It’s that time of year again. Manchester City has secured their third consecutive Premier League title, Erling Haaland has claimed numerous prestigious awards, and Kevin De Bruyne has once again proven his mastery on the pitch. While we could delve into the traditional awards, let’s take a more creative approach.
In this article, we will explore the alternative Premier League awards of the 2022-23 season. From the “sweepiest” goalkeeper to the fastest shot and more, we’ll uncover the hidden gems that made this season truly special.
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Most Improved Team
Let’s start with the “most improved” category. Newcastle United takes the spotlight, showing the most significant improvement in their points tally compared to the previous season. Under the guidance of Eddie Howe, