In the age of constant hyperbole, you don’t want to use absolutes too frequently – but are Norwich in the discussion to be the worst team ever in the Premier League?
The Canaries’ nightmare return to the top flight continued Sunday, losing 2-1 at home to Leeds United, with goals to Raphinha and Rodrigo either side of Andrew Omobamidele’s header for the home side.
Through ten games, they are now the second-worst team ever in terms of points scored, with two draws and eight losses so far in this campaign.
Sheffield United, who were relegated last year, managed just one point from their first ten games in the 2020-21 season.
But where the Blades were unlucky on occaision, there can’t really be any excuses made for Norwich.
READ MORE: India on brink of World Cup elimination
READ MORE: Disgruntled F1 giant voices massive claim
Of the 36 teams to have secured five points or fewer by this stage of a Premier League season, Norwich’s goal difference of -22 ranks dead last. For context, in that horrible Sheffield United run, they were only -12 across ten games.
While a 7-0 hammering at the hands of Chelsea last week certainly didn’t help matters, it’s their attack rather than their defence that has been particularly poor.
No team has scored fewer goals than Norwich’s three through the first ten games of a season.
If Norwich do go down, it will be the sixth time they’ve been relegated from the top flight since the Premier League was established in 1992. They currently share that record with West Bromwich Albion at five apiece.
Currently, the record for fewest points over an entire 38-game season is Derby County in 2007-08, who were relegated with 11 points – winning once and drawing eight times.
After a dire opening two months, Norwich fans would have been eyeing an injury-riddled Leeds as the perfect opportunity to secure a much-needed win.
READ MORE: NFL star walks away from the sport
READ MORE: Stunning finish to UFC title fight
After a turgid first half, Raphinha’s brilliant solo effort broke the deadlock before Omobamidele’s equaliser.
Perhaps today would be the day everything changed, but instead Spanish international Rodrigo’s long-range effort slipped through Tim Krul’s grasp, before Marcelo Bielsa’s men comfortably saw out the remaining half hour of the match.
The only negative for the Leeds manager came when Raphinha clattered into his manager after trying to keep the ball in play – but all in all, a successful afternoon.
https://twitter.com/BlueToffee11/status/1454833730154082304
Norwich will play fellow promoted side Brentford next weekend.
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!