Chelsea Football Club are one of the most successful teams in England over the last two decades. Having not had the same success before the 21st century, a lot of people don’t know whether Chelsea have ever been at the wrong end of the table.
Has Chelsea ever been relegated? Chelsea have never been relegated from the Premier League but were relegated from its predecessor First Division six times, with the most recent being in the 1987-88 season. They regained top flight status by winning the old Second Division the following year, 1988-89. They have remained in the top division ever since.
In terms of the Premier League, Chelsea are one of the teams to have been there from the very start. Chelsea have never been relegated from the Premier League, but they have been relegated in their history. Chelsea were relegated from Division 1 six times, but never being relegated from Division 2, now known as the Championship.
Chelsea were relegated in the 1909-10, 1923-24, 1961-62, 1974-75, 1978-79 and the 1987-88 season, with the 1987-88 season being the most recent time that Chelsea have been relegated. Since then Chelsea have remained in the top division of English football, playing in the Premier League in every season so far.
When was Chelsea last relegated?
The last tie Chelsea were relegated was the 1987-88 season. This was one of the last seasons of the old First Division before it became the Premier League. Chelsea went into the 1987-88 season after a massive drop from 6th to 14 in the prior season, hoping to turn this trend around.
The 1987-88 Division 1 Table showing the last time Chelsea lost top flight status
Chelsea went into the season with John Hollins in charge of the club, but with the side nearing relegation, he was sacked in March. As the season came to an end, Chelsea were involved in one of the closest relegation battles in history, with just one point separating 18th and 15th when the season ended.
Sadly for Chelsea, they could not escape the relegation zone and finished 18th despite finishing level on points with West Ham and Derby. The Blues’ terrible defensive record was what put them in that position. Chelsea actually had a very good attack that scored 50 goals in the season, but they had the second-worst defence in the league.
Chelsea were not immediately relegated, instead they qualified for the Second Division play-offs which would see them face a Division 2 side with the winner being in the First Division the next season.
In the semi-final of the playoff, Chelsea completely outclassed Blackburn Rovers, winning the tie 6-1 over two legs and they would face off against Middlesborough in the two-legged final after the Yorkshire team overcame a 2-1 deficit after their first leg.
In the final Middlesbrough had the perfect start at home, beating Chelsea 2-0 thanks to goals from Bernie Slaven and Trevor Senior. The second leg was a tight affair, with violence in the crows overshadowing the result. It was a terrible result for the home fans, with Chelsea’s 1-0 win not enough to secure First Division football, sending Chelsea down to the Second Division.
Have Chelsea ever been relegated from the Premier League?
Since the Premier League was created to begin the 1992-93 season, Chelsea have been a part of the league every year. Chelsea have never been relegated from the Premier League. It was around the same time as the Premier League was created that Chelsea began to have an upturn in form.
Thanks to some huge new investment, the club became a title contender towards the late 1990s and began winning Premier League titles in the 2000s. Chelsea have consistently been one of the best teams in the Premier League and have never been relegated from it.
The closest the team has ever gotten to being relegated was the 1993-94 season under Glenn Hoddle. Chelsea had some pretty dismal performances throughout the season, particularly in the league, despite reaching the FA Cup Final.
They ended the season in 14th which is still the lowest the club has ever finished in the Premier League. Chelsea finished nine points clear of Sheffield United who were the last team relegated and finished with a negative goal difference. This is the closest they have ever come to being relegated from the Premier League, having not finished outside the top half since the 1995-96 season where they were 11th.
How many seasons have Chelsea spent outside the top division?
In total Chelsea have been outside of the top division of English football in 19 seasons since the start of the 20th century. The club has rarely been outside of the top flight, most recently playing in Division 2 in the 1988-89 season, a year in which they finished top of the division and were promoted back to Division 1.
In their history, Chelsea have had some continuous spells in Division 2. The club were relegated from Division 1 at the end of the 1978-79 season and struggled to get promoted, despite finishing fourth in their first season back in Division 2. Chelsea even came close to being relegated to Division 3 when they finished 18th in 1982-83.
In that season they finished just two points above Rotherham United who were the last team relegated to Division 3. Chelsea were able to bounce back after that, going from almost being relegated to winning Division 2 the next season and securing promotion back to the top division of English football.
Who ended Chelsea’s unbeaten run?
In the mid-2000s Stamford Bridge was one of the hardest places for an opposing team to play. Chelsea managed to create an incredible record, going 86 games in the league without losing at home.
That unbeaten run was ended by Liverpool and more specifically Xavi Alonso. Alonso scored the winner as Liverpool won 1-0 at Stamford Bridge. It was a brilliant result for Liverpool as at the time it pushed them to the top of the table above Chelsea.
It was also the first time in four years that Chelsea had lost a Premier League game at home.
It was a record orchestrated by Jose Mourinho and his brilliant Chelsea defence but they could not make up for the attack missing chances and certainly could not stop Alonso’s strike.