20 years of the premier league as seen by opta
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Opta takes a more detailed look at the official Premier League 20 Seasons Awards plus some of the unofficial highlights.TRANSCRIPT
20 Seasons of the English Premier League
as seen by
Total games played7,846 Ever-present sides in the Premier League
(Arsenal, Aston Villa, Chelsea, Everton, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham)
Total goals scored (2.62 per game, most by a team: Manchester United 1,541, player: Shearer 260)20,589
Teams to have played in the Premier League45
Yellow cards (most by a team:
Chelsea 1,224, player: Kevin Davies and Lee Bowyer, 99 each)22,870
Red cards (most by a team: Blackburn 76, player: Ferguson, Vieira and Dunne, eight each)1,201 Clean sheets kept (most by a
team: Manchester United 346, goalkeeper: David James, 169)4,558
Substitutions (most by a team: Chelsea 1,211, most subs on for a player: Kanu, 118, subs off: Solano, 132)22,666
Relegations from the Premier League (most: Crystal Palace, four)61
Players to have played in the Premier League (most appearances – Giggs, 598)3,111
Hat-tricks scored in the Premier League (most – Alan Shearer, 11)248
Premier League title winners (Manchester United 12, Arsenal and Chelsea three each, Blackburn and Manchester City, one each)5
Everton have lost the most games in Premier League history (most by a player: David James, 197)
Manchester United are the only side to have managed 500 wins in the Premier League (most by a player: Ryan Giggs, 386)500
Tottenham have conceded the most goals in the Premier League, the only team to ship over 1,000 (most by a player: David James, 665)1,020
All data based on Opta definitions and correct at time of going to print.
The Premier League has brought us some stunning moments since its inception. The 20 seasons have seen 45 teams do battle in 7,846 games, scoring 20,589 goals.
We’ve seen high drama, controversy and season after season of compelling
action. To celebrate the 20 year milestone, the Premier League recently
bestowed a series of awards, asking fans and experts to select the best
season, game, player, manager, goal and more.
We’ve had a look at the award winners in the way that only Opta can, and
produced our own tribute to the players and teams that have captivated us
for the past two decades. We’ve also taken a look at some of the Premier
League’s leading marksmen, goalkeepers, play-makers and aggressors.
No-one looks at football more closely than Opta. We delve into the details
that others miss, to pull out the stories behind the numbers.
We hope that you enjoy our unique take on the Premier League so far.
Goals scored from the penalty spot (most by a team: Chelsea, 83. Player: Alan Shearer, 56)1,327 Introduction
0120 seasons of the English Premier League as seen by Opta
Sides who have played just one season (Barnsley, Burnley, Blackpool, Swindon and Swansea)
Own goals scored (most by a team: Everton, 36, player: Richard Dunne, 9)653
Aston Villa have drawn the most games in Premier League history (most by a player: David James, 158)
five
Home wins, 2,107 draws, 2,098 away wins in Premier League history3,641
Swindon in 1993/94 are the only side to have conceded 100 goals in a Premier League season100
South America was the last continent (excluding Antarctica) to be represented in the Premier League – Adrian Paz for Ipswich in 1994/956
The Premier League’s Best Manager: Sir Alex Ferguson
The winner of the “Best Manager” award in the Premier League’s 20 seasons award,
Sir Alex Ferguson’s record in the competition is little short of staggering.
Only José Mourinho has managed a higher win % in the Premier League than Ferguson, whose
longevity helps him stand even further apart from the pack. Having joined Manchester United in
1986/87, he has been in charge since, racking up his 500th Premier League win on the last day
of the 2011/12 season at Sunderland, the next-most victories is Arsène Wenger (347) followed
by Harry Redknapp (227).
In 20 seasons of the Premier League, Ferguson has lifted the title on 12 occasions: Arsène
Wenger (3) and José Mourinho (2) are the only other bosses to have done this more than once.
