Running on empty? Premier League teams falter under weight of endless schedule | Jonathan Wilson

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There is nothing English football admires more than honest endeavour, which is perhaps a consequence of the league’s origins in the industrial cities of the north and Midlands. Which was why it seemed to cause such consternation when Alan Shearer mentioned on Match of the Day last Saturday that Chelsea have run less than their opponents in every Premier League game they have played this season.The accusation immediately was that Chelsea’s players are shirkers, that they don’t care enough, that they have neither the requisite passion nor pride.

Premier League sides, having looked rampant in the Champions League group phase in the autumn, look shattered in the knockout phase in the spring – which should give pause to those overoptimistic about England’s chances at this summer’s World Cup.Why should the Premier League be worse afflicted than elsewhere? That’s obvious: there is far more strength in depth in the league.

Only six games in the Premier League this season have been won by four or more goals; there is very little opportunity for sides to ease off late in matches.Compare Newcastle with Manchester United. Eddie Howe’s side look jaded, worn out by 10 Champions League fixtures and runs to the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup and the fifth round of the FA Cup, while Michael Carrick’s team are benefiting from an absence of European football and early exits from both cups.Maintaining freshness is a huge factor at this stage of the season.