Is Wrexham’s soaring rise to prominence in any way a fairy tale? Or is it another example of financial doping, only played out much further down the footballing pyramid to what we’re used to? 

Alas, in the tribalized world we now inhabit, it feels like it cannot be a combination of the two.

Certainly, the media have hitched their wagon to the fairy tale narrative, recognizing the public interest value in portraying two famous actors swooping in and transforming the fortunes of a struggling club as a feel-good story. 

“It’s always sunny in Wrexham, where Hollywood takeover has breathed new life into community.”

That was the i newspaper’s recent take on proceedings, an angle that wouldn’t look out of place as a closing line in a Hans Christian Anderson fable that has a happy ending which sees the townspeople celebrate in song and merriment. 

The Daily Mail meanwhile, marked Wrexham’s return to the football league with a gushing, lengthy headline claiming their promotion reminded us all that football really is the beautiful game. 

Away from print, BT Sport have seemingly aired Wrexham’s fixtures on a weekly basis for two years now while the eight-part Disney+ docu-series Welcome To Wrexham awkwardly blurred the poverty that is prevalent in the town with the club’s new-found riches, in doing so insinuating the club’s residency at the summit of the National League has been an underdog success story that subverts meritocracy and the sports betting. 

It has not been a deprived area, ignored for too long by successive governments, that topped Bromley, Barnet and the like. It was a club furnished with considerable fortunes.

And if Manchester City and Newcastle United are to be widely castigated for the financial advantage they purportedly hold over rivals who used to tower above them – a charge incidentally that is anything but clear-cut considering FFP and the vast resources of Manchester United et al – then surely the newly-minted Welsh outfit should be held to the same criteria?

After all, since their most unexpected of takeovers, Wrexham have bought players from two leagues above, while their wage budget is reportedly four times that of many others who dwell in the National League. 

Via heavy investment - not to mention worldwide publicity that has made them a money-making machine - they have very quickly become a behemoth among minnows. Minnows that are the Wrexham of old, scraping by. 

If this all screams double standards however, it’s only right to step back and take in the full picture, beyond how Wrexham’s transformation has been covered and instead purvey the reality of their surreal circumstance. 

In 2004, Wrexham entered administration and were at death’s door until fans rallied around and brought the club back from the brink, forming a Supporters Trust that took over the ownership.

Stabilizing the books through sensible governance, these same fans then endured further seasons of hardship on the pitch, with this historic and great club exiting the league and languishing for 14 seasons in the fifth tier. 

Like a great many clubs – too many to mention – Wrexham have unquestionably had a hard time of it.

Then, from absolutely nowhere and stretching the bounds of plausibility, Deadwood actor Ryan Reynolds and It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia star Rob McElhenney bought Wrexham in late 2020, instantly placing a ginormous spotlight on the Red Dragons. The rest, as they say, is history. 

In the short period they have been at the helm, Wrexham’s commercial revenue has increased ten-fold while on the pitch Paul Mullin and co came within a hair’s breadth of securing promotion last term before redoubling their efforts and romping to 111 points this time out.

Before a ball has even been kicked, they are already favourites in the football betting to go up again next year too, so impressive has been the project undertaken.

Moreover, while significant improvements on and off the pitch are to be commended what should not be overlooked is how the spirit of the club has been rejuvenated, past all recognition.

Each and every week ten thousand plus have the Racecourse rocking. The club is buzzing. The town is buzzing. The fans who stayed loyal and present throughout the darkest of days are now residing in dreamland. 

It would therefore be incredibly naïve to think the media would take a dim view of all this, to diminish Wrexham’s rise in the same manner they carp about Manchester City and Newcastle’s advantages. 

We live in a cynical age and have a deeply cynical press. But there are limits. 

Perhaps then, the proper and right way to regard Wrexham’s recent adventures in wonderland lies down the middle, as much as we’re not supposed to have two contrasting views given equal credence in this tribalized climate. It is a combination of fairy tale and financial doping.

