Tottenham Hotspur have one of the biggest games in their history this afternoon as the North Londoners face Everton.
Spurs head into the final fixture of the Premier League campaign with relegation a genuine threat. Roberto De Zerbi’s side are just two points above the drop zone, and will be relegated to the second tier if they lose to Everton, and West Ham beat Leeds United.
Spurs are one of only six ever-present teams of the Premier League era and must perform to avoid the league’s biggest-ever shock relegation.
A dismal campaign has Spurs on their third manager of the season, with De Zerbi drafted in to help turn fortunes around. Thomas Frank’s summer appointment was short-lived, before Igor Tudor’s tenure lasted just 44 days.
When were Tottenham Hotspur last relegated? Spurs aim to avoid repeat of 1977 slump
It’s been 49 years since Tottenham were last relegated to the second tier, with only Arsenal, Everton, Liverpool and Manchester United holding longer continuous top-flight status.
Tottenham’s most recent relegation was also a shock. Spurs finished bottom of the First Division during the 1976/77 campaign, having conceded a league-leading 72 goals.
The North London side had started the decade with silverware success, winning two League Cups and the 1972 UEFA Cup.
Spurs had finished 16 of the previous 17 seasons in the top half of the top division, including a ninth-place finish a year before relegation.
Their relegated side, under Keith Burkinshaw, contained club greats Steve Perryman, Pat Jennings, and a young Glenn Hoddle.
