Opta Analyst
@optaanalyst.optajoe.com
Data-driven storytelling for sport. 📈
U.S. sports @optaanalystus.optajoe.com
https://www.theanalyst.com
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U.S. sports @optaanalystus.optajoe.com
https://www.theanalyst.com
Sign up for our Stat, Viz, Quiz football newsletter: http://theanalyst.com/sign-up
𝐅𝐓: 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝟒-𝟑 𝐋𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬
An astonishing game.
Harvey Barnes' decider was the latest (101:48) winning goal on record in the Premier League, and the joint-second latest of all goals.
An astonishing game.
Harvey Barnes' decider was the latest (101:48) winning goal on record in the Premier League, and the joint-second latest of all goals.
January 7, 2026 at 10:41 PM
𝐅𝐓: 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝟒-𝟑 𝐋𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬
An astonishing game.
Harvey Barnes' decider was the latest (101:48) winning goal on record in the Premier League, and the joint-second latest of all goals.
An astonishing game.
Harvey Barnes' decider was the latest (101:48) winning goal on record in the Premier League, and the joint-second latest of all goals.
𝐅𝐓: 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝟐-𝟐 𝐌𝐚𝐧 𝐔𝐭𝐝
Life after Ruben Amorim begins with a frustrating draw away to struggling Burnley.
United miss the chance to go fourth despite dominating at Turf Moor.
Get all the key stats and our recap here:
theanalyst.com/articles/bur...
Life after Ruben Amorim begins with a frustrating draw away to struggling Burnley.
United miss the chance to go fourth despite dominating at Turf Moor.
Get all the key stats and our recap here:
theanalyst.com/articles/bur...
January 7, 2026 at 10:36 PM
𝐅𝐓: 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝟐-𝟐 𝐌𝐚𝐧 𝐔𝐭𝐝
Life after Ruben Amorim begins with a frustrating draw away to struggling Burnley.
United miss the chance to go fourth despite dominating at Turf Moor.
Get all the key stats and our recap here:
theanalyst.com/articles/bur...
Life after Ruben Amorim begins with a frustrating draw away to struggling Burnley.
United miss the chance to go fourth despite dominating at Turf Moor.
Get all the key stats and our recap here:
theanalyst.com/articles/bur...
𝐅𝐓: 𝐌𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝟏-𝟏 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐨𝐧
City drop points for the third game in a row despite creating a host of chances.
It means Arsenal can go eight points clear at the summit with a win on Thursday.
Get all the key stats and our recap here:
theanalyst.com/articles/man...
City drop points for the third game in a row despite creating a host of chances.
It means Arsenal can go eight points clear at the summit with a win on Thursday.
Get all the key stats and our recap here:
theanalyst.com/articles/man...
January 7, 2026 at 9:41 PM
𝐅𝐓: 𝐌𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝟏-𝟏 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐨𝐧
City drop points for the third game in a row despite creating a host of chances.
It means Arsenal can go eight points clear at the summit with a win on Thursday.
Get all the key stats and our recap here:
theanalyst.com/articles/man...
City drop points for the third game in a row despite creating a host of chances.
It means Arsenal can go eight points clear at the summit with a win on Thursday.
Get all the key stats and our recap here:
theanalyst.com/articles/man...
Darren Fletcher's Man Utd trail at the break to a freak Ayden Heaven own goal.
United have had one goal disallowed and seen two goal-bound efforts cleared off the line in a first half they've largely dominated.
United have had one goal disallowed and seen two goal-bound efforts cleared off the line in a first half they've largely dominated.
January 7, 2026 at 9:07 PM
Darren Fletcher's Man Utd trail at the break to a freak Ayden Heaven own goal.
United have had one goal disallowed and seen two goal-bound efforts cleared off the line in a first half they've largely dominated.
United have had one goal disallowed and seen two goal-bound efforts cleared off the line in a first half they've largely dominated.
Eli Kroupi Jr. is the first teenager to score seven or more goals in their debut Premier League season since Dele Alli in 2015-16 (8).
January 7, 2026 at 8:21 PM
Eli Kroupi Jr. is the first teenager to score seven or more goals in their debut Premier League season since Dele Alli in 2015-16 (8).
Chelsea have received more than twice as many red cards in the Premier League as any other team this season.
Their seasonal record in the Premier League era is six (2007-08).
Their seasonal record in the Premier League era is six (2007-08).
January 7, 2026 at 8:04 PM
Chelsea have received more than twice as many red cards in the Premier League as any other team this season.
Their seasonal record in the Premier League era is six (2007-08).
Their seasonal record in the Premier League era is six (2007-08).
With Ruben Amorim out, it looks like a swift return to a back four for Manchester United.