The Hollywood glitz reviving a non-league club should be celebrated. How they’ve gone about it should also be heartily applauded. 

But the end results, the glory and the promotions, is anything but a Hans Christian Anderson yarn. That’s inevitable.

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*Credit for the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*

On six occasions in Premier League history, a title race has been decided by either a single point or goal difference.

With just one point presently separating Arsenal and Manchester City might a seventh go right to the wire?

Let’s hope so, because as these unforgettable conclusions remind us, when a league crown remains up for grabs on the final day the drama is incredible. 

Blackburn Rovers (1994/95)

All of the Premier League predictions had Manchester United down to win a third consecutive title, this despite newly-minted Blackburn coming strongly to the fore.

By the spring however, a reassessment was required, with Shearer and Sutton scoring goals for fun as Rovers racked up a healthy advantage.

Their lead slipped down the home straight but still, a victory at Anfield on the final day would have been enough, an opportunity they spurned. 

The relief was palpable therefore, when United only drew at West Ham, a result that made Jack Walker’s wildest dream come true at Ewood Park.

Manchester United (1998/99)

The betting markets were a chaotic affair at the tail-end of this unmissable season, with the Premier League winner odds changing week on week. 

With just a handful of fixtures left to play, Chelsea were seriously in the running but four draws in their last seven ultimately scuppered their chances.

This left just Manchester United and Arsenal to duke it out for the second year in a row, these two behemoths separated once again by just a single point.

The previous campaign saw the Gunners prevail but here United had the advantage, needing a final-day victory over Spurs at Old Trafford to ensure a fifth Premier League title. 

They had to come from behind to do it, an Andy Cole winner securing the first of three gleaming trophies to take into the next century. 

Manchester City (2021/22)

Liverpool were just two games shy of winning an unprecedented quadruple last term, their vintage campaign eventually undermined by a Vinicius strike in the Champions League final and a thrilling second-half comeback at the Etihad.

These are the fine lines that determine history.

Needing to beat Aston Villa at home to fend off the relentless Reds, Pep Guardiola’s men promptly conceded twice, leaving themselves just 20 minutes to pull of a second last-day miracle in the last decade.

In a whirlwind few minutes they did it, scoring three times in quick succession and leaving one half of Merseyside with the scant solace of two domestic cups. 

Arsenal (1988/89)

Anyone who witnessed Arsenal’s last-gasp title success at Anfield would have been absolutely certain no subsequent title race could ever top it for late drama. This was as good as it got. This was as surreal and crazy as it ever could get. 

At the home of their nearest rivals, the Gunners needed to win by a two-goal margin to pip them on goal difference and few teams scored in L4, never mind twice-over. It was a Herculean task.

But then, shortly after half-time, Alan Smith flicked a free-kick into the far corner and 1-0 it stayed until the 90th minute when, in a stadium ringing out to a chorus of nervous whistles, Michael Thomas went charging through the midfield. 

In front of a Friday night audience of millions, the final few pages of Fever Pitch played out, stranger than fiction. 

As title climaxes went, nothing could ever beat this. Could it?  

Manchester City (2011/12)

We are all excessively familiar with Martin Tyler’s commentary, that accompanied the goal.

We know all-too-well the build up to the main event, that saw Nigel De Jong ferry the ball forward, before Mario Balotelli fell to ground, assisting in unorthodox fashion Sergio Aguero.

If we close our eyes, we can vividly hear the ball rippling the back of QPR’s net and that moment of stunned silence before the Etihad stadium exploded into utter bedlam.

With Manchester United believing they had won yet another title, their noisy neighbours secured a first league crown for nearly half a century in a manner that still defies belief on every watch.

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*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*

The impact that Unai Emery has made at Villa Park should not be under-estimated, the Spanish coach transforming the club’s fortunes in a short period of time.