02 20 seasons of the English Premier League as seen by Opta
*Minimum two full seasons as manager
Key
Win Draw Loss
José Mourinho120 games
Sir Alex Ferguson772 games
Carlo Ancelotti76 games
Roberto Mancini97 games
Arsène Wenger600 games
Rafael Benítez228 games
Claudio Ranieri146 games
Kenny Dalglish238 games
Gianluca Vialli94 games
Roy Evans184 games
70.8%
64.8%
63.2%
61.9%
57.8%
55.3%
52.1%
48.3%
47.9%
47.3%
Win Ratio
The Premier League’s Best Season: 2011/12
In the recent 20 seasons awards, the 2011/12 season was voted the best-ever, and in terms of action, this was a fair reflection. Last season saw more goals per game than any other in the competition’s history, and the most in any English top-flight campaign since 1968/69.
Three of the four Premier League seasons with the most goals
per game have been the last three campaigns, as the trend
towards more strikes continues.
On top of this fans saw 19 hat-tricks scored in 2011/12, the
most in a 20-team Premier League season, while the title was
won on goal difference for the first time in its history, and the
first time in the English top-flight since 1988/89 when Arsenal
pipped Liverpool. Incredibly, the drama lasted until the last
kick of the season, when Manchester City became the first
side EVER in the history of the Premier League to win a game
that they were losing at the end of 90 minutes, equalising on
91:15 before getting the winner on 93:20.
Goals
Goals per Game
93/94* 94/95* 95/96 97/98 98/99 99/00 00/01 01/02 02/03 03/04 04/05 05/06 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/1296/97
1,195 1,195 988 1,019 959 1,060 992 1,001 1,000 1,012 975 944 931 1,002 942 1,053 1,063 1,0669702.59 2.59 2.60 2.68 2.52 2.79 2.61 2.63 2.63 2.66 2.57 2.48 2.45 2.64 2.48 2.77 2.80 2.812.55
* 462 games played instead of 380
92/93*
1,2222.65
In 2003/04, Arsenal achieved a feat unheard of in the English top-flight since 1888/89 (Preston North End) by going a full season unbeaten. They eventually extended their run to 49 consecutive games without a defeat, by far the longest of its kind in the Premier League.
Chelsea between October 2004 and October 2005 are the
only other team to have gone the equivalent of a full season
unbeaten (40 games), with their run starting on the same
weekend that Arsenal’s ended in a 2-0 reversal at Old Trafford.
To the left are some details of Arsenal’s last title-winning
season compared to other recent champions.
The Gunners were leaders in many categories in the 2003/04
season, though interestingly were only second in terms of
total passes, despite their reputation, behind Manchester
United. However their high pass completion rate, especially
in the final third, made the difference.
The Chelsea side of 2004/05 set a new record of most
points won in a single season thanks to only conceding a
competition record 15 goals from just 84 shots on target
faced (little over two per game).
Goals % Goals to Shots
Total Passes
73
72
68
93
15.5%
14.1%
13.7%
17.7%
17,752
16,808
19,421
20,860
26
15
24
29
2003/04
2004/05
2008/09
2011/12
Goals Conceded
Overall Pass Completion % Passes in Final Third
80.9%
81.5%
83.0%
85.9%
4,702
4,639
6,386
6,658
2003/04
2004/05
2008/09
2011/12
2003/04
2004/05
2008/09
2011/12
2003/04
2004/05
2008/09
2011/12
2003/04
2004/05
2008/09
2011/12
2003/04
2004/05
2008/09
2011/12
0520 seasons of the English Premier League as seen by Opta
“We’ve been remarkably consistent, haven’t lost
a game and we have played stylish football. We
have entertained people who just love football.”
