January 27 – Premier League attendance numbers took a sharp dip in Matchweek 23, with the overall average in the capacity tracker registering just 97.63%—one of the lowest marks of the season. The drop-off was particularly striking after last week’s record-setting highs, where five clubs surpassed the 99% threshold. This week, however, not a single club managed to hit that benchmark.
Manchester City’s attendance struggles remain a concern, although a slight improvement was noted following their commanding 6-0 away win over Ipswich the previous week. Back at the Etihad, Pep Guardiola’s side overcame an early hiccup – courtesy of a wayward back pass from new €40 million signing Abdukodir Khusanov who opened the game like a deer in headlights – to secure a 3-1 victory. The win propelled City to fourth place in the league, but the empty seats – all 2,000 of them – continue to draw attention.
Even Brighton & Hove Albion, usually a stalwart in the 99% club, suffered a rare downturn. The Seagulls, who have consistently drawn near-capacity crowds, brought in their lowest attendance of the season during a 0-1 loss to 16th-placed Everton. It seems the post-Christmas slump has finally taken its toll on the south coast faithful.
While most stadiums reported underwhelming figures, there was a standout exception at Anfield. League leaders Liverpool welcomed their largest-ever Premier League crowd for their 4-1 win over Ipswich, with 60,420 fans in attendance. The milestone comes as the club continues to expand their Anfield Road stand.
Fulham returned to their place at the foot of the attendance table by tallying the lowest %capacity of the matchday. Over 1,200 seats were left cold for their 1-0 loss to Manchester United – a performance that was only a marginal improvement on watching paint dry – which saw defender Lisandro Martinez add fire to his off-pitch feud with Fulham winger Adama Traore by netting late in the game to give his side three points.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1738109561labto1738109561ofdlr1738109561owedi1738109561sni@g1738109561niwe.1738109561yrrah1738109561