February 14 – Premier League matchday 24, and its delayed conclusion due to the postponed Merseyside Derby, scored a slam-dunk 98.74% average capacity as we move into the last few months of the season.
This marked the highest of any week since the beginning of the season and shows that attendances will continue to rise as the stakes do.
Arsenal fans once again stepped up for their 5-1 dismantling of Manchester City at the start of the month, with a record attendance of the season watching as Pep Guardiola’s disciple Mikel Arteta proved a point.
Nottingham Forest joined Arsenal in the elusive 99% club – a surprise following their 5-0 defeat at the hands of Bournemouth just days prior. The Trentside club, who have performed far and away above what many expected this season, responded in style with a 7-0 thrashing of Brighton in front of a delighted City Ground, remaining third in the Premier League.
Brentford, Manchester United and capacity kings Newcastle also scored over 99%, matching the season-best tally of five different clubs above the 99% threshold in a single matchday.
The highest overall attendance of the match day predictably came at Old Trafford, as 73,751 fans filled into the Theatre to watch a lifeless 0-2 loss to Crystal Palace. Despite the recent performances that have left a lot to be desired, the United faithful continue to pack out the stadium in the wake of Erik Ten Hag’s sacking in October, where the attendance hasn’t dropped below 99% since.
Interestingly, Goodison Park hosted twice across the matchday 24 period – one against relegation-threatened Leicester and the other against arch-rivals Liverpool – though the numbers show a better turnout against the Foxes. Even so, the atmosphere at Goodison for Wednesday’s Merseyside derby was electric – spawning red cards for Abdoulaye Doucoure, Curtis Jones and reds boss Arne Slot.
Match week 25 of the Premier League begins tonight as Brighton host Chelsea. Fittingly, there will be no love lost between the two sides this Valentine’s Day, with many of Chelsea’s lineup once a familiar face at the Amex stadium, including Moises Caicedo, Robert Sanchez and Marc Cucurella.
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Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1740245530labto1740245530ofdlr1740245530owedi1740245530sni@g1740245530niwe.1740245530yrrah1740245530