12) Birmingham City, 2009-10, Ninth, 50 points. Birmingham were two places – but 13 points – off a Europa League place after returning to the Premier League with Alex McLeish at the helm. Getty
12) Birmingham City, 2009-10, Ninth, 50 points. Birmingham were two places – but 13 points – off a Europa League place after returning to the Premier League with Alex McLeish at the helm. Getty
10=) Manchester City, 2002-03, Ninth, 51 points. Amazing to think now that a ninth-placed finish represented an achievement for City. Kevin Keegan had taken over Joe Royle’s relegated side the previous season, brought them up as champions, and promptly signed the likes of Peter Schmeichel, Nicolas Anelka and Sylvain Distin to bolster their place in the top tier. Getty
10=) Manchester City, 2002-03, Ninth, 51 points. Amazing to think now that a ninth-placed finish represented an achievement for City. Kevin Keegan had taken over Joe Royle’s relegated side the previous season, brought them up as champions, and promptly signed the likes of Peter Schmeichel, Nicolas Anelka and Sylvain Distin to bolster their place in the top tier. Getty
10=) Middlesbrough, 1998-99, Ninth, 51 points. Ninth might seem unspectacular, when set against the feats of some of the other efforts in this list, but Middlesbrough were the only one of the promoted clubs this season to avoid going straight back down. Allsport
10=) Middlesbrough, 1998-99, Ninth, 51 points. Ninth might seem unspectacular, when set against the feats of some of the other efforts in this list, but Middlesbrough were the only one of the promoted clubs this season to avoid going straight back down. Allsport
9) Charlton Athletic, 2000-01, Ninth, 52 points. Alan Curbishley’s side had bounced straight back up after their relegation two seasons earlier, and acquitted themselves well on their return. Mid-table was a decent enough finish, and South African striker Shaun Bartlett volleyed the Premier League’s goal of the season. Allsport
9) Charlton Athletic, 2000-01, Ninth, 52 points. Alan Curbishley’s side had bounced straight back up after their relegation two seasons earlier, and acquitted themselves well on their return. Mid-table was a decent enough finish, and South African striker Shaun Bartlett volleyed the Premier League’s goal of the season. Allsport
8) West Ham United, 2005-06, Ninth, 55 points. The Hammers’ return to the Premier League was solid enough, but it was overshadowed by their run to the FA Cup final, where they were beaten on penalties by Liverpool after Steven Gerrard’s dramatic late equaliser. Getty
8) West Ham United, 2005-06, Ninth, 55 points. The Hammers’ return to the Premier League was solid enough, but it was overshadowed by their run to the FA Cup final, where they were beaten on penalties by Liverpool after Steven Gerrard’s dramatic late equaliser. Getty
7) Reading, 2006-07, Eighth, 55 points. Never before in their history had Reading played in the top flight of English football. They took to it straight away, finishing a creditable eighth under the stewardship of chairman John Madejski and manager Steve Coppell. Getty
7) Reading, 2006-07, Eighth, 55 points. Never before in their history had Reading played in the top flight of English football. They took to it straight away, finishing a creditable eighth under the stewardship of chairman John Madejski and manager Steve Coppell. Getty
6) Wolverhampton Wanderers, 2018-19, Seventh, 57 points. Nuno Espirito Santo gave Wolves supporters reason to believe when he guided them to the title in the Championship in his first season. He delivered in his second, too, overseeing a campaign that saw them finished seventh and reach the FA Cup semi-final. Getty
6) Wolverhampton Wanderers, 2018-19, Seventh, 57 points. Nuno Espirito Santo gave Wolves supporters reason to believe when he guided them to the title in the Championship in his first season. He delivered in his second, too, overseeing a campaign that saw them finished seventh and reach the FA Cup semi-final. Getty
5) Sunderland, 1999-2000, Seventh, 58 points. The Black Cats might have just missed out on a place in Europe, having been in contention all season. But at least striker Kevin Phillips got some continental recognition, as he won the European Golden Shoe after scoring 30 goals. Allsport
5) Sunderland, 1999-2000, Seventh, 58 points. The Black Cats might have just missed out on a place in Europe, having been in contention all season. But at least striker Kevin Phillips got some continental recognition, as he won the European Golden Shoe after scoring 30 goals. Allsport
4) Ipswich Town, 2000-01, Fifth, 66 points. George Burley was named manager of the year for guiding a side who had a limited budget, and been among the relegation favourites, to fifth in the table and a place in Europe. Theirs is the highest points total of a promoted side since the division was trimmed to 20 teams. Allsport
4) Ipswich Town, 2000-01, Fifth, 66 points. George Burley was named manager of the year for guiding a side who had a limited budget, and been among the relegation favourites, to fifth in the table and a place in Europe. Theirs is the highest points total of a promoted side since the division was trimmed to 20 teams. Allsport
3) Blackburn Rovers, 1992-93, Fourth, 71 points. Back in the top division for the first time in nearly 30 years, Blackburn just missed out on a place in the Uefa Cup. Two seasons later, they were champions. Shutterstock
3) Blackburn Rovers, 1992-93, Fourth, 71 points. Back in the top division for the first time in nearly 30 years, Blackburn just missed out on a place in the Uefa Cup. Two seasons later, they were champions. Shutterstock
1=) Nottingham Forest, 1994-95, Third, 77 points. Forest had been relegated at the end of the first Premier League season, two years earlier, marking the end of Brian Clough’s storied time at the club. They rebounded immediately under Frank Clark, and finished third upon their return. Quite a feat – although not even the best in their own club’s history after a promotion. Allsport
1=) Nottingham Forest, 1994-95, Third, 77 points. Forest had been relegated at the end of the first Premier League season, two years earlier, marking the end of Brian Clough’s storied time at the club. They rebounded immediately under Frank Clark, and finished third upon their return. Quite a feat – although not even the best in their own club’s history after a promotion. Allsport
1=) Newcastle United, 1993-94, Third, 77 points. After coming up as champions of the First Division, Kevin Keegan’s side, with Andy Cole and Peter Beardsley at the tip of a free-scoring attacking line up, were dubbed “The Entertainers”. Only Blackburn Rovers and champions Manchester United finished above them. Allsport
1=) Newcastle United, 1993-94, Third, 77 points. After coming up as champions of the First Division, Kevin Keegan’s side, with Andy Cole and Peter Beardsley at the tip of a free-scoring attacking line up, were dubbed “The Entertainers”. Only Blackburn Rovers and champions Manchester United finished above them. Allsport

