How did Leicester City get promoted back to the English Premier League in their first attempt?

After a one-year absence, Leicester City secured automatic promotion to the Premier League for the 2024/25 season. Enzo Maresca's side's spot in next season's top tier was confirmed on Friday night, following Leeds United's 4-0 defeat by Queens Park Rangers. It is a first-time return to the Premier League for Leicester, having been relegated in 2022/23.

They have earned a promotion to the Premier League five times, a joint record with Norwich City and West Bromwich Albion. The 2024/25 season will be the Foxes' 18th in the Premier League. Leeds were also relegated with Leicester last season. They now have to hope that Ipswich Town slip up in the fight for the second automatic promotion place. Southampton also have the opportunity to seal an immediate return but it will be hard. 

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How Leicester City promoted back to the English Premier League in their first attempt?

Straight back up, Leicester City! 🦊 pic.twitter.com/j89S1qiuqB

— Leicester City (@LCFC) April 26, 2024

The Foxes won the Premier League in the 2015/16 season but couldn't replicate that afterwards. They were relegated under Dean Smith on the final day of the 2022/23 season, bringing their nine-season spell in the top flight to an end. James Maddison, Harvey Barnes, and Youri Tielemans, all left the club after Leicester's relegation. However, Leeds' promotion took a hit when they were beaten by QPR at Loftus Road on Friday night. It took Leicester over the line and now are set to play the Premier League 2024-25 season.

Leicester City started their season in the EFL Championship in the most dominant way possible, winning 12 of their first 13 games after relegation from the Premier League. It seemed like they would easily get promoted to the top tier without any issues. The Foxes signed former England internationals Conor Coady and Harry Winks which is decent for a Championship club. Abdul Fatawu had a sensational season, contributing 12 assists in the league. He also scored a hat-trick against Southampton in the previous game.

Abdul's ball ⚽ 😃 pic.twitter.com/4HCzYuJHzM

— Leicester City (@LCFC) April 24, 2024

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall had been the star of the team, leading the side to many victories. He has also contributed with 14 assists this season. Jamie Vardy played the role of a captain by chipping in with 16 league goals, despite getting fewer minutes and a knee injury that had forced him out of eight games.

After the FA Cup third round, when Coventry came from 1-0 down to beat Leicester 3-1, it seemed like Leicester would falter from here but kept pushing front. They won four straight games and proved that those two-three games were just a bump in the road. 

Leicester (94 points in 44 games) are now sitting at the top, 4 points clear of Leeds United with 2 games in hand. "It's a fantastic moment for the Club and one we should celebrate, but we still have work to do," Enzo Maresca said.

"It's a fantastic moment for the Club and one we should celebrate, but we still have work to do." - Enzo 💬 pic.twitter.com/RgqxF8LMWD

— Leicester City (@LCFC) April 27, 2024

Ipswich Town could capitalize on Leeds’ disappointment, with Kieran McKenna’s side just a point behind Leeds, with three games in hand. Ipswich's victory against Hull City on Saturday won’t guarantee their historic return to the Premier League after 22 years, but another win at Coventry City would surely take them up. It will be another sensational story if this happens.