When the former PSG and Arsenal boss took the reins in the Midlands last November, Aston Villa were well and truly in the doldrums, browbeaten by an abject campaign overseen by his predecessor who had unquestionably alienated the fan-base, and reportedly alienated half his dressing room. 

At the time of Steven Gerrard’s dismissal, the Villans hovered just a point above the drop-zone having won only three of their 13 games. Up front, goals were hard to come by. At the back, they were persistently porous and prone to mishap.

With confidence on the floor and performances shorn of inspiration, there was naturally an awful lot of restructuring for the 51-year-old to do. Indeed, it amounted to an overhaul.

That Emery has done this so comprehensively, and so quickly, is to his enormous credit and perhaps shouldn’t overly surprise considering his pedigree.

After all, this is a manager who has won the Europa League a remarkable four times, winning a European Coach of the Season merit in 2014. Luring him into a relegation dogfight was quite a coup.

Not that relegation is even a passing concern anymore, not after a startling turn-around has seen Villa pick up 42 points from a possible 63 under the erudite Spaniard, scoring in all-but-one of his 23 games in charge across all competitions. 

With a defence that has kept clean sheets in 42.8% of their fixtures and an attack rejuvenated by the brilliant Emi Buendia, and a forward in Ollie Watkins who can’t stop scoring, Villa have steadily climbed the table.

Just six months into Emery’s tenure, Villa are now well backed in the football betting to finish inside the top six, with even a Champions League spot not out of the question. 

It's a transformation that began on the training field, with Emery very much an attention-to-details coach who demands that long hours are spent correcting flaws identified via video analysis.

One such example is that a third of the goals conceded under Gerrard came from set pieces.

Aston Villa were in 17th place right before Unai Emery was hired in October.

He's now led them into 5th place and a Europa League spot 😮

Truly remarkable turnaround 👏 pic.twitter.com/klVC0B8Qs4

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 25, 2023

Bringing Tyrone Mings back into the fold helped in this regard, as too did the promotion of a set piece specialist coach whose opinions are now adhered to.

A change in formation meanwhile to a 4-2-2-2 was designed to get the best out of a previously failing midfield. The form of Douglas Luiz and John McGinn have improved dramatically as a consequence. 

All of which bodes extremely well for Villa’s health in the short-term but also prompts speculation as to what they can ultimately go on to achieve under the experienced coach. 

To a large extent, where they eventually finish this term will answer that, but certainly – with or without European football – Villa should be fancied in the Premier League betting to be nowhere close to the lower echelons of the top-flight in 2023/24.

Instead, a top six battle will likely ensue, while the renowned cup specialist will insist on nothing less than a deep run in at least one of the knockout tournaments. Villa last won a trophy in 1996.

A pivotal transfer window awaits too, with deadwood needed to be moved on and Emery expected to lean into his La Liga contacts. If he gets that right then frankly the world is Aston Villa’s oyster, a club that only last winter looked doomed to flail and drop.

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*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*

Two-time Premier League Player of the Year, Kevin De Bruyne has illuminated English football pitches for close to a decade.

Unquestionably, one of the best midfielders in Premier League history, the brilliant Belgian has at times been in a class of his own, on occasion so resplendent it’s felt like we will never again see his like.

But football is cyclical and sure enough, soon time soon, the next magnificent, influential attacking midfielder will come to our shores, guiding whichever team is lucky enough to have him, to silverware. 

These five have every chance of eventually usurping the great man and who knows, in a few years’ time we might well be asking, ‘Who is the next Dominik Szoboszlai?’

Pedri 

“Nothing should ever be ruled out.”

Those simple words, spoken just a few weeks ago, placed several Premier League boardrooms on high alert as the ridiculously talented Barcelona prodigy suggested a move to England was not beyond his scope.

Given the financial problems that have crippled the Catalan giant, it is not inconceivable they may be forced to cash in sometime soon on their prized assets, the best of which was a stand-out performer at the World Cup. Undoubtedly, Pedri has the world at his feet.

