Premier League Gameweek 16 - Five Key Stats
Thrilling action, 22 points, 30 goals, Steve Clarke saying his goodbyes to the Black Country, and a couple of matches that could be used to treat insomnia. It’s only week 16 of the Premier League!
Here are five things we now know after another manic weekend of top-flight action.
Results at a glance
In Saturday’s early fixture, Manchester City trounced Arsenal 6-3 at the Etihad Stadium, announcing their ambition and intent to the rest of the title contenders. The Gunners completed 34% of attempted tackles – the lowest total of any club this weekend – as they struggled to contain the physicality and direct running of City’s attackers, resulting in Nacho Monreal achieving the lowest Performance Score (-45) of any outfield player to play the full 90 minutes.
Newcastle United and Southampton played out a 1-1 draw, with the goals arriving either side of half time from Yoan Gouffran and Jay Rodriguez. Saints’ striker has now equalled his goal tally from last season (six). Newcastle’s rivals, Sunderland, could only manage a point versus a lacklustre West Ham United at Upton Park, and the home fans were quick to let Sam Allardyce know of their frustration at the interval.
Leon Osman grabbed an early goal during Everton’s encounter with Fulham, and although Dimitar Berbatov nonchalantly converted a penalty 22 minutes after the restart, rousing a possible upset, the Toffees continued to assert pressure with trickery and guile, scoring three goals inside 18 minutes as the match drew to a close.
Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Crystal Palace saw Michael Essien complete the greatest number of passes (81) of any player throughout the weekend’s action. Hull City and Stoke City contested a 0-0 draw, and Peter Odemwingie (5) committed the greatest number of fouls in Cardiff City’s 1-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion. Steve Clarke was shown the door hours later.
Sunday’s action began with Swansea City clinching a 1-1 draw against Norwich City at Carrow Road. Wilfried Bony played just 16 minutes, but the 25-year-old made two defensive errors – the greatest amount for a player throughout the top five European leagues.
Elsewhere, Manchester United secured their first away clean sheet of the season, defeating Aston Villa 3-0. The evening fixture saw Liverpool move to second place in the league via a fantastic 5-0 victory over Tottenham Hotpsur, causing social media to burst into a frenzied state as people disputed André Villas-Boas’ job security which eventually culminated in his dismissal.
Tactical titbits
One victory from their previous five league matches, and with media speculation snowballing on whether David Moyes was up to the task of guiding Manchester United back up the table, the scene was set for Aston Villa to cause further heartbreak, at Villa Park.
The first five minutes saw Villa on top and on the front foot – Christian Benteke moving to the left of United’s defence, targeting Phil Jones and the adventurous Rafael. Indeed, the home side constructed many shots and crosses down United’s left flank early on, with the right side barely seeing action as the match clock struck 5:30.
Wayne Rooney assumed a far more withdrawn role, retreating to the centre circle to defend when needed, chase Villa runners, and to link play as Man United built through the transitions. For instance, not long after the 10th minute the 28-year-old vacated the attacking third to collect the ball off the defence, attempting a defence-splitting through ball to the onrushing Danny Welbeck. It failed, however Rooney continued to dictate possession from the centre circle, launching a delightful long range pass out wide towards the corner flag where Antonio Valencia was lurking menacingly.
The Red Devils have been criticised in recent times for not introducing a change of tempo and forward momentum, with passages of attacking play appearing sluggish, lacking a killer blow. Contrastingly, Rooney regularly looks up, changing the direction of play to the flanks and behind the opposition defences. The attempted assists from deeper zones highlights exceptional vision that could aid him in the future when he takes on a new withdrawn playmaking role (something I believe is likely to happen as age catches up with the former Everton player.)
One final word to Villa’s lonely full-back Antonio Luna, who was last seen defending their left flank alone against the onrushing Rafael and Valencia. Here’s hoping that a fellow teammate met him with open arms at the final whistle. Poor bloke.
Success Story
Along with Real Sociedad, from Spain’s La Liga, Manchester City created the greatest number of key passes (20) throughout Europe’s top five leagues. However, when you compare the opposition faced, there’s a clear distinction of class between the two.
Man City beat Arsenal 6-3 at the Etihad Stadium, with the Gunners topping the Premier League by two points. Whereas Sociedad defeated bottom of the table Real Betis, 5-1.
Advantage, City.
Hapless horrors
Fifteen goals scored and 21 goals conceded in only 16 matches, in addition to heavy defeats to Manchester City (6-0) and Liverpool (5-0) in the space of three weeks.
André Villas-Boas may be trying to mask his strawberry blonde locks with what appears to be a recent trip to a London barbers, however there can be no concealing Sunday’s rotten scoreline and troubled predicament.
Stat of the Weekend
For the second week running Crystal Palace completed the fewest passes (164) – the lowest amount throughout Europe’s top five leagues – combined with the greatest average passing length (22m) in the Premier League.
Pulis power is certainly in full effect.