win vs. Tottenham
- Loss vs. Bournemouth AND Leicester City lost to West Ham AND Leeds United lost vs. Tottenham
Leicester City relegation scenarios, permutations
Leicester had a chance to save their own skin with wins in their final two games, with their superior goal difference making them practically uncatchable in that scenario. However, even a win in their final game was not enough.
There was a scenario in which their goal difference could have come to their aid, as it's possible all three sides in the mix could have finished level on points.
However, one thing was abundantly clear: the Foxes HAD to beat West Ham to have any chance of staying up. Failing to win would mean they fell short of Everton's tally regardless of other results.
One thing to note: the Leeds result would not have affected Leicester City. If the Foxes had won, they could not realistically have been caught by Leeds United. This was due to the significant goal-difference advantage, which was nine better than Leeds'. Leicester's win on the final day meant Leeds needed to beat Tottenham by at least 11 goals, which was very much not a realistic result.
Leicester City would have avoid edrelegation if...
- Win vs. West Ham AND Everton draw or loss vs. Bournemouth AND Leeds do not win vs. Tottenham by 11+ goals
Leeds United relegation scenarios, permutations
Leeds United were in the most perilous position of the three teams battling relegation – of that there was no doubt.
Sam Allardyce had a massive mountain to climb, and the scenarios were daunting.
They HAD to win against Tottenham to have any chance of survival on the final day. They also needed outside help, but it started with that – there were no other options. A draw would have left Leeds with 32 points, which was below the 33 points Everton already held.
Leeds United would have avoided relegation if...
- Won vs. Tottenham AND Everton lost vs. Bournemouth AND Leicester City failed to win vs. West Ham
- Won vs. Tottenham by 3+ goals AND Everton drew vs. Bournemouth AND Leicester City failed to win vs. West Ham
- Won vs. Tottenham by 11+ goals AND Everton failed to beat Bournemouth AND Leicester City won vs. West Ham
