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Tons of goals

Test your knowledge with Tyler's teaser...

Martin Tyler Posted 1st December 2009 view comments

Martin Tyler's stats and facts column is here!

Every week he will be here to offer you statistical gems to make your day, impress your mates and, on occasion, to settle the odd bet.

Sky Sports' voice of football and his back-up team of experts are here to answer your questions and queries on all things statistical and historical from the beautiful game.

Giggs: hit his 100th Premier League goal

Giggs: hit his 100th Premier League goal

If you have spotted something from a game or have been stumped by a pub quiz question, simply email here and he will do his best to help.

Tyler's starting stat - Reds' derby delight

Liverpool won't want Everton to move from Goodison Park because they seem to enjoy playing there. The Reds have won eight of their last 10 league games there and have now won 31 times in the league at Goodison Park

Liverpool's overall league record in Merseyside derbies is P181 W69 D56 L56. Bizarrely, in those 181 games, there have only been 71 home wins - with 54 away wins and 56 draws. In all competitions, Liverpool's Merseyside derby record now reads P212 W83 D64 L65.

In the Premier League, Liverpool have now only lost two of their last 20 against their local neighbours. The Reds' Premier League record reads P35 W15 D12 L8 - and the bad news for Everton fans is that none of their eight Premier League derby wins have come in the second derby of the season!

DRAWING CONCLUSIONS
Dear Martin. I hear Man City are on for some sort of record if they draw AGAIN next weekend? Could you clear that up for me? Also, what is the record for most draws in a season? And which Premier League team has the most draws ever? I hope you don't mind me asking all these questions? Ron.

MARTIN SAYS: City have already broken the club record of six league draws from April to August 1913. They have also equalled the record of seven consecutive draws, which was previously achieved by Southampton in the 1994-95 season and by Norwich City in the 1993-94 season.

If City hold Chelsea to a draw next weekend, that will equal the overall record in English football of eight which has been achieved by seven sides in history: Torquay United (Third Division, 1969-70), Middlesbrough (Second Division, 1970-71), Peterborough United (Fourth Division, 1971-72), Birmingham City (Third Division, 1990-91), Chesterfield (League One, 2005-06), Southampton (Championship, 2005-06) and Swansea City (Championship, 2008-09). It would also create a new record for the top flight - and a ninth draw against Bolton in their next game would break the Football League record. That seems ironic in a season when draws were very slow in coming - we were speaking about a paucity of draws in September. Perhaps City were listening a little bit too closely!

To answer your other question, the most draws by one team in a 38-game Premier League season is the 17 from Newcastle United in the 2003-04 season and from Aston Villa in the 2006-07 campaign. The most draws ever in a top flight season is the 23 that Norwich City had in the 42-game First Division season in 1978-79. Exeter City (Fourth Division, 1986-87), Cardiff City (Third Division, 1997-98) and Hartlepool United (Third Division, 1997-98) have all previously drawn 23 games, but in 46-game seasons.

As for overall draws, Everton have the most top-flight draws in history with 1018, while Aston Villa have the most in the Premier League era with 199. City's run is even more remarkable when you consider City hold the record for the fewest home draws in a single season - they didn't draw any of their home games last year!

THE FIRST TO LEAVE...
Hi Martin. With over a quarter of the season gone already and as far as I can remember no EPL manager has been sacked or resigned so far and it got me thinking this must be some kind of record. For the last few years there was a change in manager at a club within a few weeks of the season starting let alone none until August. Is this the longest a season has gone at the start until a manager has left. Stuart (Rangers fan)

MARTIN SAYS: This question was obviously sent in before Paul Hart became the first managerial departure of the Premier League season. His exit on November 24 was the joint latest date for a season's first managerial casualty in the last decade. Bizarrely, Alain Perrin was sacked by the same club, Portsmouth, on exactly the same date in 2005.

There have, however, been two seasons when the season has gone into the New Year before the first managerial casualty. In 1995/96 Roy McFarland left his job as joint manager of Bolton at the start of January with Colin Todd continuing in the job. However, in the very first Premier League season, the first and only managerial departure did not come until February when Chelsea's Ian Porterfield lost his job. How things have changed!

The earliest date for a Premier League managerial departure came in the 2004/05 season when Paul Sturrock left Southampton on August 23, just two games into the season. His side had even beaten Blackburn Rovers on the day of his departure!