Darren Fletcher only names one of his sons - Jack - on the bench. Maybe Tyler didn't tidy his bedroom?
Darren Fletcher only names one of his sons - Jack - on the bench. Maybe Tyler didn't tidy his bedroom?
January 7, 2026 at 7:18 PM
With Ruben Amorim out, it looks like a swift return to a back four for Manchester United.
Darren Fletcher only names one of his sons - Jack - on the bench. Maybe Tyler didn't tidy his bedroom?
Darren Fletcher only names one of his sons - Jack - on the bench. Maybe Tyler didn't tidy his bedroom?
𝐅𝐓: 𝐌𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝟏-𝟏 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐞𝐚
Enzo Fernández’s goal (93:14) was the latest equaliser or winner Man City have conceded at home in the Premier League since December 2023.
A deserved point for Chelsea? Get all the key stats and recap here: theanalyst.com/articles/man...
Enzo Fernández’s goal (93:14) was the latest equaliser or winner Man City have conceded at home in the Premier League since December 2023.
A deserved point for Chelsea? Get all the key stats and recap here: theanalyst.com/articles/man...
January 4, 2026 at 7:54 PM
𝐅𝐓: 𝐌𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝟏-𝟏 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐞𝐚
Enzo Fernández’s goal (93:14) was the latest equaliser or winner Man City have conceded at home in the Premier League since December 2023.
A deserved point for Chelsea? Get all the key stats and recap here: theanalyst.com/articles/man...
Enzo Fernández’s goal (93:14) was the latest equaliser or winner Man City have conceded at home in the Premier League since December 2023.
A deserved point for Chelsea? Get all the key stats and recap here: theanalyst.com/articles/man...
𝐅𝐓: 𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐡𝐚𝐦 𝟐-𝟐 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐨𝐥
Liverpool thought they'd won it, but Harrison Reed's long-range stunner in stoppage time earned Fulham a point.
It's now 8 unbeaten in the PL for Liverpool, though 4 of those have been draws.
Liverpool thought they'd won it, but Harrison Reed's long-range stunner in stoppage time earned Fulham a point.
It's now 8 unbeaten in the PL for Liverpool, though 4 of those have been draws.
January 4, 2026 at 5:29 PM
𝐅𝐓: 𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐡𝐚𝐦 𝟐-𝟐 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐨𝐥
Liverpool thought they'd won it, but Harrison Reed's long-range stunner in stoppage time earned Fulham a point.
It's now 8 unbeaten in the PL for Liverpool, though 4 of those have been draws.
Liverpool thought they'd won it, but Harrison Reed's long-range stunner in stoppage time earned Fulham a point.
It's now 8 unbeaten in the PL for Liverpool, though 4 of those have been draws.
𝐅𝐓: 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝟐-𝟎 𝐂𝐫𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞
Crystal Palace's slide down the table continues with a fourth league defeat in five games.
Newcastle are now unbeaten in seven home league games (W5 D2), scoring exactly two goals in each match during that run.
Crystal Palace's slide down the table continues with a fourth league defeat in five games.
Newcastle are now unbeaten in seven home league games (W5 D2), scoring exactly two goals in each match during that run.
January 4, 2026 at 5:19 PM
𝐅𝐓: 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝟐-𝟎 𝐂𝐫𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞
Crystal Palace's slide down the table continues with a fourth league defeat in five games.
Newcastle are now unbeaten in seven home league games (W5 D2), scoring exactly two goals in each match during that run.
Crystal Palace's slide down the table continues with a fourth league defeat in five games.
Newcastle are now unbeaten in seven home league games (W5 D2), scoring exactly two goals in each match during that run.
𝐅𝐓: 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝟐-𝟒 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐝
Igor Thiago stole the headlines with his hat-trick, as Brentford extended their unbeaten run to five Premier League games to go seventh.
Everton have now conceded 3+ goals in three of their last six home league matches.
Igor Thiago stole the headlines with his hat-trick, as Brentford extended their unbeaten run to five Premier League games to go seventh.
Everton have now conceded 3+ goals in three of their last six home league matches.
January 4, 2026 at 5:13 PM
𝐅𝐓: 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝟐-𝟒 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐝
Igor Thiago stole the headlines with his hat-trick, as Brentford extended their unbeaten run to five Premier League games to go seventh.
Everton have now conceded 3+ goals in three of their last six home league matches.
Igor Thiago stole the headlines with his hat-trick, as Brentford extended their unbeaten run to five Premier League games to go seventh.
Everton have now conceded 3+ goals in three of their last six home league matches.
𝐅𝐓: 𝐓𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐦 𝟏-𝟏 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝
Spurs have taken just nine points from their 10 home Premier League games this season; only current bottom three have fewer.
