On another fascinating weekend of Premier League football, the stats tell their own story. Here is the story they've chosen to tell.
What the hell has happened to Manchester United at home?
A hellish run of April fixtures is taking its toll on Manchester United's challenge for a Champions League place, as United added Bailly and Shaw to an already-lengthy injury list today. Should United fall short of the Top 4, fans will hardly be in a forgiving mood, having watched Mourinho's men fail time and again to dominate seemingly-easy home games against crap opposition. After deflating home draws to Stoke, Bournemouth and Burnley, United were toothless again at home in a 1-1 draw against Swansea in which they only created a handful of chances.
Today's draw against relegation-threatened Swansea equaled a record for more home draws in a Premier League season. It means Jose now has more home draws in one season than Fergie did in his last 7 seasons at Manchester United combined.
Manchester United have now equalled the Premier League record for home draws in a season, set by Sheffield Wednesday and Leicester City.
— Daniel Storey (@danielstorey85) April 30, 2017
United's home PL draws:
10 in 18 games under Mourinho
9 in Ferguson's final 7 seasons (133 games) pic.twitter.com/wmZ0k2Ssis— Rabona (@RabonaApp) April 30, 2017
It has taken Spurs a VERY LONG time to eclipse their North London neighbours
Spurs rout of Arsenal assured that they would finish above their flaccid North London chums for the first time in 22 years. Just to give you a sense of how long Arsenal have dominated Spurs, Dele Alli wasn't even on the planet the last time this freakish event took place.
The last time Tottenham finished above Arsenal. Deli Alli wasn't even born. https://t.co/f3mMQxye9M
— Mu. (@FutbolMuu) April 30, 2017
Gary Cahill loves scoring against his own club
Anyone who saw Gary Cahill's confused goal celebration or his giddy post-match interview will know how delighted the Chelsea captain was to play a role in today's win over his former club, which all but sealed a league title. Cahill wasn't sure if he should celebrate at Goodison, which is odd because he has made scoring against Everton a habit since he moved south to west London. It was his fourth goal against Everton.
Gary Cahill scores his 8th goal of the season, now best scoring season of career. Scored 4 PL goals v Everton, more than against any side pic.twitter.com/mLBKqL5VeH
— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) April 30, 2017
Yesterday was a historically bad of Premier League football
If you happened to give yesterday's Premier League action a miss, consider yourself lucky. Any activity imaginable - from shopping at IKEA with a titanic hangover to planning your own funeral - would have been more enjoyable than spending the day watching the best league in the world. It was a historically terrible day of Premier League football, with the league's good sides enjoying a day off. Four goals were scored in 5 games, and none of the 5 home teams managed to convert an opportunity. Shocking.
0 - This is the first time in @premierleague history no home side has scored on a single day with at least four games. Blanks.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 29, 2017
At least Sunderland were relegated. Speaking of which...
Sunderland have entered the pantheon of gloom
For the past decade, Sunderland have been the Premier League's version of a guilty death row convict. Appeals will get you so far but a time comes to face the inevitable. The Mackems received reprieve after reprieve over the last ten years but they have been unable to consolidate their place in the Premier League and the abyss of relegation has finally claimed them. They now pull level with Norwich and Palace as the teams that have been relegated the most in the Premier League era.
Managers come and go but City are no good after trailing at halftime away
So much has changed for Manchester City over the past 22 years but through it all, City remain decidedly crap when trailing away at halftime. Alvaro Negredo gave Boro a 1-0 lead at halftime today, which would have been a sign to all people who follow City closely that the three points were off the table today. Today's draw made it 96 league games in a row that City have failed to overturn a halftime deficit while away from home.
Man City's last 96 (ninety-six) Premier League games AWAY when losing at half-time (dating back to April 1995):
Won 0
Drawn 12
Lost 84— Nick Harris (@sportingintel) April 30, 2017