It is all-too-easy to imagine the 20-year-old in a Chelsea shirt, presumably tied down to an absurdly long contract. 

Dominik Szoboszlai

The Hungarian playmaker almost joined Arsenal in 2020, before opting instead to leave Red Bull Salzburg for their bigger cousin Leipzig, whereupon he has impressed in the Bundesliga, carving out 13 assists this season alone. 

According to a study conducted by the CIES Football Observatory in 2021, Szoboszlai is the player closest to De Bruyne in profile and sure enough his attributes mirror those seen on a regular basis at the Etihad. His passing is crisp and clever. His movement with the ball always purposeful.

Greater consistency is needed before he can rightly be compared to the City midfielder but a bigger stage will afford him that opportunity. Will the Gunners return for a second bite of the cherry now that Champions League can be offered? 

Charles De Ketelaere

Hailed in Belgium as the natural heir to De Bruyne, the AC Milan star has struggled make a significant impact in Serie A but that shouldn’t be held against him. After all, De Bruyne hardly set Stamford Bridge on fire during his first big move abroad. 

Having just turned 22 there is still plenty of time for the boy from Brugge to showcase his sublime passing range and dribbling skills and that may yet be in the Premier League.

Last summer, Leeds took a serious swing at signing him. 

Arsen Zakharyan

Chelsea came awfully close to signing the Russian superstar-in-the-making last summer, and tried again in January, but both times their attempts were scuppered due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Political sanctions even resulted in the Blues suggesting they take the gifted midfielder now and pay later, but Dynamo Moscow refused, leading to an impasse yet to be resolved. 

In due course it is hoped circumstances change for the better and should they do so, Zakharyan’s meagre £14m release clause will likely appeal to many others, not just Chelsea who – to be fair – have put in all of the legwork. 

Florian Wirtz

The German teen spent the first half of this campaign in the treatment room, recovering from a cruciate ligament rupture that threatened to stall a stunning rise to prominence. 

Since he has returned to action, however, Wirtz has more than played his part as Bayer Leverkusen defy the football odds that price them as outsiders to secure a top four spot. 

Six assists in his last seven starts for Die Schwarzroten is a timely reminder of the youngster’s qualities, his dynamism and guile making him a much sought after prospect.

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*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*

They may have developed a worrying habit of drawing games in recent weeks but no matter how this season ends it will be considered a vintage one for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal. 

With just a handful of matches to play, the Gunners remain level-pegging with Manchester City in the Premier League betting odds for the title and nobody could have predicted that less than a year ago when a late implosion cost them a top four place.

In that regard – and indeed, in every regard - it is a quantum leap in improvement. From pretenders to contenders in the blink of an eye.

Furthermore, it is a campaign that has seen them boss proceedings almost from the off, reaching the summit two weeks into 2022/23 and relinquishing top spot only the once, for four mere days. 

Displaying a highly admirable aversion to pressure and circumstance, no side has put together more wins (23, as of late April) and they are the only team still to lose from a winning position within a fixture. 

Even when behind, they have shown an iron-clad mentality that previously seemed alien to them, picking up 16 points from 27. And somewhat inevitably, these outstanding achievements are allied with some equally outstanding stats. 

No side has taken on more shots (520), which makes it all the more impressive that they boast the best chance conversion rate (12.7%).

Moreover, unlike several of their peers, it is a prolificacy not overly reliant on individuals. No side has had a greater number of different goal-scorers.  

Only Manchester City and Liverpool have strung together more passes and this demonstrates the simple truth that Arteta and his men have not compromised their purist principles in order to improve, while at the back they have been consistently solid, keeping clean sheets in 37.5% of their league outings.

As is nearly always the case therefore, when discussing a successful creation, the manner in which they have attained such excellence is nearly as impressive as the excellence itself.

There has been plenty of style married to substance. They have been ruthless for the most part but also a thrilling, multifarious spectacle.

