Friday, May 26, 2017

A Statistical Analysis of the 2016/17 Premier League season


2016/17 English Premier League Season - all the stats!


Premier League Champions: Chelsea
Runners-up: Tottenham

Relegated: Hull, Middlesbrough and Sunderland

Average Attendance: 35,821
Largest Attendance: Manchester United v. West Bromwich Albion 75,397
Lowest Attendance: AFC Bournemouth v. Middlesbrough 10,809
Aggregated Attendances: 13,612,316

Most Home Goals: Bournemouth 6 Hull 1
Most Away Goals: Hull 1 Tottenham 7
Highest Goals Total: Swansea City 5 Crystal Palace 4

Longest Winning Streak: Chelsea 13 games
Longest Unbeaten Streak: Manchester United 25 games
Longest Home Winning Streak: Tottenham Hotspur 14 games
Longest Losing Streak: Hull City 6 games
Longest Winless Streak: Middlesbrough 16 games


Player Stats:

Top Premier League Goalscorer: Hary Kane (Tottenham) 29 goals

Most Hat-Tricks: Hary Kane (Tottenham) 4

Most Goals From Inside The Box: Romelu Lukaku (Everton) 24

Most Goals From Outside The Box: Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool) 6

Most Left-Footed Goals: Romelu Lukaku (Everton) 12

Most Right-Footed Goals: Hary Kane (Tottenham) 20

Most Headed Goals: Fernando Llorente (Swansea) & Christian Benteke (Crystal Palace) 7

Most Shots: Sergio Agüero (Manchester City) 139

Most Shots On Target: Hary Kane (Tottenham) 58

Most Shots Off Target: Christian Benteke (Crystal Palace) 49

Most Shots Without Scoring: Jason Puncheon (Crystal Palace) 45

Most Woodwork Strikes: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) 9

Most Premier League Assists: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) 18

Most Chances Created: Christian Eriksen (Tottenham) 112

Most Attempted Passes: César Azpilicueta (Chelsea) 2,459

Most Stray Passes: James Milner (Liverpool) 439

Most Crosses: Gylfi Sigurdsson (Swansea) 304

Most Through Balls: Alexis Sánchez (Arsenal) 48

Most Fouls Won: Wilf Zaha (Crystal Palace) 120

Most Penalties Scored: James Milner (Liverpool) 7

Most Penalties Conceded: Jose Fonte (West Ham) 4

Most Tackles: Idrissa Gueye (Everton) 135

Most Blocks: Ben Mee (Burnley) 46

Most Interceptions: Laurent Koscielny(Arsenal) 91

Most Clearances: Steve Cook (Bournemouth) 352

Most Throw-ins Taken: Matt Lowton (Burnley) 405

Fastest Player (mph): Shane Long (Southampton) 21.94

Most Miles Covered: Gylfi Sigurdsson (Swansea) 269

Most Sprints: Dele Alli 2,542

Most Clean Sheets: Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea) 16

Most Saves: Tom Heaton (Burnley) 141

Most Catches: Lukasz Fabianski (Swansea) 66

Most Goals Conceded: Lukasz Fabianski (Swansea) 69

Most Fouls: Christian Benteke (Crystal Palace) 81

Most Yellow Cards: José Holebas (Watford) 14

Most Red Cards: Miguel Britos (Watford), Grant Xhaka (Arsenal) and Fernandinho (Manchester City) 2

Most Offsides: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Manchester United)

Most Games Subbed Off: Eden Hazard (Chelsea) 25

Most Games Subbed On: Hal Robson-Kanu (West Brom) 24


More Team Stats:

Bournemouth won more penalties (10) than any other Premier League team, scoring seven.
Ryan Frazer won five of those ten.

Hull gave away 13 penalties this season, the most of any side in a single Premier League campaign.

Top of the fair play league were Liverpool with 54 yellow cards and no red cards.

Bottom of the fair play league were Watford with 83 yellow cards and 5 red cards.


More Player Stats:


Jose Holebas (Watford) was given 14 yellow cards for Watford in the Premier League this season, equalling the Premier League record for a player in a single PL campaign

Harry Kane (Tottenham) is one of only five different players to score three hat-tricks in a Premier League season. The only player to score more than three is Alan Shearer (5) in 1995-96.

Hary Kane (Tottenham) and Sergio Aguero (Manchester City) became the fourth and fifth player to score 20+ goals in three consecutive Premier League seasons (after Shearer, Henry and van Nistelrooy).

Hary Kane (TottenhAM) became the sixth player to score a hat-trick in successive EPL appearances and the first since Wayne Rooney in 2011.

