Southampton top Premier League after win over Newcastle - How long since your club was top?

Southampton's victory ensured Ralph Hasenhuttl's side lead England's top tier for the first time in 32 years

Monday 9 November 2020 13:29, UK

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Southampton lead England's top division for the first time in 32 years after beating Newcastle on Friday - but which current Premier League club has waited the longest to top the table?

Before Friday, the Saints last reached the summit of England's top division in 1988, the same year Alan Shearer made his debut for the south-coast side. But what is the longest wait for current top-flight clubs?

Here, we count down each club's waiting time in reverse order...

*Dates reflect when each club last finished a day top of the top-flight

20. Southampton (0 days)

Stuart Armstrong sealed the win to put Southampton top of the league
Image: Stuart Armstrong sealed the win to put Southampton top of the league

19. Liverpool (one day)

Last topped table: Thursday, 5 November 2020

LIVERPOOL
Image: Reigning champions Liverpool are the only team without some form of wait, sitting top of the league on Friday

18. Everton (seven days)

Last topped table: Friday, 30 October 2020

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EVERTON
Image: Merseyside rivals Everton commanded the summit until seven days ago

17. Leicester City (35 days)

Last topped table: Friday, 2 October 2020

LEICESTER during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Leicester City at Etihad Stadium on September 27, 2020 in Manchester, United Kingdom. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Image: It has been barely a month since Leicester held top spot and four years since their against-the-odds title-winning season

16. Arsenal (49 days)

Last topped table: Friday, 18 September 2020

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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrates scoring Arsenal's third goal
Image: Arsenal are the only other team to have topped the Premier League this season

15. Man City (one year, two months, 21 days)

Last topped table: Friday, 16 August 2019

MAN CITY
Image: Would you believe it? It has been over a year since Manchester City hit league-topping heights

14. Chelsea (two years, one month, 16 days)

Last topped table: Friday, 21 September 2018

CHELSEA
Image: Chelsea last topped the table more than two years ago, during Maurizio Sarri's first months in charge

13. Man Utd (two years, two months, 27 days)

Last topped table: Friday, 10 August 2018

MAN UTD during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Leicester City at Old Trafford on August 10, 2018 in Manchester, United Kingdom.
Image: Luke Shaw was among the goals as Manchester United beat Leicester on the opening day to top the table back in August 2018 - they have not reclaimed that standing since

12. Tottenham (six years, two months, eight days)

Last topped table: Friday, 29 August 2014

TOTTENHAM
Image: There is a considerable jump in waiting time at this stage of the rankings, with Spurs last achieving top spot more than six years ago

11. Fulham (eight years, two months, 16 days)

Last topped table: Tuesday, 21 August 2012

FULHAM
Image: Steve Sidwell helped Fulham last reach the Premier League summit back in 2012

10. Aston Villa (nine years, two months, 17 days)

Last topped table: Saturday, 20 August 2011

Aston Villa of Blackburn during the Barclays Premier League match between Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers at Villa Park on August 20, 2011 in Birmingham, England.
Image: It is approaching a decade since Aston Villa last topped the table

9. Newcastle (13 years, two months, 24 days)

Last topped table: Monday, 13 August 2007

NEWCASTLE
Image: Obafemi Martins scored a spectacular goal for Newcatsle in a 3-1 opening-day win at Bolton - who knew a 13-year hiatus from top spot would ensue?

8. West Ham (14 years, two months, 15 days)

Last topped table: Tuesday, 22 August 2006

WEST HAM
Image: Bobby Zamora was firing for West Ham when they last topped the division more than 14 years ago

7. Leeds United (18 years, two months, 11 days)

Last topped table: Monday, 26 August 2002

LEEDS
Image: Leeds returned to the top flight after 16 years in the lower tiers this season - but it has been more than 18 years since they last held the summit

6. Crystal Palace (41 years, one month, one day)

Last topped table: Friday, 5 October 1979

CRYSTAL PALACE
Image: Really? 1979? Yes, Palace have been waiting more than 41 years to top the table. Here, Peter Nicholas (left) takes on Villa's Gordon Cowans, just 21 days before Palace were knocked off top spot... and they haven't returned yet

5. West Brom (41 years, nine months, four days)

Last topped table: Friday, 2 February 1979

WEST BROM
Image: Ron Atkinson commanded the West Brom dugout when the Baggies last topped the table

4. Burnley (47 years, two months, six days)

Last topped table: Friday, 31 August 1973

BURNLEY - circa 1973: A line up of the Burnley Football team from left to right: Back Row : Nulty, Ingram, Collins, Nodle Centre : Newton, Thompson, Stevenson, Waldron, Hawkin Front : Docherty, Flethcher, Dobson, Casper, and Leyton James
Image: Circa 1973: A line-up of the Burnley team from left to right. Back Row: Nulty, Ingram, Collins, Noble. Centre: Newton, Thompson, Stevenson, Waldron, Hankin. Front : Docherty, Fletcher, Dobson, Casper, James

3. Sheffield Utd (49 years, 29 days)

Last topped table: Friday, 8 October 1971

SHEFF UTD - Tony Currie
Image: Tony Currie was banging in the goals for Sheffield United when they last topped the league back in 1971

2. Wolves (58 years, one month, one day)

Last topped table: Friday, 5 October 1962

WOLVES - Frank Wignall
Image: Frank Wignall playing for Wolves in 1962

1. Brighton (still waiting)

Last topped table: Never

BRIGHTON
Image: And so the wait continues for Brighton...
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