The first managerial departure of every Premier League season:

1992/93: Ian Porterfield, Chelsea (15-02-1993)
1993/94: Peter Reid, Man City, (26-08-1993)
1994/95: Ossie Ardiles, Tottenham, (01-11-1994)
1995/96: Roy McFarland, Bolton, (02-01-1996)
1996/97: Howard Wilkinson, Leeds, (10-09-1996)
1997/98: David Pleat, Sheff Wed (03-11-1997)
1998/99: Kenny Dalglish, Newcastle (27-08-1998)
1999/2000: Ruud Gullit, Newcastle (28-08-1999)
2000/01: Gianluca Vialli, Chelsea (12-09-2000)
2001/02: Peter Taylor, Leicester (30-09-2001)
2002/03: Peter Reid, Sunderland (07-10-2002)
2003/04: Glenn Hoddle, Tottenham (21-09-2003)
2004/05: Paul Sturrock, Southampton (23-08-2004)
2005/06: Alain Perrin, Portsmouth (24-11-2005)
2006/07: Iain Dowie, Charlton (13-11-2006)
2007/08: Jose Mourinho, Chelsea (20-09-2007)
2008/09: Alan Curbishley, West Ham (03-09-2008)
2009/10: Paul Hart, Portsmouth (24-11-2009)

THE 100 CLUB
I hear Ryan Giggs became the 17th player to score 100 Premier League goals, but it has taken him a long time to do it. Of those 17 players, I would be interested to know who has the best goals per game ratio for their careers? Via e-mail

MARTIN SAYS: Ryan Giggs needed 534 games to get to the 100-goal mark, giving him a goal/game ratio of 0.19. That's the lowest ratio of all 17 of the current 100 club, but that should in no way diminish his achievement.

The 100 club player with the best goals per game ratio is Thierry Henry, who managed to score, on average, in 69 per cent of his games. He is joined by Alan Shearer and Ian Wright in having a Premier League goals-per-game ratio above 50 per cent.

Goal / game ratio of the Premier League's 100 Club:

Ryan Giggs1005340.19
PlayerGoalsGamesGoal / game ratio
Thierry Henry1742540.69
Alan Shearer2604410.59
Ian Wright1132130.53
Michael Owen1462970.49
Andrew Cole1874140.45
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink1272880.44
Robbie Fowler1633780.43
Les Ferdinand1493510.42
Robbie Keane1213200.38
Nicolas Anelka1082910.37
Matt Le Tissier1012700.37
Dion Dublin1113120.36
Teddy Sheringham1474190.35
Dwight Yorke1233750.33
Frank Lampard1114440.25
Emile Heskey1044490.23

PENAL-THREE
Hi Martin. I watched my beloved Manchester United beat Portsmouth at the weekend thanks to Wayne Rooney's hat-trick. It got me wondering if a hat-trick has ever been comprised of three penalties. On a side note, if I may be cheeky and ask multiple questions, what is the record number of penalties in one match. Thanks! Carl Schirwing

MARTIN SAYS: We have never had a hat-trick of penalties in the Premier League, but there are a few instances of it occurring throughout history. In 1950, Charlie Mitten scored a hat-trick of penalties, and another from open play, as Manchester United beat Aston Villa 7-0 at Old Trafford. Ken Barnes also scored three penalties for Manchester City in the 6-2 home win over Everton in December 1957

Joe Willetts scored three spot-kicks for Hartlepool United in a 6-1 Division Three North match against Darlington on Good Friday in 1951. Alan Slough also scored a hat-trick of penalties for Peterborough in Division 3 on April 29 1978, but he still ended up on the losing side as Chester City ran out 4-3 winners!

More recent instances in English football include Jan Molby, who did it for Liverpool against Coventry in the Littlewoods Cup in November 1986 and David Dunn, who did it for Blackburn against Rochdale in the League Cup in September 2000.

In the Premier League era, Rooney has become the eighth man to score two penalties as part of a hat-trick. The others were Gordon Strachan, Jan Aage Fjortoft, Dean Saunders, Matt Le Tissier (twice), Alan Shearer (twice), Nicolas Anelka, Milan Baros and Steven Gerrard.

As for the most penalties in a game, that came in a Division Two match between Crystal Palace and Brighton on Easter Monday 1989 when five penalties were awarded. The Eagles got four - and missed three of them - while the Seagulls netted the one spot-kick they earned!

PASS MASTERS
Dear Martin. I heard somewhere that John Terry has the best pass completion ratio in the Premier league this season. Can you tell me if this is true. It seems unlikely. Abadur.

MARTIN SAYS: According to our friends at Opta, John Terry's pass completion is not the best in the Premier League - but it's not far off. Of the 709 passes he has attempted this season, 89.84% have reached the intended target. That's the third best passing accuracy in the division - and he is a very good passer as he does pass the ball forwards.

The man with the best accuracy is Manchester United's evergreen Paul Scholes, who has completed more than 92% of his passes this season. He truly is a pass master - and United fans are hoping it is a long time before he becomes a past master!