Salomon Rondon (West Brom) scored a hat-trick of headers in West Brom’s win over Swansea City at the Hawthorns in December. It was only the second time this had happened in the Premier League, with the first coming via Duncan Ferguson for Everton v Bolton in December 1997

Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) hit the woodwork nine times this season – the record in the Premier League since Opta began analysing (in 2006-07) is 10 by Robin van Persie in 2011-12.

Mesut Ozil (Arsenal) created 12 goalscoring chances in Arsenal’s win over Sunderland in May. This is a record by a single player in a Premier League match since Opta began collecting this metric in 2003-04.

Outfield players who played every minute of the season: Steve Cook (Bournemouth) Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea) and Ben Gibson (Middlesbrough).

Cesc Fabregas (Chelsea and Arsenal) became the first Spaniard to make 300 appearances in the Premier League.

Curtis Davies (Hull) suffered his fourth relegation from the Premier League (2005-06 with WBA, 2010-11 with Birmingham, 2014-15 and 2016-17 with Hull). Only Nathan Blake and Hermann Hreidarsson (5) have suffered more as a player.

Gareth Barry (Everton, Aston Villa and Manchester City) surpassed 600 Premier League appearances, becoming only the second player to pass this landmark in the competition after Ryan Giggs (632).

Following his debut goal at Bournemouth, Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Manchester United) has now scored on his debut in the Premier League, Serie A, La Liga, France Ligue 1 and Champions League.

Peter Crouch (Stoke) scored his 50th headed Premier League goal in their final day match against Southampton – the first and only player to reach this landmark.

Jack Rodwell (Sunderland) broke the Premier League record for longest run of games started without winning, going 39 in a row without ending up on the winning side (two for Man City, 37 for Sunderland) before he started Sunderland’s 4-0 away win over Crystal Palace.

Jermain Defoe (Sunderland) became the fourth player to score 10+ goals in 10 different Premier League seasons, after Alan Shearer, Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard.

Christian Benteke (Crystal Palace) has now scored more Premier League goals at Anfield as an opposition player, for Palace and Aston Villa (5) than he ever did while playing for the club in the 2015/16 season.

Against West Ham, Bournemouth's Josh King became the sixth player to fail from the penalty spot and still score a hat-trick in the same Premier League game.


Managerial Stats:

Bob Bradley (Swansea) lasted just 84 days in charge of Swansea City (October 4, 2016 – December 27, 2016) – this was the third shortest reign by a permanent Premier League manager after Rene Meulensteen at Fulham in 2013-14 (75 days) and Les Reed at Charlton in 2006-07 (40 days)

Craig Shakespeare (Leicester) became the first British manager to win each of his first five Premier
League games. Only three managers have won more; Manuel Pellegrini (9), Sven Goran Eriksson (7) and Carlo Ancelotti (7).

Antonio Conte (Chelsea) has won the league title in four successive seasons as a club coach after winning the Serie A title with Juventus in 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14.


General:

Chelsea’s point tally of 93 was the second-highest seen in a Premier League season, after Chelsea – 95 points in 2004-05.

Tottenham’s goal difference of +60 is the highest in Premier League history for a non-title winning side

Chelsea (30 wins) have broken the Premier League record for most wins in a season (29), also by Chelsea in 2004/05 and 2005/06). The Blues are the first to do it in a 38-game English top-flight season.

Crystal Palace became the first team to win on three consecutive Premier League trips to Anfield since Chelsea in October 2005.

Liverpool had 80.4 per cent possession in their away game at Burnley in August but still lost 2-0. This was the highest possession recorded by a losing side in a Premier League game since 2006-07.

There were 10 draws played out by Manchester United at Old Trafford this season in the Premier League – the joint-most by a team at home in any Premier League season.

Crystal Palace became just the third team in Premier League history to score four goals away from home, yet lose the game when they were beaten 5-4 by Swansea City.

On Saturday April 29, there were no goals scored at home on a day with five Premier League games for the first time ever!


Referees:

Most Penalties Awarded: Michael Oliver 16

Most Red Cards: Mike Dean 5

Most Yellow Cards: Bobby Madley 125



Friday, May 12, 2017

All the very latest football news and gossip across Europe!




With the current domestic football season nearing its close, clubs across Europe are planning for next season, as they scout for new players and in some cases new managers and backroom staff, both at home and abroad, in an attempt to strengthen their clubs for the 2017/18 season.

Here is a round up of all the latest football news/gossip across Europe today, which includes the likes of: Inter Milan, Tottenham Hotspur, Mauricio Pochettino, Jamie Vardy, Alexis Sanchez, Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Alvaro Morata, Gareth Bale, Diego Costa, Arsene Wenger, Antonio Conte, Harry Redknapp, Arsenal, Barcelona, Leicester, West Ham and Brighton to name but a few!


