Plus: Liverpool's fine start to the Premier League, and three bookings for diving at Arsenal
Wednesday 12 December 2018 13:43, UK
How many changes has Jose Mourinho made to his starting XI? Is Liverpool's start the best ever? And who dives the most in the Premier League?
Sky Sports commentator Martin Tyler has the answers to those questions and more in his weekly stats column, and don't forget to try his tricky teaser in the video above.
Got a question for Martin? Tweet @SkySportsPL with the hashtag #TylersTeasers and the voice of football could be answering your question next week!
It was James Milner's 500th Premier League game at Bournemouth on Saturday, which made him the 13th player to reach the milestone and the first since Steven Gerrard in April 2015. And the versatile midfielder is also the second youngest to do so at 32 years and 338 days, behind Gareth Barry - who leads the 500 Club - with 32 years and 219 days. Milner has scored 51 Premier League goals, including 13 penalties and four free kicks.
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has now scored in all three of his games against Bournemouth, which were all wins, including a 4-0 win at the Vitality Stadium last season as well. And it was only his second Liverpool hat-trick, the first coming when he scored four in a 5-0 home win over Watford in March 2018.
That treble has now taken Salah's total in 36 away appearances in all competitions to 22 goals, and 18 in 26 away Premier League games; and including Tuesday night's Champions League clash with Napoli, the Egypt international has netted 10 times in his last 11 appearances for Jurgen Klopp's side.
Man Utd made another four changes on Saturday… has any side made more than Jose this season? Tom, Islington
United have struggled for consistency this season; they are yet to win three Premier League games in a row, and have in fact changed their starting XI more times than any other side.
Mourinho's 50 changes to the starting XI is far and away ahead of Fulham on 42, while Leicester, Manchester City and Southampton have all made 40.
With City up there, does it show strength in depth, or an ongoing search for United's best side?
Among the lowest changes are Wolves (11), Crystal Palace (14) and Watford (16).
After 16 games, United's 50 changes ranks joint-10th in Premier League history. Sir Alex Ferguson's United made 68 changes after just 16 games in 2001/02 - that's over four changes per game - while Liverpool had made 59 by this point last season.
No side have made over 50 changes to their starting XI after 16 games and gone on to win the Premier League.
Of course, keeping a consistent Premier League XI is that much harder for those teams taking part in Europe at this stage of the season.
Where does Liverpool's start to the season rank in Premier League history? Dan, The Wirall
They've only just reached the summit of the Premier League, leading Manchester City by a point after a pivotal weekend in the top flight, but Liverpool's start is up there with the very best.
Their 42 points after 16 games is the third-best start to a campaign in Premier League history, behind Manchester City (46 points in 2017/18) and Chelsea (43 points in (2005/06).
If Liverpool are to continue with this points-per-game rate (2.625 per game), they will theoretically reach nearly 100 points by the end of the season (99.75). City, of course, hold the record for most points in a season having hit 100 last campaign.
And despite winning the league 18 times, this is Liverpool's best-ever start to a league campaign in their illustrious history.
Arsenal picked up a few bookings for simulation on Saturday. Was it the most in a Premier League game? And which team has the most bookings for dives in PL history? Liam, London
Arsenal picked up three yellow cards for simulation in their 1-0 win over Huddersfield, the most by any team in a single Premier League game since 2006/07, the season when reasons were first recorded for bookings.
On Saturday, Granit Xhaka, Shkodran Mustafi and Matteo Guendouzi were penalised for diving by referee Paul Tierney, taking Arsenal's total tally for cards for diving up to 17 since 06/07.
That's still six behind worst offenders Tottenham, while Chelsea are next on 22, followed by Manchester United (21), Arsenal (17) and Liverpool and Manchester City (both 15).
Since 06/07, Gareth Bale has picked up seven bookings for simulation in the Premier League, followed by David Bentley (five) and both Ashley Young and Wilfried Zaha (four).
Fulham are still without a clean sheet this season! What's the longest run without a clean sheet in Premier League history? James, Wandsworth
Fulham's 4-1 defeat at Old Trafford on Saturday means they are now without a clean sheet in their last 20 Premier League games, but they have a long way to go to match the record.
West Brom went 34 games between August 2010 and May 2011 without a clean sheet, but still managed to finish 11th under Roberto Di Matteo and then Roy Hodgson.
West Brom conceded 71 goals in that 2010/11 season, the second-highest of any side that term, but were still eight points above of the drop zone.
Fulham have now also conceded 40 goals in their opening 16 Premier League games this season; only Barnsley in 1997/98 (43) conceded more at this stage of a Premier League campaign.
