Why do people believe the Premier League is less physical?
It's manifest nonsense.
The players in it are faster, stronger, mentally tougher and more alert. That's why they are in it, apart from a select few who have exceptional levels of ability.
True, they don't hoof it in the air the whole time but I can't think why anyone would expect Surman to do better against Jose Bosingwa than some nobody who plays for Blackpool.