Inter Milan are ready to double the salary Mauricio Pochettino earns at Tottenham Hotspur to make him their new head coach - Football Italia (Italian Football website)

Arsenal will join Chelsea and Manchester United in the £50m race to sign Real Madrid's Spanish striker Alvaro Morata this summer. Morata, 24, has managed just 13 La Liga starts this season - The Sun

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has fired a warning ahead of talks over a new contract by telling Chelsea to pay him what he is worth - Daily Mail

Wales forward Gareth Bale, 27, is willing to move to Manchester United if Real Madrid decide to sell him in the summer - Independent

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho’s No.1 summer transfer target is a left-back, according to Le10 Sport, who claim Manchester United are plotting a move for Monaco star Benjamin Mendy - Le10 Sport (French Sports News publication)

Chelsea's Diego Costa and Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez are wanted by Atletico Madrid if Antoine Griezmann leaves - The Sun

Atletico Madrid are interested in Leicester striker Jamie Vardy, 30, and Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez - Independent and Daily Star

Turkish giants Galatasaray are keen on signing Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck - Daily Mail

Arsenal are set to reassure manager Arsene Wenger they do not have plans to restrict his power - Daily Telegraph

Everton manager Ronald Koeman says Ross Barkley has a week to decide whether to sign a new contract - skysports.com

Everton want to sign Swansea City midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson in the summer. Sky Sports News HQ understands the Toffees are hoping to strike a deal in the region of £25m for the Iceland international. Everton are likely to face competition from Southampton -skysports.com

Hull City defender Harry Maguire has shelved all contract talk until the club's Premier League survival battle has been decided. The 24-year-old defender, who has a year left to run on his current deal, has been linked with a host of Premier League clubs, while the Tigers have two games left in their bid to retain their top-flight status.

Claude Puel's days at Southampton look numbered - with Hull City boss Marco Silva already approached about replacing the under-fire Frenchman - Daily Express

Eddie Howe says Jack Wilshere will return to Arsenal following his loan spell at Bournemouth - skysports.com

Slaven Bilic has confirmed Andy Carroll will miss West Ham’s Sunday clash with Liverpool, but denied claims the striker had played his last game for the Hammers - skysports.com

Slaven Bilic says it's great Michail Antonio has signed a new four-year contract at West Ham - skysports.com

Harry Redknapp has signed a one-year contract to stay on in his role as manager of Birmingham City, the club have announced - skysports.com

Jesus Navas has been offered a new deal to stay at Manchester City after impressive recent performances - Daily Mirror

Brighton are among a host of clubs considering signing Crystal Palace striker Fraizer Campbell on a free transfer this summer. The 29-year-old’s contract at Crystal Palace expires in June and the Eagles are yet to offer him an extension - skysports.com

Burnley may cash in on striker Andre Gray, who has one year left on his current deal and could demand much more than his current £30,000-per-week if he were to agree a new contract - Daily Mail

Craig Shakespeare wants his Leicester stars to stay, irrespective of any verbal gentlemen's agreements they may have with the club. Riyad Mahrez, Kasper Schmeichel and Jamie Vardy are all set to be in demand again this summer - Daily Mirror

Barcelona are reportedly eyeing a move for Southampton midfielder Oriol Romeu. He moved to St Mary’s in 2015 but Marca claim Spaniard could be on his way back to the Camp Nou, six years after he left - Marca (Spanish national daily sport newspaper) and Daily Star

Everton boss Ronald Koeman is interested in signing Ajax captain Davy Klaassen. The Netherlands attacking midfielder has enjoyed an exceptional season, scoring 18 goals in 43 matches - skysports.com

Chelsea are keeping tabs on Bournemouth defender Adam Smith and sent a scout to watch him play in the 2-2 draw with Stoke last Saturday - The Sun

Paul Lambert could quit as Wolves manager over plans for agent Jorge Mendes to handle the club's transfers - Daily Telegraph

Manchester United are considering approaching Paul Mitchell, who found Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli, after he resigned from his role as Spurs' head of recruitment - Manchester Evening News

Barcelona midfielder Andre Gomes, 23, has been offered to rivals Real Madrid, according to reports in Spain - Don Balon (Spanish weekly sports magazine)

Newly promoted Brighton want to sign Liverpool's long-serving Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva, 30, for their first season in the Premier League - Daily Mirror

Fabian Johnson has signed a new two-and-a-half-year deal at Borussia Monchengladbach. The 29-year-old USA international, who moved to Gladbach from Hoffenheim in 2014, will remain at the club until 2020 - skysports.com

Chelsea want to bring Germany Under-17 star Jann-Fiete Arp to Stamford Bridge this summer. The Blues have been keeping tabs on the Hamburg forward for over six months - Daily Mirror

Stoke City boss Mark Hughes has confirmed midfielder Gianelli Imbula – the Potters' £18.3m club-record signing – can move on if a deal can be reached that satisfies all parties - skysports.com

