EFL Championship 2013-14: A Season of Thrills and Spills
The 2013-14 EFL Championship season was a highly competitive and entertaining campaign, with several teams vying for promotion to the Premier League. The season saw Leicester City emerge as champions, earning a spot in the top flight of English football for the first time in a decade. In this article, we will take a look at the results, standings, and highlights from the 2013-14 EFL Championship season.
The season began on August 3, 2013, and concluded on May 3, 2014. A total of 24 teams competed in the league, with each team playing 46 matches. The top two teams in the standings earned automatic promotion to the Premier League, while the teams that finished between third and sixth place competed in the playoffs for the final promotion spot.
Final Standings
The final standings for the 2013-14 EFL Championship season were as follows:
- Leicester City - 102 points
- Burnley - 93 points
- Derby County - 85 points
- Queens Park Rangers - 80 points
- Wigan Athletic - 73 points
Leicester City dominated the season, losing just six matches and earning 102 points from their 46 games. Burnley finished in second place, earning automatic promotion to the Premier League alongside Leicester City.
Playoffs
The playoffs for the 2013-14 EFL Championship season featured Derby County, Queens Park Rangers, Wigan Athletic, and Brighton & Hove Albion. The semifinals saw Derby County face Brighton & Hove Albion, while Queens Park Rangers took on Wigan Athletic. Derby County and Queens Park Rangers emerged victorious from their respective semifinal ties, setting up a playoff final between the two teams.
The playoff final was played at Wembley Stadium on May 24, 2014, with Queens Park Rangers emerging as 1-0 winners. A goal from Bobby Zamora in the 90th minute sealed the win for Queens Park Rangers, earning them a spot in the Premier League for the 2014-15 season.
Highlights
The 2013-14 EFL Championship season was marked by several notable highlights. One of the most impressive performances came from Leicester City's Jamie Vardy, who scored 16 goals in 37 appearances for the Foxes. Vardy's form was a key factor in Leicester City's championship-winning campaign.
Another noteworthy performance came from Burnley's Danny Ings, who scored 22 goals in 45 appearances for the Clarets. Ings' goals helped Burnley earn automatic promotion to the Premier League, and he went on to have a successful career in the top flight.
The season also saw several high-scoring matches, including a 6-0 win for Leicester City over Sheffield Wednesday and a 5-2 win for Derby County over Blackpool. These matches showcased the attacking talent and entertainment value of the EFL Championship.
Conclusion
The 2013-14 EFL Championship season was a thrilling and competitive campaign, with several teams vying for promotion to the Premier League. Leicester City's championship win was a testament to their consistency and quality, while Burnley's automatic promotion was a reward for their hard work and determination. The playoffs provided a dramatic conclusion to the season, with Queens Park Rangers ultimately earning a spot in the Premier League. The 2013-14 EFL Championship season will be remembered as one of the most exciting and unpredictable in recent history.
