THE SHARPE END: The good, the bad and the ugly! Everything you need to know about the Premier League final day, with division on track for record crowds and James Tarkowski the only outfield player to play every minute
- James Tarkowski is the only outfield player in the league to play every minute
- The Premier League is on course to exceed an average attendance of 40,000
- Eight Premier League clubs could now be competing in Europe next season
Nearly there, everyone. Just one more round of fixtures to go. Then we can all rest for 76 days before it all starts again.
For once, most of the drama is concluded. Manchester City are champions (again), the Champions League places are sorted and Brighton are in Europe. All that’s left to find out is who goes down and which lucky team will play in the Europa Conference League.
Here’s what else we’ve learned along the way…
Everton defender James Tarkowski is the only outfield player to play every minute in the league
Premier League on track for record crowds
For the first time ever, the average attendance in an English top-flight season is on course to exceed 40,000.
PS – the first PL season saw an average attendance of 21,125.
| Season | Average attendance |
|---|---|
| 2022-23 | 40,318 |
| 2021-22 | 39,989 |
| 1948-48 | 38,776 |
The average attendance in an English top-flight season is on course to exceed 40,000
Only one man to go the distance
Five players have not missed a minute of PL action this season but only one is an outfielder: Aaron Ramsdale, David Raya, Alisson, David De Gea and James Tarkowski.
How eight clubs can make it to Europe
Manchester City, Arsenal, Newcastle and Manchester United have secured their place in the top four and next season’s Champions League. Liverpool’s fifth-placed finish earns them a Europa League spot. The FA Cup winners get the second Europa League place but finalists City and United are already in the top-six, it transfers to sixth-placed Brighton.
If West Ham beat Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final they will also earn a place in the Europa League group stages next season. The Carabao Cup winners get the Europa Conference League place but as United are in the top six it transfers to seventh place in the table where Aston Villa, Tottenham or Brentford can all still finish.
West Ham could be one of eight Premier League clubs competing in Europe next season
Was Southampton’s fate sealed by shocking shot-stopper?
Southampton’s fate is already sealed. Perhaps that’s unsurprising when you consider young goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu let in 20 more goals than expected based on the shots on target he faced this season.
The same may well yet be said about Illan Meslier for Leeds and Danny Ward for Leicester. If Everton survive, the heroics of Jordan Pickford will have played a key part.
3 – Meslier has made three errors leading directly to goals this season, only Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris (4) have made more costly mistakes.
Southampton goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu let in 20 more goals than expected this season
But James put the miles in!
James Ward-Prowse has not stopped trying. He’s run the furthest of any player in the PL this season.
Ward-Prowse also ran furthest last season and was second behind Tomas Soucek in 2020-21.
Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse has run the furthest of any player in the division this term
Joelinton leads the bad boys
65 – Newcastle’s Joelinton has committed the most fouls (65) this season and been booked 12 times. Only Joao Palhinha has received more yellow cards (13).
2 – Man Utd midfielder Casemiro is the only player to be shown more than one red card.
0 – Emiliano Buendia is the dark arts master, though, committing 43 fouls over the season without picking up a single booking.
Newcastle United midfielder Joelinton has committed the most fouls this season with 65
