Portsmouth 2003-04

A Harry Redknapp-led Pompey dominated the 2002-03 Football League First Division, claiming the title as they gained promotion to England’s top division for the first time in 15 years.

Portsmouth managed a solid start to the 2003-04 Premier League season going undefeated in their first five games as former Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur striker Teddy Sheringham scored five in five.

Redknapp’s side recorded a first-round win over Aston Villa and Sherringham provided a hat-trick in a 4-0 win over Bolton Wanderers. Pompey even managed to pull out a draw against the Invincibles with a 1-1 draw with Arsenal.

It quickly went south for Portsmouth mid-season though as they found themselves in the relegation zone with consecutive defeats to Blackburn, Birmingham and Charlton. However, they rediscovered their early season form in the latter stages of the season as they lost just one in 10, finishing 13th in the process.

West Ham United 2005-06

The Hammers only just managed to scrape their way into the 2005-06 Premier League season, after finishing sixth in the previous year’s Championship and qualifying by winning the play-off final against Preston.

West Ham were subsequently tipped to be relegated but surprised many as they lost just one of their first seven fixtures. The Irons managed convincing wins against Blackburn Rovers and Aston Villa with their eventual top goal scorer Marlon Harewood netting a hat-trick against Villa.

By October they were in fourth place but a mid-season slump saw them fall down the table. Despite things not going their way in the league, the Hammers managed an impressive cup run in the FA Cup leading to a cup final against Liverpool only to suffer a heartbreaking loss on penalties.

West Ham eventually finished ninth in the league after wins against the likes of Arsenal saw them regain their early form and qualify for the first round of the 2006-07 UEFA Cup.