The Premier League’s Best Team: Arsenal’s Invincibles
49
40
30
29
29
29
25
Longest Premier League Unbeaten Runs
07/05/03 - 16/ 10/04
23/ 10/04 - 29/ 10/05
23/ 12 /01 - 06/ 10/02
23/ 12 /07 - 18 / 10/08
26/ 12 /98 - 25/09/99
11 /04/ 10 - 01/02/ 11
26/02/95 - 06/ 11 /95
Arsène Wenger, 2004
1
28 192 334
188
39
7
32
12
515
223
824
1311
910
The Premier League’s Best Game: Manchester United 4 - 3 Manchester City
Rooney 2’
Fletcher 49’
Fletcher 80’
Owen 90+6’
16’ Barry
52’ Bellamy
90’ Bellamy
FosterEvra
Ferdinand Vidic
O’Shea (23 Carrick 90+3’) Anderson
Giggs(25 Valencia 62’) Park
Fletcher( 07 Owen 78’) Berbatov
Rooney
GivenRichardsBridgeLescottToureIrelandWright-PhillipsBarryDe Jong (17 Petrov 83’)TevezBellamy
Sunday, 20th September 2009
Referee: Martin Atkinson | Attendance: 75,066
Average Positions
Voted the Premier League’s best match, the Manchester derby of September 2009 saw Manchester City travel to Old Trafford looking to extend their perfect start to the season (four wins from four).
After battling back from a goal down twice before, Craig
Bellamy looked to have given City a point by scoring with five
seconds of normal time remaining to make it 3-3. However a
Michael Owen strike five minutes and 27 seconds into injury
time saw United take all three points.
United had 24 shots to City’s 11, and 59.5% of the
possession, a domination that is highlighted in the average
positions of the two teams, where all but three of United’s
players spent more time in City’s half than their own,
compared to just two for their visitors.
Possession
59.5%40.5%
64.1%35.9%
06 20 seasons of the English Premier League as seen by Opta
1
16
1
2
26
72.4%
11
15
0
2
14
78.9%
0 0
Corners
Fouls
Offsides
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Tackles
Passing Succ.
0102031928070818343239
1203051522081113240910
Territory
United’s win was in large
part down to their evergreen
winger Ryan Giggs (11),
who assisted three goals in
the game. The 20 seasons
“Best Player” set up 10 shots
in this match, one of only
three occasions all season
in which a player created
over 10 chances in a single
game, underlining why he
has assisted more goals in
Premier League history than
any other player.
Ryan Giggs
HT
4
3
1
8
10
6
4
0 1
Shots On Target
Shots Off Target
Blocked Shots
Saves
Post
4
GK
DF
DF
DF
DF
MF
MF
MF
MF
FW
FW
Sir Alex Ferguson
GK
DF
DF
DF
DF
MF
MF
MF
MF
FW
FW
Mark Hughes
With both sides still pushing for the title, the Manchester derby of 12th February 2011 was always going to be special. However few would have foreseen the moment of genius that saw Wayne Rooney cap an impressive Manchester United move with an incredible overhead kick in the 78th minute to hand his side all three points.
Rooney’s goal followed a move
of 14 passes that saw all but
one of United’s outfield players
(Chris Smalling) involved before
the explosive finish, more than
earning the accolade of “Best
Goal” in the Premier League’s 20
seasons awards.
08 20 seasons of the English Premier League as seen by Opta
Wayne Rooney Premier League Career Statistics
Right-Footed Goals
Left-Footed Goals
Headed Goals
Shots On Target
Shots Off Target
Blocked Shots
Goals Inside Box
Penalties
Direct Free Kicks(Outside Box)
Goals Outside Box
The Premier League’s Best Goal: Wayne Rooney v Manchester City
457
510
317
111
14 19
115
13
3
13
221515
315
18
249
9 911
18
1017
510
The Premier League’s Best Save: Craig Gordon v Bolton Wanderers FC
Petr Cech has proved to be a wonderful signing for Chelsea as he enters his ninth season at the club, and the numbers back up the claim that he is one of the best goalkeepers to have played in the Premier League era.
The Czech ‘keeper has averaged a clean sheet every two
games in the Premier League since his transfer to Chelsea
* Only players with 100 PL apps or more considered.
