MX23RW : Sunday, December 15 03:06:44| >> :120:12247:12247:

Premier League in numbers: Week nine

Sports Mole reviews the weekend's Premier League action using a host of facts and figures.

Crystal Palace 0-2 Arsenal

Palace had not previously lost six consecutive league matches since 2001, but the defeat at the hands of Arsenal saw them reach that unwanted feat.

What's more, it has meant that the Eagles ended the weekend bottom of the Premier League table for the first time this season.

Meanwhile, despite being reduced to 10 men in the 65th minute, the visiting Gunners attempted 665 passes - more than in any of their other encounters so far.

Arsenal's Olivier Giroud celebrates after scoring his team's second goal against Crystal Palace on October 26, 2013© Getty Images


Aston Villa 0-2 Everton

In the battle of the Belgian strikers at Villa Park, it was Everton's Romelu Lukaku that came out on top.

The Chelsea loanee netted his fifth goal for the Toffees in as many encounters.

In contrast, his international colleague, Villa's Christian Benteke, failed to convert his second penalty of the season. Just six spot-kicks have been missed in the Premier League this term.

Everton's Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku scores the opening goal past Aston Villa's Brad Guzan during the English Premier League football match on October 26, 2013© Getty Images


Liverpool 4-1 West Bromwich Albion

Luis Suarez netted his fourth hat-trick for the Merseysiders, but this was his first at Anfield.

It took the Uruguayan's tally for the campaign to six goals from just four Premier League outings.

What's more, the 26-year-old is the first player to have netted a trio of goals in the top flight this season.

Luis Suarez of Liverpool celebrates completing his hat-trick during the Barclays Premier League match against West Brom on October 26, 2013© Getty Images


Manchester United 3-2 Stoke City

United strikers appear to like scoring against Stoke. Robin van Persie hit his ninth goal in his last seven appearances against the Potters, while Javier Hernandez's strike was his fifth in the same amount of outings.

Staying with the centre-forward theme, Peter Crouch was the first frontman to find the net for the visitors this campaign when he opened the scoring.

The Red Devils have now won all six of their home Premier League matches against the side from the Potteries.

Manchester United's Mexican forward Javier Hernandez scores the third goal during the English Premier League football match against Stoke City on October 26, 2013© Getty Images


Norwich City 0-0 Cardiff City

The hosting Canaries had more shots (31) than any other side in a Premier League match, yet they failed to find the net.

Nevertheless, the result means that Norwich have lost just one of their last 11 competitive fixtures against the Welsh outfit.

The shut-out was Cardiff's second of the campaign in nine matches.

Tempers flare between the two sides during the Barclays Premier League match between Norwich City and Cardiff City at Carrow Road on October 26, 2013 © Getty Images


Southampton 2-0 Fulham

The victory has resulted in the Saints having made their best ever start to a top-flight campaign, having amassed 19 points from a possible 27.

Striker Rickie Lambert had three shots on target, while the entire Fulham side managed just two efforts in 90 minutes, both of which were off target.

Consequently, the Whites are the seventh side this season to have failed to register a shot on target.

Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino on the touchline during the match against West Brom on August 17, 2013© Getty Images


Sunderland 2-1 Newcastle United

Two of Sunderland's last three Premier League wins have now come against rivals Newcastle.

It's also the first time since 1967 that the Black Cats have recorded back to back victories over the Magpies.

One of their goalscorers, Steven Fletcher, has scored both of his goals this term with his head. None of the 11 that he fired in last year came off his head.

Sunderland's Uruguayan manager Gus Poyet celebrates at the final whistle of the English Premier League football match between Sunderland and Newcastle United at The Stadium of Light in Sunderland, northeast England on October 27, 2013© Getty Images


Chelsea 2-1 Manchester City

While the number 13 is unlucky for some, it certainly isn't for Fernando Torres. His winner was his first Premier League strike of the season, which came with his 13th attempt.

Also, his cross that set up Andre Schurrle for the opening goal was his 13th assist in a Chelsea shirt.

It was not such a positive afternoon for City, who lost for the first time in a Premier League match that Sergio Aguero had scored in. Previously, City had remained unbeaten on the 31 occasions that the Argentine had found the net.

Fernando Torres of Chelsea scores their second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on October 27, 2013© Getty Images


Swansea City 0-0 West Ham United

Stubborn West Ham kept their fifth clean sheet of the campaign at the Liberty Stadium.

In fact, just four goals have been scored in West Ham's last five encounters on the road.

From Swansea's point of view, their poor form has continued. They've won just two of their last seven matches in all competitions.

Manager Sam Allardyce of West Ham during the Barclays Premier League match between Swansea City and West Ham United at Liberty Stadium on October 27, 2013© Getty Images


Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Hull City

Spurs have won four matches 1-0 this season - the same number that they managed to win by that scoreline during the whole of the last campaign.

It was also the sixth clean sheet that Tottenham have recorded, which is more than any other Premier League outfit.

The penalty scored by Tottenham's Spanish striker Roberto Soldado was the club's third of the campaign. The North Londoners were not awarded one spot-kick during any of their 38 matches last season.

Roberto Soldado of Spurs scores their first goal from the penalty spot during the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Hull City at White Hart Lane on October 27, 2013© Getty Images

ID:114103: cacheID:114103:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:14544:
Written by
Liam Apicella
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Stoke manager Mark Hughes on the touchline during his team's Premier League match against Arsenal on September 22, 2013
Read Next:
Hughes: 'Moyes will be fine at United'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Chiefs
@
Browns
6pm
Ravens
@
Giants
6pm
Jets
@
Jags
6pm
Cowboys
@
Panthers
6pm
Washington
@
Saints
6pm
Dolphins
@
Texans
6pm
Bengals
@
Titans
9.25pm
Colts
@
Broncos
9.25pm
Patriots
@
Cardinals
9.25pm
Buccaneers
@
Chargers
9.25pm
Steelers
@
Eagles
9.25pm
Bills
@
Lions
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City158342721627
6Aston Villa167452425-125
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Fulham166642422224
10Brentford157263128323
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton153661421-715
16Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1512121131-205


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!