Your club’s worst day of 2016

In football, we savour the highs when they come – but it’s the lows which make them all the more enjoyable in a sense.

While every Premier League team had moments to treasure in 2016, there were plenty they would all rather forget too.

So which was your Premier League team’s lowest point of the last calendar year? Sky Sports takes a look…

Arsenal

March 2, 2-1 Swansea loss increases pressure on Wenger

Going into 2016, Arsenal were in a good position to push for their first Premier League title in 12 years – but by the start of March those hopes had faded.

Just two points from a possible nine against Liverpool, Stoke and Chelsea was far from an ideal start to the year but a last-gasp win over Leicester had renewed expectations this could be Arsenal’s year. 

However, when defeat at Manchester United was followed by a home loss to Swansea, the task of overhauling the high-flying Foxes, now six points ahead, seemed beyond the Gunners – and left some Arsenal fans calling for boss Arsene Wenger to go.

Wenger stayed on and completed 20 years at the club in October but his wait for a first Premier League since 2004 remains a major blot on his copybook.

Bournemouth

July 1, Matt Ritchie leaves for Newcastle 

Despite impressing in their first season in England’s top flight and finishing comfortably above the relegation zone, Bournemouth were delivered a harsh blow this summer when key midfielder Matt Ritchie opted to join Championship-bound Newcastle, who had finished five points behind the Cherries. 

The Scotland international had played in every game during their promotion campaign in 2014/15 and scored a goal-of-the-season contender against Sunderland as helped Bournemouth avoid an immediate return to the second tier.

However, the south coast club were unable to compete with Newcastle financially and had to let their man leave. “We weren’t happy to let him go,” said Eddie Howe. “But the reality is we just couldn’t compete with Newcastle’s finances and Matty expressed a desire to leave.”

Burnley

November 21, Humbled by West Brom

After beating Everton, holding Manchester United to a draw at Old Trafford and then seeing off Crystal Palace at home, Burnley travelled to West Brom for a Monday Night Football clash optimistic of building on their good run. Instead, they left the Hawthorns with their tail between their legs after a 4-0 defeat which saw the hosts equal their biggest-ever margin of victory in the Premier League. 

Matt Phillips, James Morrison and Darren Fletcher had the Baggies three to the good by half-time and Salomon Rondon rubbed salt into Burnley wounds after the break. 

“I broke my leg here at 17 and I have never had a result here,” said Clarets boss Sean Dyche after the match. “It’s one of the few grounds in the country where I have had nothing.”

Chelsea

May 15, Finishing 10th and missing Europe

Failing to win any of their last four games of 2015/16 saw Chelsea finish a lowly 10th in the Premier League, their worst finish in 20 years.

That coincided with them not qualifying for European football for the first time in two decades as well after 13 consecutive appearances in the Champions League.

Indeed, the defence of their title was the worst in Premier League history as they won just 12 times – although Leicester are threatening to be even poorer in the months ahead.

Crystal Palace

December 17, Two little ducks

But for a couple of weeks at the start of this season, Crystal Palace haven’t spent any other time in the Premier League’s relegation zone – yet you have to wonder how.

Going into their weekend game with Chelsea, there was talk of a 21st-minute walk out from fans in protest at their 21 defeats in 2016 so far.

That didn’t materialise but Diego Costa’s goal ensured a 22nd loss duly followed. With just six Premier League victories in the calendar year, this has been one for Palace to forget.

Everton

May 12, Martinez sacked by Toffees

Roberto Martinez led Everton to the semi-finals of both cup competitions last season but failure to go any further and their poor Premier League form saw him sacked by the club.

Pressure slowly mounted on him throughout last term, with fans ultimately displaying banners calling for his departure.

A run of just one win in 10 matches saw the Spanish dismissed after nearly three years at Goodison Park, with Everton’s end-of-season awards dinner cancelled too.

Hull City

July 22, Losing Steve Bruce

After the high of winning promotion via the play-offs, what followed was much less savoury for Hull fan, as …

continue reading in source www.skysports.com