Additionally, these details above offer up clues as to how Arsenal have gone about elevating themselves so dramatically, transforming from a side that unquestionably had brittle elements to it last term, coached by a man who on a couple of occasions during his tenure found himself short-priced in the football betting to be the next manager sacked. 

Pertinently, it has been an advancement founded on an almost devout adherence to the three Ps – positioning, possession and pressing, the latter a nuanced and selective stratagem so as to maintain structure and avoid being countered. 

It’s a finely-honed and much-practised blueprint that has clearly worked for the Gunners this term, resulting in them having the most high-turnovers ending in shots while at the other end rarely, if at all, have they found themselves stretched and out-numbered.

This, above all other facets, explains the level of control Arsenal have maintained all year, a dominance of game-narrative that affords their creatives a greater freedom to express themselves, to make a difference.

Mikel Arteta’s men press aggressively but never over-commit, which brings us to positioning and each player’s intuitive understanding of where they need to be in any given passage of play.

Mikel Arteta: "I can't love my players more, really. That's what I told them". ⚪️🔴 #AFC

"In football when there's big pressure normally players start to hide; I didn't see a single player who did that". pic.twitter.com/j6EcXBb5L3

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 22, 2023

It's a balancing act that is exceedingly tricky to pull off. Arsenal have done it better than anyone in 2022/23 and that includes Manchester City, a pioneer of the approach. 

Speaking of balance, Arteta’s decision to push Granit Xhaka further forward has reaped huge dividends this season with the Swiss midfielder enjoying a career zenith ahead of Thomas Partey who has consistently been exceptional in the holding role.

With an unshackled Martin Odegaard in the running to win this season’s Player of the Year merit it is difficult to think of a better midfield three and as always with Arteta, its success comes down to that commodity he prizes above all else. They are oh so perfectly balanced. 

At the back meanwhile, the forging of a formidable partnership between Gabriel and William Saliba has been a fundamental reason behind Arsenal’s rise, and for all of their defensive attributes what stands out is that both players are in the top five across the league for progressive carries. Without a doubt, the Gunners’ means of attack starts with them.

And typically ends with yet another Martinelli or Saka strike, but as much as this duo’s impact should be lauded, it is perhaps the introduction of Gabriel Jesus that has made a valuable difference to Arteta’s creation, the Brazilian’s progressive passing ensuring possession has a real purpose to it now and doesn’t lead to nothing. 

The old charge that Arsenal sometimes pass for passing’s sake simply no longer applies to this present eleven. 

Lastly, there is the intriguing inspiration the manager has sought from basketball, in particular the sport’s use of compactness and positional discipline.

According to Odegaard, appropriating these methods from the court to the Emirates pitch has been a significant factor in Arsenal’s major upgrade this season, helping most when in transition.

However it has been achieved – and wherever Arteta has mined his influences – the transformation of Arsenal and has nothing short of remarkable this season. And increasingly it seems they have no intention of fading away anytime soon.

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A few short weeks ago it seemed like half of the Premier League was at genuine risk of succumbing to the dreaded drop. Remarkably, with ten games to go, just four points separated the bottom nine clubs.

That highly unusual circumstance appears to have eased of late, with Crystal Palace pulling themselves clear for now, and West Ham and Wolves buying some breathing space.

Still, that leaves six sides scrapping for their top-flight lives, while the aforementioned trio can absolutely not count their chickens just yet. A couple of defeats on the bounce and they are right back in the mix.

How likely that is, however, feels negligible due to all three teams possessing sufficient firepower and quality to pull off results when needed.

Wolves can keep a clean sheet with the best of them while Palace have difference-makers, which makes all the difference down near the bottom. West Ham meanwhile have always been too good to scavenge for must-win points, they just took their sweet time to show it. All three will be fine.

