Southampton Relegated from Premier League Following Defeat to Tottenham

Southampton has been relegated from the Premier League, achieving the unwanted record of being the first team to be demoted with seven games remaining in the season, following a 3-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. The Saints have only accumulated 10 points from 31 matches, placing them on the brink of matching Derby County's record-low 11-point campaign in 2007-08. Their relegation ends a challenging season marked by ineffective management changes and poor squad performance, including the sacking of manager Russell Martin and the subsequent appointment of Ivan Juric, who also struggled to improve results. Despite early optimism after promotion through play-offs, the team has been unable to adapt to Premier League demands, leading to significant defensive shortcomings and a lack of goals. Southampton's relegation is the joint-fourth earliest by date in Premier League history, and the club now faces the task of rebuilding in the Championship. The team has the worst defensive record and goal-scoring rate in the league this season, highlighting the scale of their struggles.