Top 7 Unforgettable Underdog Stories in Premier League History

The Premier League is a global spectacle, often making headlines with its giants, showcasing trophy-winning dominance, controversial transfers, top goalscorers, assist makers and leading goalkeepers.

However, beneath these predictable victories of the well-known teams, there is a vibrant world of stories that surprise us, defy expectations and ignite the passion of fans everywhere. 

These are the inspiring tales of underdog teams that, despite tough odds, have made their mark in history through determination, clever tactics and unwavering faith. 

In this article, Pulse Sports takes you on a journey through seven unforgettable stories from the Premier League, from its start in 1992-93 to the 2024-25 season. 

In the exciting world of the Premier League, Nottingham Forest’s 2024-25 season truly shows how great management and teamwork can make a big difference. 

Forest ended seventh in the 2024-25 season, an achievement even more remarkable considering they had one of the lowest wage bills among teams that competed in the previous year's Premier League, highlighting a significant overperformance relative to their financial outlay.

Under Nuno Espirito Santo, Forest finished in seventh place, earning a ticket to the Conference League, thereby marking their first appearance in a European competition since the 1995-96 season, ending a 30-season wait. 

The Tricky Trees finished 10 places higher and collected 33 more points than the previous season, becoming the first Premier League club to double its points tally from one season to the next. 

The club recorded a number of truly impressive results, including significant away wins against traditional "big six" teams. 

They secured their first win at Anfield against the reigning champions Liverpool in 55 years and their first victory at Old Trafford against Manchester United in 30 years. 

Adding to their individual accolades, striker Chris Wood ended the season with 20 goals, becoming the first Forest player to achieve this feat in the top flight in 30 years.

The 2013-14 Premier League season saw Sunderland in a truly desperate situation. 

They were firmly rooted at the bottom of the table by Christmas, a position from which relegation is almost always considered an inevitability. 

For much of the campaign, the Black Cats appeared doomed, their form dire and their Premier League status hanging by a thread. 

They remained at the very foot of the table until late April, a testament to the depth of their predicament.

However, under the guidance of manager Gustavo Poyet, Sunderland orchestrated one of the most remarkable turnarounds in Premier League history. 

Their revival began with a crucial victory over Cardiff City, a result that finally lifted them out of the bottom three on April 27th. 

What followed was nothing short of miraculous: a run of four consecutive wins that secured their survival, including stunning away victories against two of the league's powerhouses, Chelsea and Manchester United. 

Despite their struggles for the majority of the season, Sunderland ultimately finished 14th, a comfortable five points clear of the relegation zone, rendering their final-day loss academic.

When Roy Hodgson took the reins at Fulham in December 2007, the club was in deep trouble. 

They had managed a mere two wins all year and faced the very real prospect of ending their seven-season stay in the Premier League. 

By early April, following a defeat to Sunderland, the situation looked even bleaker: Fulham found themselves six points from safety with an inferior goal difference compared to most of their relegation rivals.

Hodgson's initial impact was not immediate; his first win took over a month to secure, and it did not instantly transform the team's fortunes. 

However, the miraculous revival eventually took hold, beginning with a vital win over Reading. 

The defining moment of their campaign, which provided the crucial inspiration needed to stay up, occurred against Manchester City.

Fulham were 2-0 down with just 20 minutes remaining, seemingly on the brink of relegation, but staged an incredible comeback, sealed by Diomansy Kamara's superb double.

Tense wins against Birmingham and Portsmouth followed, with Danny Murphy's late winner at Fratton Park ensuring their survival by a mere three goals on goal difference over Reading.

Ipswich Town's journey to the Premier League was one of perseverance, finally winning promotion in 2000 after three successive play-off semi-final defeats, ending a five-season absence from the top flight. 

Upon their return, they were widely expected to go straight back down, a common fate for newly promoted sides.

However, Ipswich defied all predictions, establishing themselves firmly in the top six, a remarkable feat for a team of their stature. 

A key factor in their success was the prolific Marcus Stewart, who proved to be one of the division's best strikers, netting 19 goals and finishing as the Golden Boot runner-up. 

For a significant period, they were even on course to finish in the top three, which would have secured a coveted Champions League place. 

While a costly 2-1 defeat to Charlton in their third-to-last match ultimately saw them finish fifth, three points shy of third, their achievement was still extraordinary.

After winning the 1992-93 Division Two title, Newcastle United ended a four-year absence from the top division, bringing a wave of optimism to Tyneside. 

While their momentum was expected to continue, few anticipated the immediate and explosive impact they would have in the newly formed Premier League.

Under the charismatic leadership of Kevin Keegan, Newcastle's team, famously dubbed "The Entertainers," took the Premier League by storm. 

Their success was fuelled mainly by the prolific strike partnership of Golden Boot winner Andrew Cole, who scored an incredible 34 goals, and Peter Beardsley, who added 21. 

Their newly formed partnership accounted for a staggering 55 league goals, a clear illustration of how exceptional attacking prowess, particularly from a dynamic duo, can be the primary driver of an underdog's success. 

The Magpies finished an incredible third in the league, a remarkable achievement for a newly promoted side, bringing European football back to St James' Park for the first time since 1977-78. 

Newcastle's 1993-94 campaign remains the best from a newly-promoted side in Premier League history.

The 2004-05 Premier League season is etched in memory for West Bromwich Albion's original survival miracle story. 

Under the management of Bryan Robson, the Baggies had been rooted at the bottom of the league for much of the campaign, seemingly destined for an immediate return to the second division.

At one point, they were eight points adrift of safety, a seemingly insurmountable gap. Their form slowly began to improve after a crucial 2-0 victory against local rivals Birmingham City in early March. 

However, the true drama unfolded on the final day of the season, famously dubbed "Survival Sunday."

In an unprecedented scenario, all three relegation places were still unconfirmed, with West Brom, Norwich City, Crystal Palace and Southampton all facing the drop. 

Thus, a unique, league-wide dramatic tension, where the fate of one team was inextricably linked to the results of others ensued. 

West Brom secured their safety on that nail-biting final day with a win against Portsmouth, combined with favourable outcomes from the other crucial matches. They beat the drop by a point. 

The 2015-16 Premier League season is celebrated as one of football's most inspiring underdog stories.

Leicester City entered the campaign as massive 5000-1 outsiders to clinch the title, a number that perfectly captured the incredible improbability of their eventual victory. 

The previous season saw them struggling at the bottom for over four months, only to mount a late surge of seven wins in their last nine matches to secure survival.

Despite that impressive escape, no one could have guessed what was to come next. Under the cheerful yet sharp-minded leadership of Claudio Ranieri, Leicester seized a unique moment, combining their exceptional talent with the underperformance of traditional title contenders.

Their success was rooted in a strong defence, a dynamic counter-attacking game and outstanding performances from key stars like the prolific Jamie Vardy, the dazzling Riyad Mahrez and the tireless N'Golo Kante. 

They kept an incredible level of consistency throughout the season, rarely faltering despite the enormous pressure of leading the league. 

Leicester's 2015-16 triumph remains unmatched in modern football; a fairy tale that captured the hearts of fans worldwide and went beyond the sport itself.