Who won’t be fine, you fear, is Southampton, reliant as they are on the set-pieces of James Ward-Prowse and failing to improve in any meaningful manner following the sacking of Ralph Hasenhuttl.

The Saints are short-priced favourites in the Premier League relegation odds and with good reason having won only 18% of their fixtures across 2022/23, and what especially damns them is their lack of potency up front.

When a coterie of strikers and wingers collectively score just 12 goals between them their team is going to struggle and this has duly played out all term.

There is scant evidence this is going to change anytime soon.

Nottingham Forest too are in dire trouble, even if they are a half-decent proposition at the City Ground.

Away from familiar environs and a passionate home support, Steve Cooper’s men have picked up a miserable six points on their travels and to put that into proper perspective, even Southampton – who are presently rock-bottom – have managed 14. 

Currently winless in 11 and with Cooper failing to deal with two very contrasting problems – those being a ginormous squad and an ongoing injury crisis – Forest appear destined to make a swift return to the Championship. 

Telling its own story, they are 1/4 to go down in the football odds. 

Of the remaining four only Bournemouth have real cause for encouragement, that strangely coming in the form of their inconsistency.

Jekyll and Hyde since early February, their ability to pick up invaluable wins every fortnight should be enough in a wide open field and the same goes – to a lesser extent – for Everton, who have proven themselves capable under Sean Dyche of grinding out results, either side of terrible performances. 

Ordinarily, to blow hot and cold is a curse. With so many sides flat-lining around them, it can be construed on this occasion as almost a blessing.

Which leaves just Leicester and Leeds, the former stuck in a sustained rut for much of their campaign but at least there are signs of recovery under interim gaffer Dean Smith. 

Crucially too, in James Maddison and Harvey Barnes, the Foxes have individuals who can come to the fore when it really matters.

Alas, that puts Leeds firmly in the frame to be the third team to drop. If haemorrhaging goals in recent weeks wasn’t disastrous enough, their inability to withstand opposition forays is only exacerbated by their appointment of Javi Gracia. 

The Spaniard was brought in specifically to tighten things up at the back.

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*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*

• Gareth Barry is the all-time leader with 123 yellow cards in the Premier League

• On eight occasions, a player has amassed 14 yellow cards throughout a Premier League campaign

• Tottenham’s nine yellows against Chelsea in 2016 is the most received by one team in a match

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Sitting on the list of the most yellow cards in Premier League history might not sound like a positive.

As much as ill-discipline, though, it is a reflection of longevity in the top flight, meaning a player hasn’t spent much time featuring in the Championship odds.

Even bankers for a yellow in football betting need a long Premier League career to reach 85 yellow cards. That’s a tally which would only just squeak onto this list, tying with Kevin Nolan and George Boateng.

Here are the players with the most yellow cards in Premier League history…

Paul Ince – 74

Paul Ince made 306 Premier League appearances across spells with Manchester United, Middlesbrough, Liverpool and Wolves.

Thrice included in the Team of the Year, and twice a champion, Ince was an industrious central midfield player with a reputation for breaking up play.

On a minutes-per-card basis, Ince would be a bit higher on this list. Many with more cautions played far more matches in the Premier League, partly because of Ince’s two-year stint with Inter. 

Richard Dunne – 74

Accompanying his 74 yellows, Richard Dunne was also given his marching orders a joint-record eight times.

The former Republic of Ireland international amassed well over 400 appearances in the topflight, with over 250 of those coming in the sky blue of Manchester City. 

Dunne was club captain at City prior to ownership change. He was one of the most consistent performers in Premier League betting for several seasons, helping to keep the club in the league.

He then joined Aston Villa for a few years and ended his career at QPR. 

Ashley Young – 75

First breaking through in the Premier League as a tearaway winger, Ashley Young has adapted throughout his career.

Pushed to wing-back at Manchester United, Young then moved to Inter for a season before returning to Aston Villa, where he had become a star 10 years before.

Young continues to climb this list, with five cautions since re-signing with the Villains in 2021. 

