Promoted and Staying Up? Burnley, Leeds & Sunderland Defying Odds

Promoted Clubs Flying – Could Burnley, Leeds & Sunderland All Survive?

With a combined 38 points between them after just nine games, Burnley, Leeds, and Sunderland are rewriting the Premier League narrative for newly promoted clubs.

All three earned crucial wins this weekend and now sit five (Burnley), six (Leeds), and 12 points (Sunderland) above the relegation zone. It’s the third-best total ever amassed by three promoted teams at this stage since the Premier League’s inception in 1992.

Sunderland: From Play-Off Final to Premier League Powerhouse

Sunderland have been the surprise package. Fresh from Championship play-off heartbreak in May, they now find themselves fourth in the Premier League table following a 2-1 win at Chelsea.

Their 17-point haul after nine games equals their best ever top-flight start, first achieved in 1999–2000 — a season in which they avoided relegation.

“It’s an unbelievable start and one that’s been well earned,” said ex-Watford captain Troy Deeney on Final Score.

“Nobody could have predicted this back in August,” added Michael Carrick.

Leeds: Fortress Elland Road Emerging

Reigning Championship winners Leeds now sit on 11 points after a 2-1 win over West Ham. History is on their side — no team with that many points at this stage has gone down since 2015.

Daniel Farke’s focus on turning Elland Road into a fortress is paying off:

• 2 wins

• 2 draws

• 1 loss at home

• 8 home points from five games

Their record is better at home than Chelsea, Crystal Palace, and even third-placed Tottenham.

“We’re tough to beat at home now, and that’s key to survival,” said Farke post-match.

Burnley: Back-to-Back Wins Show Resilience

After a dramatic 3-2 win over Wolves, Burnley climbed to 10 points, five clear of danger. It marked the Clarets’ first back-to-back Premier League victories since 2022.

Despite blowing a two-goal lead at Molineux, Lyle Foster’s 95th-minute winner secured a massive away win for Scott Parker’s side.

“We’ve been competitive all year. We’ve earned this,” said Parker.

Burnley have now won three games in nine — already over half of what they managed during the entirety of their last Premier League stint in 2023–24.

The Struggles Below

While the promoted sides thrive, others flounder:

• Wolves: Bottom with 2 points — no team has ever survived with such a return after nine games

• West Ham: On 4 points, enduring their worst top-flight start in 52 years

• Nottingham Forest: One point ahead, but haven’t scored in 440 minutes

Historical Context

Only four times in Premier League history have all three promoted sides stayed up:

1. 2001–02

2. 2011–12

3. 2017–18

4. 2020–21

Could 2025–26 be the fifth?

So far, the signs are promising. The trio look more organized, ambitious, and street-smart than many seasoned top-flight sides.

Final Word

With tactical discipline, strong home form, and a fearless approach, Sunderland, Leeds, and Burnley are turning the survival battle upside down. The question no longer seems to be if one of them can stay up — but can all three?