0920 seasons of the English Premier League as seen by Opta
Games/Clean Sheets
2.00
2.12
2.37
2.42
2.46
2.48
2.53
2.54
2.62
2.68
Petr Cech
José Reina
Edwin Van der Sar
Peter Schmeichel
David Seaman
Carlo Cudicini
Manuel Almunia
Jerzy Dudek
Ed de Goey
Mark Bosnich
Minutes/Goals Conceded
127:40 mins
107:15 mins
106:1 mins
105:40 mins
98:58 mins
97:49 mins
96:09 mins
95:47 mins
94:40 mins
91:50 mins
Petr Cech
José Reina
Jens Lehmann
David Seaman
Manuel Almunia
Carlo Cudicini
Peter Schmeichel
Jerzy Dudek
Ed de Goey
Edwin Van der Sar
David James still remains the goalkeeper with the most clean
sheets, however, totalling 169 in his 18-season Premier League
career. Petr Cech has some way to go to be at the top of this
ranking, with 41 fewer than former England ‘keeper James.
David James
Petr Cech
169
128
Until Manchester United signed David De Gea, Craig Gordon’s £9million transfer fee was the highest ever paid for a goalkeeper by a British club. Despite this, he enjoyed mixed fortunes at the Black Cats only playing 88 Premier League games and keeping 19 clean sheets in that time.
Top Stoppers
from French side Rennes in 2004 – a better rate than
any other goalkeeper in the competition’s history. Cech
has also managed the best minutes per goal conceded
ratio, conceding a goal every 127 minutes, 40 seconds
on average, and over 20 minutes longer than any other
goalkeeper’s average.
The undoubted highlight of his time at The Stadium of
Light was this stunning save against Bolton Wanderers,
subsequently voted as the Best Save in Premier League history.
Games Played.................................................................................................................................
Minutes Played ....................................................................................................................Saves .......................................................................................................................................................
Goals Conceded .......................................................................................................................Save Percentage ...............................................................................................................Save Percentage (in box) ....................................................................................Save Percentage (out box) ................................................................................Catches ................................................................................................................................................Punches ....................................................................................................................................................
Drops ...............................................................................................................................................................Penalties Faced .............................................................................................................................Penalty Goals Conceded ................................................................................................Penalties Saved .............................................................................................................................
887,897264127
67.4%58.7%85.6%
109617
15130
Towards the end of January 1996, it looked as if Newcastle United had the Premier League title already wrapped up little over the half-way mark. Kevin Keegan’s Magpies were 12 points clear at the top of the table and looked unassailable.
12 points is the biggest deficit a team has ever made up to
win the Premier League, followed by Arsenal recouping 11
points in the 1997/98 season, and below it is possible to see
the key moments where the campaign was won and lost.
10 20 seasons of the English Premier League as seen by Opta
The Premier League’s Best Quote: “I will love it if we beat them. Love it. ”
I’ve kept really quiet but I’ll tell you something, he went down in my estimations when he said that. We have not resorted to that. You can tell him now, we’re still fighting for this title and he’s got to go to Middlesbrough and get something. And I’ll tell you, honestly, I will love it if we beat them. Love it.
“ “
Kevin Keegan, 1996
Newcastle are 12 points clear of
Manchester United after 23 games.
Newcastle lose 0-2 at West Ham,
starting a dire run.
Newcastle lose 4-3 in dramatic
circumstances at Anfield, giving the
advantage to Manchester United.
Manchester United lose 3-1 at Southampton and Newcastle win
against Aston Villa, putting them three points behind the Reds with a
game in hand.
Newcastle win 1-0 at Leeds, putting them three points behind
Manchester United with two games left to the Red Devils’ one, leading to
Keegan’s infamous “I would love it” speech.
Two draws from their final two matches sees Newcastle give the
title to Manchester United, in what is now the most famous example
of Alex Ferguson’s “mind games”.
Pos.12
3
TeamNewcastle UnitedLiverpool
Manchester United
P2323
23
W1712
12
D36
6
L35
5
F4546
41
A1921
27
GD+26+25
+14
Pts5442
42
1
2
3
45
6
1
2
3
4
5
6
Premier League Table January 21st 1996
Pos.123
TeamManchester UnitedNewcastle UnitedLiverpool
P383838
W252420
D7611
L687
F736670
A353734
GD+38+29+36
Pts827871
Premier League Table May 5th 1996
Hotshots
The Premier League’s Best Penalty Takers
Each of the last three seasons has seen at least 100 penalties taken in the Premier League, something that had happened just once in the previous 11. Given the increasing importance of spot-kicks, a decent specialist is key for every team – especially given that last season saw the lowest percentage of penalties scored of any campaign since 2001/02 (72%). Below are the top six penalty takers in the Premier League since 1998/99.