Below are the top 20 passers, so far this season - and the list is dominated by the Premier League's current top five. Only one man in the list doesn't play for Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham or Liverpool - and that's Fulham's Damine Duff. There are no forwards in there, which is understandable as defence and midfield is a safer passing area.

Best pass completion - Premier League 2009-10:

InsuaLiverpool61885.28%
Player SurnameTeamTotal PassesPassing Accuracy
ScholesManchester United50192.22%
MikelChelsea35490.40%
TerryChelsea70989.84%
DenilsonArsenal29689.19%
JenasTottenham Hotspur38489.06%
Ashley ColeChelsea50888.98%
GallasArsenal48488.64%
EssienChelsea87988.05%
SongArsenal64587.91%
SkrtelLiverpool43187.70%
LucasLiverpool77287.18%
EvansManchester United34987.11%
LennonTottenham Hotspur33686.90%
BosingwaChelsea32086.56%
DuffFulham33386.49%
MascheranoLiverpool91686.46%
BallackChelsea54686.08%
PalaciosTottenham Hotspur58585.64%
CarvalhoChelsea53285.53%

ALWAYS GUNNER CONCEDE
I'm a frustrated Arsenal fan, struggling to understand why my team can dominate possession like they did on Sunday and still let in goals. My theory is that an unusually high proportion of shots against Arsenal end up going in. Can you provide any stats on this subject that will tell me if I'm right? Seb Holding.

MARTIN SAYS: Opta have provided the stats you're looking for and in the month of November, your theory appears to be correct. In November in the Premier League, Arsenal allowed only eight shots on target all month - and yet conceded five goals.

Looking at the season as a whole only Fulham and Chelsea have allowed fewer shots on than Arsenal, yet Arsenal have conceded more than twice as many goals as Chelsea. Overall more than a third of the shots that are on target against Arsenal (34.6%) end up hitting the back of the net.

This is not the worst record in the Premier League. Portsmouth and Wigan fans have seen 38 per cent of the shots on target against their team end up in the net, while Everton, Blackburn, Burnley and Hull have worse records than Arsenal in this department.

However, in terms of shots on target ending up as goals, Arsenal have the worst record in the current top half of the Premier League. Less than 25 per cent of shots against Manchester United and Chelsea result in goals - while only 19.5% of shots on Stoke City's goal end up going into the net. That suggests Thomas Sorensen has been a busy goalkeeper this season!

Here is a table listing how many shots on target there have been against each team this season, plus how many goals each side has let in:

Hull City893134.80%
Team Shots On TargetGoals Conceded% Shots On into goals
Chelsea34823.50%
Fulham491632.70%
Arsenal521834.60%
Manchester City571729.80%
Liverpool582034.50%
Manchester United581322.40%
Portsmouth602338.30%
Birmingham City651421.50%
Aston Villa701420.00%
Everton702535.70%
Sunderland702028.60%
Blackburn Rovers772836.30%
Stoke City771519.50%
Wolves782734.60%
Tottenham 811923.50%
Wigan 813138.30%
West Ham 822631.70%
Bolton 872731.00%
Burnley873135.60%

Tyler's teaser

Last week we asked you to name a player who has played for NINE different clubs in seven different countries, is now back at the club he started with and is still under the age of 30?

The answer is Mido. He started at - and is now back with - El Zamalek in Egypt. He has also played for Gent (Belgium), Ajax (Holland), Celta Vigo (Spain), Marseille (France), Roma (Italy), Spurs, Middlesbrough and Wigan (England).

Click on the video for this week's teaser and fill in your answer using the feedback form below. Also send in your own teasers - and we might feature your suggestion next week!

Fill in your answers using the feedback form below.

Comments (128)

James Gillam (Newcastle United fan) says...

I can't believe that Lucus is the 11th most consistant passer in the league. I haven't seen loads of Liverpool games but all you ever hear is that he has played rubbish and always gives the ball away or plays team mates in to trouble.

Posted 17:09 7th December 2009

Andrew Lucas (Manchester City fan) says...

Hey Martin, great column as usual but what i was hoping you could share your wisdom on is which premier league team has the highest number of players of a different nationality? I think it might be Manchester City with 16. Cheers Martin looking forward to reading your column next week.

Posted 23:37 6th December 2009

Nithin Ramadurai (Arsenal fan) says...

The answer to Tyler's teaser: 1) Nick Barmby 2) Sander Westerveld 3) Abel Xavier (played for Liverpool & Everton in the same season) 4) Don Hutchison 5) David Burrows

Posted 21:31 6th December 2009

Nithin Ramadurai (Arsenal fan) says...

The answer to Tyler's teaser: 1) Nick Barmby 2) Sander Westerveld 3) Abel Xavier [played for Liverpool & Everton in the same season] 4) Don Hutchison 5) David Burrows

Posted 21:29 6th December 2009

Khal Malik (Everton fan) says...

