Are Tottenham too good to go down?
It is a question being asked with Spurs just four points above the bottom three and facing up to a relegation scrap after Sunday’s 4-1 defeat to Arsenal in the north London derby.
Igor Tudor remains confident they will avoid the drop but here are six cautionary tales from Premier League history.
Leicester 2022-23
Seven years after winning the title and two seasons after lifting the FA Cup. James Maddison, Jamie Vardy and Youri Tielemans could not save the Foxes. Spending big on the wage bill has hit hard and they are now in danger of relegation to League One after points deduction.
Newcastle 2008-09
A complete disaster of a season. Kevin Keegan, Chris Hughton (twice), Joe Kinnear and Alan Shearer all had spells in charge. Relegated by a point after winning one of last 13 matches. Mike Ashley immediately put club up for sale but then changed his mind.
West Ham 2002-03
Won six of their last 11 matches and finished on 42 points, but still somehow not enough. Squad included Paolo Di Canio, Joe Cole and Jermaine Defoe. Seventh the season before but this was a reminder no club is too good to go down.
Blackburn 1998-99
The first team to win the Premier League and be relegated, four years after title success. Began season playing in the UEFA Cup, but knocked out of that and Roy Hodgson was then sacked in November. Brian Kidd could not turn things around.
Middlesbrough 1996-97
Reached the final of the FA Cup and League Cup, losing both, but relegated even with Fabrizio Ravanelli and Juninho scoring 28 league goals between them. Would have finished 14th but for a controversial three-point deduction for postponing a fixture.
