Premier League season concludes with record assists and European qualification shifts

The 2026 Premier League season concluded on Sunday with a series of significant outcomes across the table, headlined by Manchester United’s 3-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium. The result, managed by Michael Carrick, served as the final fixture for the Red Devils, who saw club captain Bruno Fernandes establish a new single-season record for assists.

Fernandes provided the assist for Patrick Dorgu’s opening goal, bringing his total for the campaign to 21. This achievement set a new benchmark for creativity in the league. In the second half, Bryan Mbeumo returned the favour by assisting Fernandes to round off the scoring, securing a comprehensive win for the visitors.

A notable performance came from Ivorian winger Amad El Bilal, who recorded his first assist of the year by setting up Mbeumo’s goal. The 23-year-old maintained a 91 per cent pass completion rate, with 96 per cent of his passes in the opposition half finding their target. He also won all his tackles, made two interceptions, and recovered the ball on seven occasions, marking a return to form after a period of struggle since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations.

Elsewhere in the league, Sunderland achieved a historic feat by qualifying for the Europa League in their first season back in the top flight. The club secured their spot with a 2-1 victory over Chelsea, who finished 10th in the standings and missed out on European competition entirely. This outcome stood in stark contrast to Chelsea’s success 10 months prior, when they won the Club World Cup.

Brighton & Hove Albion secured the final European qualification spot, joining Sunderland and Bournemouth in next season’s continental competitions. The conclusion of the season highlighted a shift in European access for English clubs, with Sunderland’s promotion campaign culminating in immediate continental success.