Spurs have taken just nine points from their 10 home Premier League games this season; only current bottom three have fewer.
January 4, 2026 at 5:05 PM
𝐅𝐓: 𝐓𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐦 𝟏-𝟏 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝
Spurs have taken just nine points from their 10 home Premier League games this season; only current bottom three have fewer.
Spurs have taken just nine points from their 10 home Premier League games this season; only current bottom three have fewer.
Igor Thiago becomes the seventh Brazilian to score a Premier League hat-trick.
The last Brazilian to net a treble in the PL was Matheus Cunha in February 2024.
The last Brazilian to net a treble in the PL was Matheus Cunha in February 2024.
January 4, 2026 at 4:57 PM
Igor Thiago becomes the seventh Brazilian to score a Premier League hat-trick.
The last Brazilian to net a treble in the PL was Matheus Cunha in February 2024.
The last Brazilian to net a treble in the PL was Matheus Cunha in February 2024.
Jack Grealish's assist for Beto was the winger's first in the Premier League since August, ending a run of 14 top-flight appearances without setting up a teammate for a goal.
January 4, 2026 at 4:40 PM
Jack Grealish's assist for Beto was the winger's first in the Premier League since August, ending a run of 14 top-flight appearances without setting up a teammate for a goal.
Brentford have scored three goals away from home in the Premier League for the first time since last February (vs Leicester).
The last time they scored 3+ goals in the Premier League vs a team who weren't relegated was April 2024 (vs Aston Villa).
The last time they scored 3+ goals in the Premier League vs a team who weren't relegated was April 2024 (vs Aston Villa).
January 4, 2026 at 4:23 PM
Brentford have scored three goals away from home in the Premier League for the first time since last February (vs Leicester).
The last time they scored 3+ goals in the Premier League vs a team who weren't relegated was April 2024 (vs Aston Villa).
The last time they scored 3+ goals in the Premier League vs a team who weren't relegated was April 2024 (vs Aston Villa).
Harry Wilson's purple patch continues with a goal against former club Liverpool.
Since the start of November, only Erling Haaland has had more Premier League goal involvements than Wilson.
Since the start of November, only Erling Haaland has had more Premier League goal involvements than Wilson.
January 4, 2026 at 3:47 PM
Harry Wilson's purple patch continues with a goal against former club Liverpool.
Since the start of November, only Erling Haaland has had more Premier League goal involvements than Wilson.
Since the start of November, only Erling Haaland has had more Premier League goal involvements than Wilson.
Igor Thiago is now on 12 Premier League goals this season.
The most PL goals ever scored in a single season by a Brazilian is 15 (Matheus Cunha in 2024-25, Gabriel Martinelli in 2022-23 and Roberto Firmino in 2017-18) 🇧🇷
The most PL goals ever scored in a single season by a Brazilian is 15 (Matheus Cunha in 2024-25, Gabriel Martinelli in 2022-23 and Roberto Firmino in 2017-18) 🇧🇷
January 4, 2026 at 3:19 PM
Igor Thiago is now on 12 Premier League goals this season.
The most PL goals ever scored in a single season by a Brazilian is 15 (Matheus Cunha in 2024-25, Gabriel Martinelli in 2022-23 and Roberto Firmino in 2017-18) 🇧🇷
The most PL goals ever scored in a single season by a Brazilian is 15 (Matheus Cunha in 2024-25, Gabriel Martinelli in 2022-23 and Roberto Firmino in 2017-18) 🇧🇷
𝐅𝐓: 𝐋𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝟏-𝟏 𝐌𝐚𝐧 𝐔𝐭𝐝
Leeds denied a first league win over Man Utd since September 2002.
Matheus Cunha salvaged a point that moves Man Utd up to fifth for at least a few hours.
Get all the key stats and our recap here: theanalyst.com/articles/lee...
Leeds denied a first league win over Man Utd since September 2002.
Matheus Cunha salvaged a point that moves Man Utd up to fifth for at least a few hours.
Get all the key stats and our recap here: theanalyst.com/articles/lee...
January 4, 2026 at 2:45 PM
𝐅𝐓: 𝐋𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝟏-𝟏 𝐌𝐚𝐧 𝐔𝐭𝐝
Leeds denied a first league win over Man Utd since September 2002.
Matheus Cunha salvaged a point that moves Man Utd up to fifth for at least a few hours.
Get all the key stats and our recap here: theanalyst.com/articles/lee...
Leeds denied a first league win over Man Utd since September 2002.
Matheus Cunha salvaged a point that moves Man Utd up to fifth for at least a few hours.
Get all the key stats and our recap here: theanalyst.com/articles/lee...
