John Terry’s goal against Watford on Monday night meant that the Chelsea defender has now scored in 17 consecutive seasons – but who else features in the all-time most consistent scorers in Premier League history?
Claude Puel made seven changes for the 2-1 win over Middlesbrough, and Ward-Prowse felt that performance was typical of everyone being ready when called upon.
Ward-Prowse said: “You look throughout our changing room and we’ve got a great group of lads. They’re all very professional and work hard.
“It shows that no matter what the team is that we can go out and get a result as well as the unity in the dressing room.
“Manchester United is a game that everybody looks forward to and relishes. We’ve got great motivation to finish the season strongly and get a bit of revenge after the EFL Cup final.
“It’s a very important game and one that we’ll be looking to win.”
Jose Mourinho has hinted at resting some of his squad ahead of the UEFA Europa League final against Ajax, but Ward-Prowse says Saints must be steeled what will be a stern challenge regardless.
“There’s a lot of talk about whether they’re prioritising their Europa League campaign but we can’t think about it,” Ward-Prowse added.
“We need to focus on ourselves and we know what we need to get out of the game and apply ourselves to get the right result.”
| Saints V Manchester United The Preview ! | Manchester United along with Spurs are just about the only teams that we have failed to beat at St Mary’s since our … 17-05-2017 |
Earlier this year we asked fans of some of England’s yo-yo clubs whether they prefer a season of struggle in the Premier League or one in which they get to enjoy winning more often - and maybe even challenge for promotion - in the Championship.
We had a mixed reaction, but these supporters had the luxury of being able to choose between two relatively acceptable scenarios: many others that suffer relegation from the top flight sink faster than lead.
Over the course of the Premier League era, relegated teams have had huge range of success in the lower leagues.
Many, including Nottingham Forest, Coventry City, Leeds and Derby County have yet to return, but the likes of West Brom, Sunderland, QPR, Southampton and, most successfully, Leicester and Manchester City, have found promotion easier to achieve. There has been no real pattern among relegated teams.
In more recent years, though, there has been more of theme that they have followed: one of either immediate success or none at all.
Sergio Agüero may have been the player to take the headlines over the years, but the affection with which Pablo Zabaleta was held among Manchester City fans was plain for all to see when he played his final home game against West Brom. But who are the other players across the Premier League that hold a special place in the hearts of supporters? Telegraph Sport investigates … sort of.