Football

Ranked: The 12 best seasons after earning Premier League promotion - so how will Leeds United fare?

There have been so amazing success stories since the Premier League began

Paul Radley
Paul Radley
Dubai

July 19, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

Leeds United may have taken their time about returning to the Premier League, 16 years after they were relegated.

Read More

World Cup winner Andre Schurrle and others who retired early - in pictures

FA Cup and Premier League predictions: semi-final glory for Pep Guardiola and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, while Wolves enjoy Euro boost

But, having had promotion back to the big time confirmed this week, optimism abounds among their supporters that they could be set to become a force again.

Pep Guardiola has termed their manager, Marcelo Bielsa, the best coach in the world. A trip to Elland Road is rarely a jolly day out for opposition players. And the club have long been regarded as slumbering giants.

How much can realistically be expected of them? Sheffield United and Wolverhampton Wanderers have shown in recent years that pushing for European places can be within the compass of newly-elevated sides.

But which promoted teams have performed best since the advent of the Premier League?

The best are in the gallery above, in reverse order. To see the next, just swipe.

Election pledges on migration

CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections" 

SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom" 

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

 

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
More on this story
War and the virus
Read more about the coronavirus
Specs

Price, base: Dhs850,000
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 591bhp @ 7,500rpm
Torque: 760Nm @ 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 11.3L / 100km

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Abu Dhabi World Pro 2019 remaining schedule:

Wednesday April 24: Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, 11am-6pm

Thursday April 25:  Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, 11am-5pm

Friday April 26: Finals, 3-6pm

Saturday April 27: Awards ceremony, 4pm and 8pm

Herc's Adventures

Developer: Big Ape Productions
Publisher: LucasArts
Console: PlayStation 1 & 5, Sega Saturn
Rating: 4/5

On Women's Day
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
While you're here
The specs
 
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
WOMAN AND CHILD

Director: Saeed Roustaee

Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi

Rating: 4/5

Scorebox

Dubai Sports City Eagles 7 Bahrain 88

Eagles

Try: Penalty

Bahrain

Tries: Gibson 2, Morete 2, Bishop 2, Bell 2, Behan, Fameitau, Sanson, Roberts, Bennett, Radley

Cons: Radley 4, Whittingham 5

SportFootball