English Premier League: Statistics and Figures – Part 4
The 2009-2010 English Premier League runners up and the English Champions for three years straight from the 2006-2007 season till 2008-2009 season, Manchester United have been traditionally slow in starting their charge for the
English Premier League crown. This season has not been any different as Sir Alex Ferguson’s men have had a good home record but have thrown away leads at Everton and Fulham to settle for draws. Nonetheless, the Red Devils are still unbeaten in their exploits
in the 2010-2011 season and they preserved this record after beating Liverpool at Old Trafford in their last English Premier League match.
Currently joint points with Arsenal but third in the English Premier League table, Manchester United hold the distinction of having made the least amount of fouls in the presently under way English Premier League season. The foul
total under discussion being 44 fouls in five matches, Dimitar Berbatov who was United’s man of the match against Liverpool got a complete hatrick as he scored all three of Manchester United’s goals.
Berbatov’s hatrick was the first by any Manchester United player against Liverpool in the last 46 years. Another point to be noted is that, so far in the 2010-2011 season, Berbatov has had more shots on goal than any other English
Premier League player, a stat that confirms his status as the Premier League’s highest goal scorer for the current season. Three of Dimitar Berbatov’s last six Premier League goals have all come through Luis Nani’s crosses. The Portuguese winger has developed
an understanding with the Bulgarian target man, an understanding that is sure to reap benefits for United as the season continues.
On the other hand, Newcastle United have had a bright start to their English Premier League season, despite losing their first match of the Premier League season to Manchester United, Newcastle have bounced back remarkably well.
In their last English Premier League match, Newcastle United put Everton to the sword as the Tyneside club ran out 1-0 winners at the Goodison Park. Ben Arfa, who was making his debut for Newcastle United in the English Premier League, scored with his first
shot on target in the English league for Newcastle. It was the Frenchman’s striker which gave Newcastle all three points.
James Perch, Newcastle’s right back has not had a fine start to his career in the Premier League. After getting booked in each of Newcastle’s five league games this season, Perch now faces a ban. More interestingly, Newcastle fans
should take pride in the fact that their new signing Cheik Tiote featured prominently against Everton and the Ivorian national completed 98 % of his attempted passes.
In opposition, Stoke City now hold the dubious record of never having earned more than 50 % possession in any of their English Premier League match. In their last match against West Ham United, Stoke only managed to hold onto the
ball for 41 % of the time. It should not be forgotten that this is Stoke’s third complete top flight season in the English league. A much more depressing fact for the Potters will be that their striker Ricardo Fuller who was on the field for 34 minutes against
West Ham United only attempted two passes and sadly not even one of those two passes found their intended target.
On the brighter side, Mathew Etherington, Stoke’s right winger has been playing quite well for his club side. He has created twelve scoring chances this season which is as many as Aston Villa’s Ashley Young, Manchester United’s
Dimitar Berbatov and Chelsea’s Florent Malouda.
Sunderland, who are currently 11th in the English Premier League table for the 2010-2011 season have quite a proud home record. Only Manchester United have succeeded in beating the Black Cats in the last 13 home matches
that have been played at the Stadium of Light for Sunderland F.C. In their last English Premier League match, Sunderland managed to come away with a draw due to Darren Bent’s last minute penalty. However, Steve Bruce will be working hard to improving his teams
shooting accuracy as only twelve of Sunderland’s last forty six attempts on goal have actually found the target.
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