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Championship league leaders at Christmas and their final positions

We have taken a look at the Championship league leaders at Christmas from the past 13 years and listed their final positions.

The 2021/22 season began in August was back to how it usually would after the last campaign saw it begin in September due to the coronavirus.

We can all hope that it can continue the how it should be for the current campaign, however, the rise in Covid cases during the festive period means some clubs are now having to play behind closed doors, and matches are being postponed, causing fear that all English clubs will suffer with no fans, players taken ill and see a stop start end to the second half of the season.

Many teams have had the honour of being top of the table for Christmas, though we’ve seen several other teams failing to keep their number 1 spot before slipping down the league.

Time to check out just who managed to be Championship league leaders at Christmas from the past 13 years and their final positions…

2008 – WOLVES

In the 2008/09 season, Wolverhampton Wanderers were top of the Championship at Christmas under manager Mick McCarthy.

They ended up finishing in 1st with 90 points and crowned champions for their third divisional title. Rivals Birmingham ended up finishing in second with 83 points.

Fast forward to the 2021/22 season and they sit 8th in the Premier League, taking 25 points from 18 games played.

 

2009 – NEWCASTLE UNITED

In the 2009/10 season, Chris Hughton guided his Newcastle United to the top spot in the Championship table at Christmas.

They also ended up finishing in 1st place with a total of 102 points and were crowned champions. West Brom were second with 91 points.

Fast forward to the 2021/22 season and they sit 19th in the Premier League, taking 10 points from 18 games played.

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2010 – QUEENS PARK RANGERS

In the 2010/11 season, Queens Park Rangers managed to climb to the top of the Championship table at Christmas with thanks to Neil Warnock.

They continued their impressive form to help them finish 1st with 88 points and crowned champions. Norwich were second with 84.

Fast forward to the 2021/22 season and they sit 5th in the Championship, taking 35 points from 21 games played.

 

2011 – SOUTHAMPTON

For the 2011/12 season, it was Southampton’s turn to sit top of the Championship at Christmas.

However Nigel Adkins’ slipped a place to finish up in 2nd with 88 points and were subsequently promoted. Reading was champions with 89 points.

Fast forward to the 2021/22 season and they sit 15th in the Premier League, taking 17 points from 17 games played.

 

2012 - CARDIFF CITY

In the 2012/13 season, Welsh outfit Cardiff City were top of the Championship at Christmas with Malky Mackay at the helm.

They finished in 1st place with 87 points and were crowned champions. Hull were second with 79 points.

Fast forward to the 2021/22 season and they sit 20th in the Championship table, taking 22 points from 22 games played.

 

2013 - BURNLEY

In the 2013/14 season, current Burnley boss Sean Dyche took the Clarets to the top of the Championship for Christmas.

They finished in 2nd place with a total of 93 points and were promoted. Leicester were champions with 102 points.

Fast forward to the 2021/22 season and they sit 18th in the Premier League table, taking 11 points from 15 games played.

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2014 - AFC BOURNEMOUTH

In the 2014/15 season, AFC Bournemouth were top of the Championship at Christmas, astounding considering years later the were on the brink of relegation from League Two.

They went on to finish 1st with 90 points and crowned champions under Eddie Howe. Watford were second with 89 points.

Fast forward to the 2021/22 season and they sit 2nd in the Championship table, taking 43 points from 23 games played.

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2015 - MIDDLESBROUGH

In the 2015/16 season, Middlesbrough were top of the Championship at Christmas with Aitor Karanka in charge.

They couldn't hold on to the position however and ended in 2nd with 89 points and were promoted. Burnley were champions with 93 points.

Fast forward to the 2021/22 season and they sit 9th in the Championship table, taking 33 points from 23 games played.

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We continue our look at those who were top at Christmas and their final league positions...

2016 - NEWCASTLE UNITED

In the 2016/17 season, Rafael Benítez stuck by Newcastle United and helped them to the top of the Championship at Christmas.

The Magpies then continued their fine form and finished 1st with 94 points and were crowned champions. Brighton were second with 93 points.

Players such as Dwight Gayle, Matt Ritchie, Ayoze Pérez, Jonjo Shelvey, Yoan Gouffran, Christian Atsu, Daryl Murphy and Aleksandar Mitrović helped take them up.

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2017 - WOLVES

In the 2017/18 season, Wolverhampton Wanderers were top of the Championship at Christmas under current boss Nuno Espírito Santo.

After bringing in some impressive signings as part of their project, they finished in 1st with 99 points and were crowned champions. Cardiff were second with 90 points.

Players such as Bonatini, Jota, Cavaleiro, Afobe, Neves, Douglas, Costa, Saiss and Doherty helped take the side back to the big time.

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2018 - LEEDS UNITED

In the 2018/19 season, Leeds United were top of the Championship at Christmas.

However as many fans will say, they simply bottled it, finishing in 3rd with 83 points and lost at the playoff semi final stage to Derby. Norwich were crowned champions with 94 points and Sheffield United got second with 89.

The Whites are currently 16th in the Premier League table, taking 16 points from 18 games played, can they avoid the drop with the club suffering a dreadful form of late?

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2019 - WEST BROM

In the 2019/20 season, West Brom were top of the Championship at Christmas with Slaven Bilic in charge.

They may not have ended up winning the league but they did finish 2nd Two points clear of 3rd place Brentford who lost their last two league fixtures though the Baggies couldn't win their last four games to make it an exciting finish. Leeds won the title 10 points clear.

West Brom currently sit 4th in the Championship table, taking 41 points from 23 games played. Can they win promotion back to the big time?

2020 - NORWICH CITY

The Canaries were Championship leaders for the 2020/21 season, and at the time sat five points clear of then-second place AFC Bournemouth and were seven clear of third place Swansea City.

Norwich held firm, and finished the campaign in first place, picking up 97 points from 46 games played, another promotion for Daniel Farke and his side.

However his time came to an end in 2021/22, Farke was axed in November 2021, with Dean Smith appointed after losing his job at Aston Villa the same month.

Fast forward to Christmas 2021/22 and they sit bottom of the Premier league table, taking 10 points from 17 games played.

The current Championship leaders for the 2021/22 season is Fulham, who are two points clear of second place AFC Bournemouth and three clear of third place Blackburn Rovers.

Do you think the Cottagers will seal promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt? Let us know your thoughts below and on our socials.

 

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