Stats that show Premier League is getting more competitive

The Premier League has seen increased competition in recent years, with the gap between the top clubs and the lower-ranked teams narrowing. Last season, the gap between the top four and the bottom three teams was just 26 points, the smallest distance in 23 years. This competitiveness extended to the mid-table, with clubs like Aston Villa, Aston Villa, Bournemouth, and Sunderland finishing above their usual positions due to a smaller points requirement for Champions League qualification.

The bottom half of the league also finished with more points than they had in recent years, making it harder to judge their performance solely based on their position. While some suggest this is due to the improved performance of lower-ranked teams or the decline of top teams, it's difficult to determine a clear cause. The success of clubs like Brighton, Brentford, and Bournemouth, who have secured European spots, suggests that the improvement of lesser teams is a factor.

However, the promotion of Sunderland to the Premier League in their first season indicates that the league may not be as strong as it seems. Nonetheless, it's clear that the Premier League has become more competitive, with even the traditionally weaker teams achieving greater success.