How Premier League teams have fared after losing their first four games

History offers some hope to Roy Hodgson and Crystal Palace

Roy Hodgson has been appointed as Crystal Palace manager looking to rescue them from a nightmare start to the season.

The Eagles lost all four of their Premier League games under Frank de Boer without scoring a goal , the first top-flight side since Preston in the 1924-25 season to suffer that fate.

Eight previous teams in the Premier League era have started with four defeats, though, and h ere Press Association Sport looks at what history says about Hodgson's chances of turning things around.

SOUTHAMPTON (2012-13)

Saints are Palace's next opponents and suffered their own horror start five years ago after winning promotion from the Championship under Nigel Adkins. They bounced back in their fifth game with a 4-1 home win over Aston Villa and Mauricio Pochettino, who replaced Adkins in January 2013, secured their top-flight status with a 14th-placed finish.

WEST HAM (2010-11)

The Hammers avoided entering this chart for a second time by beating Huddersfield on Monday night, having started with three straight defeats - albeit all away from home. Their poor start seven years ago contributed to them finishing bottom of the table, seven points adrift of safety.

PORTSMOUTH (2009-10)

A truly woeful campaign for Pompey began with seven straight defeats under Paul Hart and ended with the club finishing bottom with 19 points. Hart was sacked in November 2009.

SUNDERLAND (2005-06)

The Black Cats lost five in a row from the start of the season under Mick McCarthy in a campaign which saw them finish bottom of the league with just 15 points, the second-lowest Premier League total ever. McCarthy was sacked in March 2006 with the club 16 points adrift at the foot of the table.

MIDDLESBROUGH (2001-02)

Boro secured survival despite taking no points from the first 12 available under Steve McClaren. The future England manager led the Teessiders to a 12th-placed finish.

SOUTHAMPTON (1998-99)

A second appearance in the list for the south coast club, who this time lost five in a row, rounded off by a 4-0 loss at Newcastle. The club kept faith in Dave Jones and stayed up on this occasion as well, finishing 17th as the campaign ended with three straight wins.

ASTON VILLA (1997-98)

Brian Little's men had that sinking feeling 20 years ago but climbed all the way to seventh by May and won eight of their last 10 Premier League games - meaning half of the teams on the list have survived their horror starts.

SWINDON (1993-94)

The other four have finished rock-bottom though, including John Gorman's men who opened with four defeats and took until November 24 to register a first win, at the 16th attempt. The Wiltshire club finished 13 points adrift of safety after the 42-game season.