As we take a breather from the English Premier League to accommodate the international program, Gary Lemke offers a catch-up on the Premier League situation.
LEADING THE STATS
In doing a dive into the stats across all of Europe’s seven top domestic leagues, we’re sharing some of the most interesting ones. Who has the most goals this season? It’s not who you might think. Vfb Stuttgart’s Serhou Guirassy has 13 from seven games in the Bundesliga. Most goalkeeping clean sheets across Europe is PSV Eindhoven’s Walter Benitez, with six. Where the EPL players feature is in most saves: Wes Fotheringham (Sheffield United, 45); most touches in the opposition box – Raheem Sterling (Chelsea, 82); and most big chances created: Mo Salah (Liverpool, nine).
Serhou Guirassy is the hottest striker in Europe right now 🔥 pic.twitter.com/cCsd60NsZ2
— GOAL (@goal) October 10, 2023
A CASE FOR THE DEFENCE
There’s a strong case to suggest that the most effective defender in the English Premier League this season has been Arsenal’s William Saliba. In eight League games so far, he hasn’t been dribbled past even once, while he has only committed two fouls in those matches. In fact, only one other defender has a similar record – appearing in all eight games, committed two or fewer fouls and been dribbled past two or fewer times. That player is Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven.
First Spurs goal for Micky van de Ven ✅😤 pic.twitter.com/9l7664B7QJ
— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 7, 2023
JOHNSTONE BREAKING NEW GROUND
When the EPL resumes, the law of averages says that Crystal Palace goalkeeper Sam Johnstone is going to concede a goal. He has more clean sheets (4) than any other keeper this season, and it’s the first time in his career he’s achieved three in a row. While a number of clubs kept the opposition scoreless for three games last season, only two managed to make it four or more successive clean sheets – Newcastle and Liverpool. So, Johnstone and his Crystal Palace team would be doing something special. They are away to Newcastle next.
Sam Johnstone has now kept more clean sheets than any other goalkeeper in the Premier League this season (4).
— Squawka (@Squawka) October 7, 2023
And he's kept three consecutive clean sheets in the Premier League for the very first time in his career. 🧤 pic.twitter.com/0kWq8EQqWL
HODGSON JOINS EXCLUSIVE CLUB
While on the subject of Crystal Palace, last week their boss Roy Hodgson joined an elite club of managers to have been in charge of 400 games in the English Premier League. The 76-year-old is still going strong and has managed 22 different teams in eight countries, while also being manager of Switzerland and England. Only seven other managers have 400 EPL matches behind them – Arsene Wenger (828), Sir Alex Ferguson (816), David Moyes (667), Harry Redknapp (641), Sam Allardyce (541), Steve Bruce (476) and Mark Hughes (466).
Roy Hodgson joins a special list of managers in the Premier League. 🌟 pic.twitter.com/cZ338PZhjA
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) October 7, 2023
MAN UNITED ROLL BACK THE YEARS
They used to refer it to “Fergie Time”, and you all know what we mean. During Sir Alex Ferguson’s tenure as Manchester United manager from 1992 to 2013, his team scored 5% of their goals after 90 minutes, a total of 81 goals. =And when United won the 1999 Champions League, they were trailing Bayern Munich 1-0 after 90 minutes. Teddy Sheringham (91st) and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (93rd) secured a famous late victory. Last week they rekindled those memories. They were losing 1-0 to Burnley at Old Trafford after 92min 46sec, but came back to win 2-1. This is the latest they’ve ever come from behind to win a League match
87’: Comes on with Man United 1-0 down 👀
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) October 7, 2023
90+3’: Scores the equaliser ⚽️
90+7’: Scores the winner ⚽️
Cometh the hour, cometh Scott McTominay 🤯👏 pic.twitter.com/h691CSriuo
THAT SINKING FEELING
It’s relatively early days in the EPL, as we’re 21% through the season, but the signs aren’t looking good for the bottom two clubs – Sheffield United and Bournemouth. Both are yet to win a match in the League this season. being two of only four clubs in all England’s top four divisions to be in that situation. The other two are Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship and Cheltenham in League One. They’ve played 11 and 12 games respectively, leaving them rooted to the bottom of their tables. Relegation beckons unless there’s a dramatic turnaround.
Teams in England’s top four divisions yet to win a league game in 2023/24:
— Squawka (@Squawka) October 7, 2023
◎ Cheltenham
◎ Bournemouth
◎ Sheffield Wednesday
◉ Sheffield United
Sheffield is struggling. 😫 pic.twitter.com/4imz5QveJH