I think it was Abel Xavier who played for both Everton and Liverpool in the merseyside derby in same season also Peter Beardsley, Nicky Barmby, Gary Ablett and Sander Westerweld played for both in the Premier League.

Posted 00:39 6th December 2009

Khal Malik (Everton fan) says...

I think it was Abel Xavier who played for both Everton and Liverpool in the merseyside derby in same season also Peter Beardsley, Nicky Barmby, Gary Ablett and Sander Westerweld played for both in the Premier League.

Posted 00:36 6th December 2009

Ibrahim F (Arsenal fan) says...

i think for the bonus point it is abel xavier

Posted 19:27 5th December 2009

Lee Hannan (Manchester United fan) says...

The three players I've got are; Abel Xavier Nick Barmby Sanders Westerveld can't think of any more though

Posted 11:12 5th December 2009

Matt Hague (Barnsley fan) says...

With reference to the 100 club, Ruud Van Nistelrooy has 95 in 150 games (If he signs for Arsenal he'll be on course for the fastest 100) Who has the fastest 100? The stats just show the career%age not the fastest. Thanks

Posted 10:49 5th December 2009

Ugobanty Steve (Liverpool fan) says...

good to see liverpool players performing great. i wish them more, especially lucas. benitez should try and use aquiliani. he is a very good player.

Posted 10:41 5th December 2009

Sean Stevens (Manchester United fan) says...

I think the answer is Nick Barmby, Sander Westerfeld, Don Hutchison, David Burrows and Abel Xavier. Xavier played for both teams in one season

Posted 22:33 4th December 2009

Owen M (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

Xavier (played for both) Don Hutchinson David Burrows Nick Barmby Sander Westerveld

Posted 21:41 4th December 2009

Darren Le gresley (Manchester United fan) says...

Nick barmby, abel xavier, sander westerveld, Don Hutchison,

Posted 20:00 4th December 2009

Nginga Magachi (Arsenal fan) says...

hello martin, i'm a regular reader of your column and a big fan. I'm so excited because i just saw you on ESPN USA and you will be the voice of the world cup in the USA. Hopefully the USA beat England and then we can see a Germany v England 2nd round match!!! Theo Walcott hatrick takes England to the quater final. USA and England to meet in the semis.

Posted 19:52 4th December 2009

Lenny Raney (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

We all know the story with my beloved Spurs, full of potential but always falling short. Whether its Lasagna or Juande Ramos, something always seems to make us falter just when things are looking up. My question to you is this, if we manage to make it through the Christmas fixtures still in the top 4, what is the statistical likelihood that a club in a CL position on New Years will stay in the top 4 at season's close?

Posted 16:57 4th December 2009

Joe Wilson (Liverpool fan) says...

Abel Xavier is the only one who has played for both in a single season (2002 I think), Don Hutchison, Nick Barmby and Dave Burrows I believe have played for both in the Premier League era, I'm stuck for the other one though, maybe Sander Westerveld on loan at Everton? Or Gary Ablett in the first Prem season for the Reds?

Posted 15:31 4th December 2009

Lee Haines (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

Given as i am a spurs fan and how well Harry Redknapp has done for us since arriving, and the reputation he has gained from most of his managerial positions i would like to know who is the most succesful manager in premier league history, as in which manager has won the most games or possibly the most points in the league if so would be great to include all clubs they have managed in the league and an actualy percentage for the managers who have managed less games, thanks Martin love the work!

Posted 12:57 4th December 2009

Anthony R (Liverpool fan) says...

Abel Xavier is the only to play in the Merseyside derby for both clubs in the same season. Cadamarteri has never to the best of my knowledge played for Liverpool

Posted 11:06 4th December 2009

Chris Willoughby (Liverpool fan) says...

The answers to your questions are:- The 5 players to play for both liverpool and everton are:- 1. Nick Barmby 2. Abel Xavier 3. Gary Ablett 4. Don Hutchison 5. Sander Westerveld The one player to play for both liverpool and everton in the same season is Gary Ablett in the 1991/1992 season.

Posted 10:37 4th December 2009

Jay Gee (Arsenal fan) says...

Hi All, Just wanted to say to all the Almunia knockers that the goals we concede are not his fault. Firstly, Shay Given is regarded as one of the very best. His GTG ratio is virtually the same as Manuel's so is he crap? I think not. If you spend as much time attacking as we do it will leave you light at the back. I think we look more solid when Nasri and Eboue take the wings as they both have defensive instincts where as Arshavin and Walcott/Rosicky don't work as hard tracking back. Leave MA alone, he really is quality.

Posted 09:59 4th December 2009

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