Everton ace James Tarkowski singled out after clinching Premier League record v Bournemouth
Everton have praised James Tarkowski after the defender became the only outfield player in the Premier League to play every minute this season.
The centre-back played the entire 90 minutes in the 1-0 victory over Bournemouth on Sunday (28 May) to complete the record.
Tarkowski was just one of four players to play every minute this season, with the other three – David de Gea, Aaron Ramsdale and David Raya – all goalkeepers, as per the official Premier League website.
“The only outfield player in the Premier League to play every minute of 2022/23,” the official Everton Instagram account posted.
“James Tarkowski. What a guy.”
Phenomenal achievement
It really is a phenomenal achievement, with Tarkowski joining the goalkeeping trio in playing all 3,420 minutes available this season.
The feat is already impressive given how he is the only outfield player on the list, but is made more impressive given how rapidly the matches came and went, particularly as the league needed to adapt to fit in the 2022 World Cup.
Of course, Everton’s worrying situation and constant issues both on and off the pitch made clinching such a record that extra bit challenging.
Tarkowski showed superb stamina and match fitness to continue operating at the highest level, with his hard work and dedication rewarded in the best possible way as the Toffees secured their Premier League safety on the final day of the season.
Of all the chaos at Goodison Park, Tarkowski was one of the few level-headed and stable figures, with his displays undoubtedly key to keeping the club in the top flight.