West Brom hope to agree a compensation fee with Leeds for Charlie Taylor rather than go to a tribunal. Baggies boss Tony Pulis has confirmed his interest in Taylor, who is out of contract at Elland Road, and is prepared to offer between £3million and £5million for the left-back - Daily Mirror

Middlesbrough have made a £300,000 bid for Hartlepool winger Nathan Thomas, 22, after Sheffield United had an offer accepted earlier in the week - Daily Mail

Brentford have triggered the clause in Florian Jozefzoon's contract that will keep him at the club until next summer. The winger signed from PSV Eindhoven in January on a short-term deal with the option of a further year - skysports.com

Stevenage have completed the signing of youngster James Ferry from Brentford on a two-year contract - skysports.com



Monday, May 01, 2017

Babe of the Month - From Glamour Model to FA referee!


Amy Christophers was born on 6th October 1986 in Truro, Cornwall, England and is a British TV sports columnist and presenter on Sports Tonight Live, a qualified Football Association Referee and an international model.

She attended stage school and worked as a travel agent and night club assistant manager.

At the age of 18 Amy went from commercial modelling into the world of glamour, under the stage name Brandy Brewer. In 2008 she won Loaded magazine's 'Rear of the Year' - which really shot her to fame with the lad mags.

Amy went on to become a page 3 girl for The Sun newspaper and the Daily Star, and in her ten years in the industry she graced the covers and pages of all the top men's magazines in Great Britain and abroad including FHM, Loaded, Nuts and Zoo to name but a few.

As a teenager Amy was also signed as a solo artist to a German independent label, she then went on to have a number one record for six weeks in the Swedish dance charts with a song called 'Cheaterz' with her band Cashbeatz.

Amy's Cornish roots resulted in her being 'branded' the 'Hottest export since the pasty' by former men's magazine FHM.

But it isn't all about stripping off for the cameras.

In the Summer of 2014, Amy retired from the magazines and dropped her stage name to pursue a career full time in Sports.

Amy always had a huge interest in sports, especially football; she's a huge Chelsea FC fan. She followed her passion for sports and made a career in the sporting industry and started presenting on 'Sports Tonight Live' focusing on football and hosted her own show called '90 MFS' (90 minute football show) and reporting sporting news as lead anchor.



Amy's late Grandad founded Mawnan Football Club, of the Cornwall County Football Association back in the 1960's, and it has been a big part of her life, growing up at the club, so when her grandmother Jean (The President) passed away in February 2015 I applied to be on the committee and carry on the family name.

My part in the club is running their social media and helping organise events such as fundraisers and end of season do and also helping with sponsorship deals.

Miss Christophers is also a Level 7 qualified Referee for the FA, When news got out about this she received international press coverage about her pursuits in the game.

In early 2016 Amy had a spell on Radio at 'The Hub 106 FM' co-hosting her own Saturday Sports show. Then returning to London in summer of 2016 she hosted her own Sports Radio show on YDN called 'Starting 11' along side her TV and radio presenting Amy is also concentrating on writing and is studying journalism, and is due to graduate in July 2017, but  Amy has already had her first published article with the 'Daily Star Sunday' in June 2016 with her guide to the euros, since her first article she has been snapped up by Yahoo Sport for her writing talents and has also written for popular websites such as JOE.CO.UK and the Huffington Post, she recently became the sports columnist for U.K. Men's lifestyle magazine 'Front.'

Amy is currently freelance but working with major media brands including newly formed 'Sport Convo' a new social media network owned by Gareth Bale and Indian cricket hero Virat Kholi. The company headhunted Miss Christophers, stating they knew that she was their girl! She interviews fans, sports stars and films a weekly sports round up. Amy had to learn some Hindi to film certain videos for their Indian cricket audience.

Now, Amy is also a FA qualified football referee, meaning she is allowed to take charge of local matches and youth games.

Although she is still a number of levels away from being a top-tier official, Chelsea fan Amy is desperate to progress – even if the men she’s officiating don’t always know what to make of her.

Amy said: “I think when guys see me walk on to the pitch in my make-up they don’t always think 'Oh she knows what she’s doing’ but they’re always shocked when I know more than them. I absolutely love it and I’m improving with every game. The Premier League would be a dream but I’m just excited to see how far I can get.”

The babe is following in the footsteps of lineswoman Sian Massey-Ellis, an official in the Premier League. Amy said: “Sian is an inspiration to all women thinking about getting involved in the game."

Previously speaking about her love of the beautiful game, Brandy said: "I’ve always loved football and thought becoming a referee would be a great way to get closer to the action."

“There aren’t enough women being represented and it’s fantastic to show that girls can do it just as well. This isn’t just a hobby, it’s a passion. I take this very seriously."


You can follow Amy on Twitter and Instagram or visit her website.