WATFORD are the Premier League’s dirtiest team so far this season.
The Hornets have committed some 273 fouls this campaign, 13 more than second-placed Manchester United.
But there is a surprise lurking at the bottom of the pile.
Beneath Chelsea (195) and Arsenal (193) lie the top tier’s cleanest team… Stoke.
Yes, Mark Hughes’ men are angels in the Prem, with Marko Arnautovic’s sending off against Southampton last month their only dismissal of the term.
That is a far cry from November 2015, when one study placed the Potters as the second-dirtiest team in the history of the Premier League.
Then, they averaged 1.9 yellows per game and a red card every 10.3 games.
It could also be seen as surprising that Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side are in the bottom half of the fouls conceded table.
Fernandinho got his third red card in six games during yesterday’s 2-1 win over Burnley.
And striker Sergio Aguero then was returning from a three-game ban after being sent off in the 3-1 home defeat to Chelsea.
Nolito has also been sent off for City in 2016/17.
Neighbours Manchester United are second in the dirty table (260) with Leicester third (247) and Spurs fourth (246).
Related stories
Liverpool are admirably low given their intense, in-your-face gegenpressing, with just 209 fouls conceded this season.
Watford have had three players sent off in all, with Ben Watson, Miguel Britos and Roberto Pereyra all going for early showers.
Only City can match that tally, while Arsenal, who could leapfrog them in the table with a win over Bournemouth tonight, have just one red.
That came from summer signing Granit Xhaka, who was dismissed against Swansea in October.
Leave a comment