“Five candidates for relegation surprise big clubs in difficulty.”

After an impressive 2-1 victory for Wolverhampton over Liverpool, attention turns to the moments when relegation-threatened clubs have managed to destabilize football giants. The Wolves’ triumph is not an isolated case, and history is filled with surprises when teams at the bottom of the table rise up against the colossi. Here are five memorable occasions when relegation candidates ruined the ambitions of major clubs.

**Ferguson’s Prestige at Risk**

In the 2011/12 season, Manchester United was on track for their 20th Premier League title, holding a comfortable eight-point lead over rivals Manchester City. After a disastrous start to the season, which included a 3-0 defeat against Newcastle, the Red Devils bounced back with an impressive run of 12 unbeaten matches, 11 of which were victories. However, in their clash against Wigan, who were battling to avoid relegation, the story took an unexpected turn. The United started the game carelessly, and even Wayne Rooney’s substitution was not enough to change the course of events. Sean Maloney scored in the 50th minute, and United, unable to respond, finished the match with just one shot on target. This defeat not only marked the beginning of Wigan’s recovery but also came at a high cost for United, who saw City close the gap in the title race.

**The Fall of the Mourinho Myth**

In 2014, José Mourinho had an impressive record of 78 home games unbeaten in the Premier League with Chelsea. When Sunderland, fighting for survival, visited Stamford Bridge, few would have bet on them breaking this streak. Chelsea started strong, with Samuel Eto’o scoring in the 12th minute, but Sunderland quickly responded with a goal from Conor Wickham. Despite overwhelming pressure and 31 shots during the game, frustration mounted when a controversial penalty awarded to Sunderland resulted in a goal from Fabio Borini. Chelsea lost the chance to close the gap at the top, and by the end of the season, they finished four points off the title.

**Newcastle’s Surprise Over Tottenham**

The 2015/16 season seemed like a fairy tale for Tottenham, who were competing for the title against Leicester. However, during their visit to Newcastle, who were battling relegation, the Spurs were dramatically surprised. Newcastle, already condemned to relegation, achieved an impressive 5-1 victory, even with a red card for Aleksandar Mitrovic. This defeat not only complicated matters for Tottenham but also saw them finish the season in third place, behind Arsenal.

**Norwich Shocks the City Giants**

In a season where Manchester City was the reigning champion and remained unbeaten since January, Norwich, who had just been promoted from the Championship, appeared to be an easy target. With eight starters missing, the odds were against them, but Norwich surprised everyone by scoring two goals in 30 minutes. A goal from Aguero before halftime seemed promising, but Teemu Pukki, with a brilliant performance, restored the Canaries’ lead. Despite a late goal from Rodri, City could not prevent a defeat that would become one of Norwich’s few victories that season.

**West Brom Humiliates Chelsea in Grand Style**

Finally, in the context of post-Covid football, few could believe that West Brom would dispatch Chelsea with a stunning 5-2 scoreline. After a promising start from the Blues, a red card for Thiago Silva completely changed the game. West Brom seized the opportunity, scoring two goals in stoppage time in the first half. Chelsea’s attempt at recovery was thwarted, and the humiliation culminated with another goal from West Brom in the final minute. This match left Thomas Tuchel and Chelsea fans in shock.

These moments are not just memories of a distant past, but rather proof that, in football, anything can happen. The teams at the bottom of the table have the potential to wreak havoc on the ambitions of giants, reminding us that the game is as unpredictable as it is thrilling.