With a conversion rate of nearly 95%, Danny Murphy has been the most reliable penalty
taker of recent seasons, though in terms of volume, Frank Lampard has a strong claim to
being the best, scoring 37 of 41 in the Premier League. Leighton Baines has taken the most
without missing (eight). At the other end of the scale there are some men you would not want
stepping up to the spot:
Over the last 14 seasons, Juan Pablo Ángel has one of the poorest conversion rates, and it is
interesting to note that four of the bottom six are England internationals: Jermain Defoe,
Kevin Phillips, Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney.
The Premier League’s Best Minutes per Goal Ratios
2011/12 was a season that saw a number of new strikers burst onto the Premier League scene. Manchester City’s Sergio Agüero started the season in fine form, netting eight goals in his first five games in the English top-flight, before Newcastle’s Papiss Demba Cissé took over the mantle in January with a record-equalling 11 goals in his first 10 appearances.
The two new Premier League additions currently boast the best minutes per goal ratios in Premier League history (minimum of 10 goals scored), with another of Manchester City’s recent signings, Mario Balotelli, in fourth place on the list, behind Arsenal legend Thierry Henry.
Recent European Champion Fernando Torres has dropped down the list following a poor run of form at Chelsea. The former Atletico Madrid man scored a Premier League goal every 121 minutes on average at Liverpool, but this has dropped to every 381 minutes since his move to Stamford Bridge.
1120 seasons of the English Premier League as seen by Opta
85.613
113.023
121.8175
126.919
128.295
128.8
138.5
140.7
146.4146.6
Papiss Demba Cissé
Sergio Agüero
Thierry Henry
Mario Balotelli
Ruud van Nistelrooy
23
96
20
1672
Javier Hernández
Robin van Persie
Hernán Crespo
Edin Dzeko
Fernando Torres
Goals Scored
Minutes per Goal
Danny Murphy
James Beattie
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
Thierry Henry
Mikel Arteta
Frank Lampard
94.7% Conversion
94.1%
92.9%
92.0%
90.9%
90.2%
Juan Pablo Ángel
Jermain Defoe
Steed Malbranque
Kevin Phillips
Michael Owen
Wayne Rooney
50.0%
57.1%
60.0%
61.1%
66.7%
68.4%
Pass Masters
As Spain emerge as the dominant force in world football with their tiki-taka style of play, Opta take a look at the most prolific passers in the Premier League over the last few seasons.
It is of little surprise that the two players to have
made the most passes per 90 minutes over the
last 10 seasons in the Premier League are both
key components of the Spanish side that has
won the last two Euros and the last World Cup,
Cesc Fábregas and Xabi Alonso. In terms of
passing accuracy though, only the defensive
midfielder John Obi Mikel is ahead of England’s
Paul Scholes, who tends to play a more
attacking game than his Chelsea counterpart.
For sheer creativity it is another Manchester
United stalwart, Ryan Giggs, who has led the
way in the last decade.