Gavin McCann – 75 

A one-cap wonder with England, Gavin McCann was a regular for Sunderland, Aston Villa and Bolton in the Premier League. McCann averaged a yellow every 318 minutes in the topflight.

Hard-working and often playing for struggling sides, it’s no surprise McCann racked up the bookings.

He was charged with making life difficult for his opponents, and was never afraid of a challenge. 

Patrick Vieira – 76

Tied with Dunne for the ‘honour’ of having the most red cards in Premier League history, Patrick Vieira is one of the greatest players of his generation.

The Frenchman did it all at Arsenal, a talismanic leader with the ability to dominate against any midfielder in the world.

Vieira paired technical ability and tactical nous with the physical frame and aggressive attitude to flourish in the Premier League.

Standing at 6’4, he was an imposing figure in the middle of the park, and brought steel to those brilliant Arsenal sides. 

Nicky Butt – 77 

Nicky Butt was involved in numerous Manchester United sides which were favoured in betting odds.

His role at Old Trafford waned from regular starter to that of a squad player, who filled in for injured starters or came on late on to cling to a lead. 

Butt forced a move from Old Trafford in 2004, racking up 117 league appearances for Newcastle United. 

Joey Barton – 78 

The yellow card count tells a small part of Joey Barton’s disciplinary record in the Premier League. It would be an understatement to say Barton is a controversial character.

Barton infamously lost his head during QPR’s decisive match against Manchester City in 2012 (an event which was later overshadowed by Sergio Aguero’s title-winning goal).

His managers have at times criticised his physical approach on the pitch, which leads to a very high number of fouls and an average of a yellow card roughly every three matches. 

Phil Bardsley – 79 

Phil Bardsley is a true journeyman, clocking Premier League appearances for Burnley, Stoke, Aston Villa, Sunderland and Manchester United.

With a good engine to provide overlapping runs in his peak, Bardsley defended in an old-school manner with a penchant for crushing challenges on opposing wingers.

He didn’t have the nimblest of feet, making him vulnerable to the trickier wide players.

The 79 yellow cards in just 303 Premier League appearances reflects his approach to defending, and the defensive set up of many of the teams he featured for. 

Mark Noble – 82

Mark Noble is a one-club man, making all 414 of his Premier League appearances for West Ham. Of players to play for just one Premier League club, only five made more appearances.

An iconic figure for Hammers fans, Noble worked tirelessly in midfield, and never shirked responsibility. 

He was utilised in different roles throughout his career, but spent much of his time at the base of midfield.

West Ham had some turbulent spells while Noble was at the club, and often found themselves concerned about relegation. Their circumstances heighten the risk of yellow cards. 

Phil Neville – 82 

Just 10 players have made more Premier League appearances than Phil Neville.

Operating as a full-back early in his career and predominantly in defensive midfield later on, it is hardly surprising that a player with his appearance tally worked his way into the referee’s notebook so often. 

There was nothing spectacular about Neville’s game, but he was generally a consistent performer and took on a leadership role at Everton after leaving Manchester United in 2005.

Kevin Nolan – 85

Often at the centre of upsets in EPL tips, Kevin Nolan was a reliable Premier League player throughout his career.

His runs from midfield helped his teams secure many improbable victories, and his physicality made him a nuisance to play against.

Impactful with Bolton, Newcastle and West Ham, Nolan was arguably unlucky to never get an England call-up. He holds the record for the most Premier League appearances without an England cap.

George Boateng – 85

Despite starting out in the Netherlands, George Boateng spent most of his career in the Premier League.

A stalwart of some very competitive Aston Villa and Middlesbrough sides, Boateng had great responsibility in midfield. With that responsibility, a healthy yellow card tally was inevitable.

Lee Cattermole – 88

Reaching 88 yellows in 271 appearances is sort of impressive. That’s what Lee Cattermole managed to do with his brand of robust tackling and ferociousness competitiveness.