Talk about making an impact.
Joshua Zirkzee's first pass since coming on? Setting up Matheus Cunha's equaliser.
Joshua Zirkzee's first pass since coming on? Setting up Matheus Cunha's equaliser.
January 4, 2026 at 1:54 PM
Talk about making an impact.
Joshua Zirkzee's first pass since coming on? Setting up Matheus Cunha's equaliser.
Joshua Zirkzee's first pass since coming on? Setting up Matheus Cunha's equaliser.
𝐇𝐓: 𝐋𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝟎-𝟎 𝐌𝐚𝐧 𝐔𝐭𝐝
Lots of: huffing and puffing
Not much of: quality
Lots of: huffing and puffing
Not much of: quality
January 4, 2026 at 1:18 PM
𝐇𝐓: 𝐋𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝟎-𝟎 𝐌𝐚𝐧 𝐔𝐭𝐝
Lots of: huffing and puffing
Not much of: quality
Lots of: huffing and puffing
Not much of: quality
Bournemouth 2-3 Arsenal FT
That was a big, big test for Arsenal, but they came through it.
They now win the title in a whopping 81.6% of the Opta supercomputer's simulations of the rest of the season.
That was a big, big test for Arsenal, but they came through it.
They now win the title in a whopping 81.6% of the Opta supercomputer's simulations of the rest of the season.
January 3, 2026 at 7:42 PM
Bournemouth 2-3 Arsenal FT
That was a big, big test for Arsenal, but they came through it.
They now win the title in a whopping 81.6% of the Opta supercomputer's simulations of the rest of the season.
That was a big, big test for Arsenal, but they came through it.
They now win the title in a whopping 81.6% of the Opta supercomputer's simulations of the rest of the season.
Arsenal have had only four shots since Bournemouth took the lead in the 10th minute of this match.
They've scored with three of them and now lead 3-1.
Clinical from Mikel Arteta's men.
They've scored with three of them and now lead 3-1.
Clinical from Mikel Arteta's men.
January 3, 2026 at 7:04 PM
Arsenal have had only four shots since Bournemouth took the lead in the 10th minute of this match.
They've scored with three of them and now lead 3-1.
Clinical from Mikel Arteta's men.
They've scored with three of them and now lead 3-1.
Clinical from Mikel Arteta's men.
Bournemouth 1-1 Arsenal HT
It's all square at the Vitality Stadium, and Gabriel has been responsible for both goals...
He is the first Arsenal player to score and make an error leading to an opposition goal in a Premier League game since Bukayo Saka in August 2023 (vs Fulham).
It's all square at the Vitality Stadium, and Gabriel has been responsible for both goals...
He is the first Arsenal player to score and make an error leading to an opposition goal in a Premier League game since Bukayo Saka in August 2023 (vs Fulham).
January 3, 2026 at 6:20 PM
Bournemouth 1-1 Arsenal HT
It's all square at the Vitality Stadium, and Gabriel has been responsible for both goals...
He is the first Arsenal player to score and make an error leading to an opposition goal in a Premier League game since Bukayo Saka in August 2023 (vs Fulham).
It's all square at the Vitality Stadium, and Gabriel has been responsible for both goals...
He is the first Arsenal player to score and make an error leading to an opposition goal in a Premier League game since Bukayo Saka in August 2023 (vs Fulham).
And just like that, Gabriel makes up for his mistake by scoring the equaliser.
He becomes only the second defender to reach 20 goals for Arsenal in the Premier League, after Laurent Koscielny (22).
It's another set-piece goal conceded by Bournemouth.
He becomes only the second defender to reach 20 goals for Arsenal in the Premier League, after Laurent Koscielny (22).
It's another set-piece goal conceded by Bournemouth.
January 3, 2026 at 5:51 PM
And just like that, Gabriel makes up for his mistake by scoring the equaliser.
He becomes only the second defender to reach 20 goals for Arsenal in the Premier League, after Laurent Koscielny (22).
It's another set-piece goal conceded by Bournemouth.
He becomes only the second defender to reach 20 goals for Arsenal in the Premier League, after Laurent Koscielny (22).
It's another set-piece goal conceded by Bournemouth.
Bournemouth have taken a shock lead against Arsenal after a gift from Gabriel!
Arsenal have won only one of their five away PL games in which they have conceded the opening goal this season.
Arsenal have won only one of their five away PL games in which they have conceded the opening goal this season.
January 3, 2026 at 5:45 PM
Bournemouth have taken a shock lead against Arsenal after a gift from Gabriel!
Arsenal have won only one of their five away PL games in which they have conceded the opening goal this season.
Arsenal have won only one of their five away PL games in which they have conceded the opening goal this season.