We have taken a look at the Championship league leaders at Christmas from the last few years and listed their final positions.
Many teams have had the honour of being top of the table for the festive period, though we’ve seen several other teams failing to keep their number one position before slipping down the league.
Time to check out just who managed to be Championship league leaders at Christmas from the past 16 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 today and they sit rock bottom in the Premier League, taking just 2 points from 17 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 today and they sit 11th in the Premier League, taking 23 points from 17 games played.
Newcastle United @NUFC
Manager
Chris Hughton pic.twitter.com/xGwpMnM7NN— SUPERB FOOTY PICS (@SuperbFootyPics) November 14, 2021
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 today and they sit 7th in the Championship, taking 34 points from 22 games played.
10 years ago today QPR champions #QPR pic.twitter.com/c2JL8nW1Hr
— QPR News (@QprNews82) April 30, 2021
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 today and they sit 11th in the Championship, taking 31 points from 22 games played.
A very happy new year from Reading FC. 2012 was a great one #readingfc pic.twitter.com/S5uecEd2
— Reading FC (@ReadingFC) January 1, 2013
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 today and they sit top of the League One table, taking 41 points from 20 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 today and they sit 19th in the Premier League table, taking 11 points from 17 games played.
Congrats @BurnleyOfficial on getting promoted to the Premier League pic.twitter.com/c22ffG3sW5
— Oddschecker (@Oddschecker) May 2, 2016
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 today and they sit 15th in the Premier League table, taking 22 points from 17 games played.
CHAMPIONS: #afcb captain @TommyElph4 lifts the @SkyBetChamp trophy: http://t.co/3RBT7abmTh pic.twitter.com/RhaWrrUiXb
— AFC Bournemouth (@afcbournemouth) May 2, 2015
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 today and they sit 2nd in the Championship table, taking 42 points from 22 games played.
On this day in 2015… 🗓️
Middlesbrough picked up a big 3-0 win away at Brighton 🤩#Boro
pic.twitter.com/a8yUDJwMGj— The Second Tier (@secondtierpod) December 19, 2022
We continue our look at those who were top of the Championship table 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.
⚫️⚪️ @NUFC, Champions! ? #NUFC pic.twitter.com/s7KpHNh2r2
— Sky Bet (@SkyBet) May 7, 2017
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