We're nearing the halfway point in the Premier League season, it's just six matches away in fact. And the league title is no clearer in its destination with Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham all locked in a five-way battle at the top end. We pick out five stats that jump out at us from the weekend's clashes.
1 Man United’s failure to win at home
Manchester United have drawn four in a row at home for the first time since 1980
As Jose Mourinho’s start to his Old Trafford tenure continues to falter and stutter on its maiden Premier League journey, his team again failed to ignite at home to West Ham. Decent performances from Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard, and another encouraging cameo from Wayne Rooney still weren’t enough to get more than a 1-1 draw. Their main problem: a failure to convert. That is backed up by the fact it was United’s fourth consecutive draw on the trot at Old Trafford; that’s the first time that happened since 1980 when Margaret Thatcher was still in power at 10 Downing Street.
And, on top of all that...
Just realised Mourinho has as many sendings off at Old Trafford in the league as he does home wins.
— Richard Martin (@Rich9908) November 27, 2016
Source: Opta
2 Giroud the super sub
Olivier Giroud has been involved in more goals than any other player after coming off the bench this season.
Giroud has his detractors, some questioning his workload, some questioning his finishing ability. But this season, off the bench, he has provided huge impact for Arsenal, more than any other player in the Premier League. He’s scored three and has one assist when coming into the game as a sub.
Source: Opta
3 Jordan Henderson link play
Jordan Henderson is the Premier League's leading passer.
As the Premier League edges towards the halfway mark, Liverpool are right in the mix, just one point off league leaders Man City, and looking like a side that can win their first league title since 1990. Coutinho and Firimino are the attacking stars of the team but Jordan Henderson is the driving force from midfield. He is the league’s top passer with 1,132 successful passes, quite some distance ahead of the next-best ball-sprayer – Man City’s Fernandinho with 939.
Source: PremierLeague.com
4 How often do goal-fests happen?
Swansea and Palace was only the 21st Premier League game featuring nine goals or more.
Swansea overcame Crystal Palace 5-4 on Saturday in a ridiculous game at the Liberty Stadium. As we all know, goalfests such as this one are rare these days, and have been since the start of the Premier League; so rare that there has only 21 matches since the inception of the league that have had nine goals or more.
Source: Sky Sports
5 Sergio Aguero in front of goal
Aguero has scored 33 goals in his last 34 PL games.
Two more goals at the weekend kept Man City’s title charge on course as they saw off Burnley, but the actual consistency of his goalscoring is truly remarkable with 33 goals in his last 34 Premier League appearances.
Not bad for a man who's been adjudged to have had a quiet season by his own standards in recent weeks.
Source: @City_Chief on Twitter