12 20 seasons of the English Premier League as seen by Opta
Premier League Assists
Passes per 90 Minutes
Fran
cesc
Fáb
rega
s
Xabi
Alo
nso
John
Obi
Mik
el
Paul
Sch
oles
Mic
hael
Car
rick
Mic
hael
Ess
ien
Alexa
ndre
Son
g
Luka
Mod
ric
Kerim
oglo
u Tu
gay
Cla
ude
Mak
élél
é
71.6
2
70.9
8
70.2
7
68.5
9
61.6
1
61.3
0
60.0
9
59.6
0
59.5
1
58.4
1
Pass Completion %
John
Obi
Mik
el
Paul
Sch
oles
John
Ter
ry
Will
iam
Gal
las
Baca
ry S
agna
Mic
hael
Ess
ien
Kier
on D
yer
Rica
rdo
Car
valh
o
Ash
ley
Col
e
Luka
Mod
ric
89.5
%
88.3
%
88.0
%
87.9
%
86.4
%
86.4
%
86.2
%
86.1%
86.0
%
85.6
%
Chances Created per 90 Minutes
Ryan
Gig
gs
Fran
cesc
Fáb
rega
s
Mik
el A
rteta
Fran
k La
mpa
rd
Stev
en G
erra
rd
Ant
onio
Val
enci
a
Jerm
aine
Pen
nant
Luka
Mod
ric
Robi
n va
n Pe
rsie
Thie
rry
Hen
ry
2.93
2.84
2.50
2.37
2.36
2.31
2.31
2.22
2.15
2.0
1
R. G
iggs
D. B
eckh
am
D. B
ergk
amp
F. La
mpa
rd
S. M
cMan
aman
And
y C
ole
T. Sh
erin
gham
194
107
105
103
103
102
100
D. A
nder
ton
M. L
e Tiss
ier
A. S
hear
er
T. H
enry
96 90 89
74
* La
st 1
0 se
ason
s on
ly
That’s Gotta Hurt
2011/12 was a season of surprises in the Premier League. Manchester City won their first top-flight title since 1968, all three promoted sides survived relegation for the first time in a decade, and five players committed more fouls than Kevin Davies.
Prior to last season, the Bolton frontman had topped the
Premier League fouls count in seven of the previous eight
campaigns, finishing second to John Carew in the other
(2007/08).
In 2011/12, however, the burly striker started just 21 games
and committed 58 fouls, a total beaten by five other Premier
League players including Norwich City’s Grant Holt, who
topped the list with 89 offences.
Interestingly, league-wide the foul count has been gradually
reducing since its peak in 2002. Last season saw an average
of just 21.9 fouls committed per game, significantly the
lowest rate since 1999.
2003/04Kevin Davies 982004/05Kevin Davies 1072005/06Kevin Davies 1162006/07Kevin Davies & Michael Brown
91
2007/08John Carew 1002008/09Kevin Davies 1172009/10Kevin Davies 1212010/11Kevin Davies 1232011/12Grant Holt 89
1320 seasons of the English Premier League as seen by Opta
Fouls per Game
28.6
27.4
26.5
25.4
26.3
24.3
21.9
2005/06
2006/07
2007/08
2008/09
2009/10
2010/11
2011/12
www.optasports.comwe live sport
Before his 27-minute cameo against Swansea in January 2012, Thierry Henry had scored against every opponent he had faced in the Premier League (34/34). Gary Bull is now the only player who can claim this, scoring in his only game for Forest v Crystal Palace in January 1995100%
All images © Action Images
Five players have scored own goals on Premier League debuts – Chris Swailes, Jacob Laursen, Richard Johnson, Martin Cranie and Dean AshtonfiveFabrizio Ravanelli is the only player to have
scored a hat-trick on his Premier League debut (August 1996 – Middlesbrough v Liverpool)3Manchester United benefitted from 10 opposition own goals in 2009/10 – no other side has ever benefitted from more than six in a single season. “Own goals” was their second-top scorer in this campaign10
Gareth Bale was the only player to be booked more than once for simulation in 2011-12 (twice)2
Between January 1st – May 22nd 2011, Robin van Persie scored in nine consecutive Premier League matches away from home; a new record9 Thierry Henry is the only player to score more
than 100 goals in a single Premier League stadium (Highbury)114
Jamie Carragher has scored as many goals for Tottenham (3) as he has for Liverpool in the Premier League3 Lennard Sowah was the first player to play a Premier League
game who was born after the competition started when he played for Portsmouth on 3rd April 2010 against Blackburn1992
8 31st October 2009 saw the most-ever red cards on a single day in the Premier League
8th May 1993 saw 47 goals scored, the most on a single day in the Premier League47
Alan Shearer holds the record for most hat-tricks in a single season (five in 1995/96)5