The former Sunderland midfielder has by far the fewest appearances of the players featuring in this article.

Robbie Savage – 89

Once the record holder in this category, Robbie Savage’s hyperactive midfield style was as divisive as his punditry.

He covered a lot of ground for Leicester, Birmingham, Blackburn and Derby.

There were moments of controversy throughout his career, and yellow cards felt like a weekly occurrence, but Savage was remarkably only sent off once in the Premier League.

Scott Parker – 92

From Charlton to Chelsea, Tottenham, West Ham, Fulham and Newcastle, Scott Parker was the ultimate Premier League journeyman. No fan base could ever question his work ethic.

After playing with a bit more freedom as a younger player, he settled into the role of midfield stopper. That meant lots of hard tackles and breaking up attacks.

Yellow cards were a natural consequence, though Parker was almost always fair.

Paul Scholes – 97

Paul Scholes was great at a lot of things. Some would say he’s the best midfielder of the Premier League era.

Tackling, though, was not his forte. It didn’t stop him throwing himself into them. He was always committed and sometimes aggressive when going for the ball.

The Manchester United star was perhaps fortunate not to pick up even more cards.

Kevin Davies – 99

There are a lot of adjectives to describe Kevin Davies’ centre forward play. Bruising? Yep. Physical? Definitely. Agricultural? Sometimes.

Target men are always vulnerable to the odd yellow. Davies’ style of play, and the reputation that developed, meant it was more than the ‘odd yellow’.

The next most yellows for a pure centre forward is Mark Hughes with 70.

Lee Bowyer – 99

No one will be surprised to see Lee Bowyer listed here. Bowyer was combative in the middle third, and never shied away from a tackle.

He was also involved in one of the most infamous moments in Premier League history when he ended up in a fight with his then-teammate Kieron Dyer.

Wayne Rooney – 102

Wayne Rooney covered every inch of the pitch. He was a flat-out footballer, he lunged into challenges and didn’t even know what ‘half-hearted’ meant. This naturally meant a few yellow cards were picked up along the way.

While he has goal scoring records galore, Rooney stood out for his love of the ugly stuff. His work rate was second to none for a player in his role, but occasional suspensions were a frustrating price to pay.

Gareth Barry – 123

The all-time leader with 653 Premier League appearances, Gareth Barry sits miles clear with 123 yellow cards. It’s not exactly surprising that he’s top of this list given his longevity and role.

Evolving from left-back to a defensive midfielder, Barry was underrated throughout his career. Picking up bookings was inevitable with what his managers asked him to do in front of the defence.

Most yellow cards in a Premier League season:

The most yellow cards in a single Premier League season is 14. This ‘feat’ has been achieved on eight separate occasions, the most recent of which was Etienne Capoue for Watford in the 2018/19 campaign.

Such a prolific season in the referee’s notebook doesn’t usually align with being one of the best fantasy football players. Jose Holebas was useful in FPL, though, and the Greek wing-back picked up 14 yellows a couple of seasons before Capoue.

The six others to receive 14 cautions in a campaign are Lee Cattermole, Cheick Tiote, Paul Ince, Robbie Savage, Mark Hughes, Olivier Dacourt.

Most yellow cards shown in a Premier League match:

The most yellow cards handed out in a Premier League match is 12. This has happened three times, and one of those matches also featured a team record.

Tottenham picked up nine cautions against Chelsea in 2016, which is the most yellows for a team in one match in Premier League history.

This match, of course, saw the Premier League trophy head to the King Power Stadium and kicked off Vardy Party.

Chelsea featured in the first Premier League match with 12 yellows. It was again against an historic rival as the Blues matched up with Leeds in October 1998.

We had to wait 12 years for another match with as many cautions, which took place between Wolves and Newcastle in August of 2010.

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*Credit for the main photo belongs to Jon Super / AP Photo*

 

FIRST PUBLISHED: 9th August 2021