Six things you might have missed from the final Saturday of the 2024-25 Premier League | OneFootball

Due to the FA Cup Final next Saturday, Gameweek 37 will be played on Friday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. And, of course, the final day of the season is always played on a Sunday.

There were five games on the final Saturday, with as many games on Sunday due to teams playing on Thursday. As a result, there was no early kick-off on Saturday, with just four 3pms and the evening game.

But that didn’t stop the action from flowing. Here’s what you might have missed from the day.

Simply the best

There hasn’t been a better goalscorer in Premier League history for Aston Villa than Ollie Watkins. That’s official.

The English striker has now scored 75 goals for Aston Villa in the Premier League, more than any other player. Watkins went into the game level alongside Gabby Agbonlahor, but he moved clear with his strike in the sixth minute of first-half injury time.

It was a typical striker’s finish, getting a light touch on a cross at the near post, getting himself just in front of the defender. It was also Watkins’ first shot of the game, with Aston Villa holding just 36% possession in the first half.

Watkins’ past four Premier League goals have opened the scoring for Aston Villa, with his past five all putting the Vilans ahead.

Derby left on their own

For a while it looked as though it wouldn’t happen. But with two games to spare, they’ve done it. Southampton have reached 12 points for the season!

It means they have moved one point clear of Derby County’s tally from 2007-08, the lowest in a single season in Premier League history. Three of those points have come within Southampton’s past seven games, with the latest against Manchester City.

Saints held Man City to a goalless draw at St Mary’s, despite facing 26 shots. Man City hit the target with just five of those, posting an Expected Goals total of 1.89. Southampton themselves had just two shots, neither of which hit the target.

It was the first time since November 2015 that Man City had failed to beat a side starting the day bottom of the table in the Premier League, ending a run of 29 such matches.

“It’s frustrating to play against a team like them. They don’t even try to play, just wasting time the whole game,” Man City centre-back Ruben Dias told reporters after the game.

“I don’t even feel like they want to play the game or win the game. They are just sitting around. We tried every way. We had chances but we didn’t score. It is what it is.”

The draw leaves Man City third, but means they could be overtaken by either Newcastle United or Chelsea — who face off on Sunday.

Welbeck reaches new heights

Danny Welbeck is in his 17th season as a Premier League player, with his fifth club in the competition. But for the first time ever, Welbeck has hit double digits for goals in a single Premier League campaign.

Welbeck had hit nine goals in two previous occasions in the Premier League, both for Manchester United, in 2011-12 and 2013-14. Since that last occasion, Welbeck hadn’t netted more than six goals in a single campaign. Of course, he’s had to battle with injuries and playing second fiddle.

But Welbeck has always been reliable. And finally, for Brighton and Hove Albion, he managed to get over the line. In opening the scoring against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, Welbeck also became the second Brighton player this season to hit double figures for goals. It’s the first team that’s happened for the club in the Premier League, with Joao Pedro currently on 11 goals.

Bryan Mbeumo does it again

What a fantastic season Bryan Mbeumo has been having this season. The Cameroonian international has always been reliable for Brentford in the Premier League, but he’s not had a campaign like this before.

Only four players have scored more goals in the Premier League than Mbeumo’s 18, while he has also provided seven assists. The seventh assist came in Brentford’s win over Ipswich Town on Saturday, from his only chance created in the game.

Mbeumo’s 25 goal involvements in the Premier League this season is only bettered by Alexander Isak (29) and Mo Salah (46). That’s fine company to be upon. It’s also the most by a Brentford player in a single Premier League campaign, moving one clear of Ivan Toney’s 24 in 2022-23.

History for Brentford

There was another moment of celebration for Brentford in their win over Ipswich. The Bees have won four consecutive Premier League games for the first time in their history. It’s also the first time they’ve achieved the feat in the top-flight since the 1938-39 season.

That the win came away from home too, is testament the change Brentford have experienced this season. Thomas Frank’s side seriously struggled on the road at the start of the campaign, failing to win any of their opening nine away games — taking two points in total.

But Brentford have won seven of their past nine on the road in the league, losing one and drawing one. The only stadiums they’ve failed to take three points from during that run are St James’ Park and the Emirates Stadium. And those are hard places to go.

The run has lifted Brentford up to eighth with two games to spare, and there is a chance that they could qualify for Europe/

A rare comeback for Everton

Everton continued their climb up the Premier League table with a come-from-behind win over Fulham at Craven Cottage. The hosts took the lead through Raul Jimenez, but Vitalii Mykolenko equalised just before half-time. Goals from Michael Keane and Beto in the second half secured the win for Everton.

And it was a rare occurrence. The Toffees have won 12 points from losing positions in the Premier League this season, with five of those coming away from home. Three of those points came at Craven Cottage.

In fact, it’s the first time Everton have won from 1-0 down to win a Premier League away game since October 2022, ending a run of 27 such games without victory.

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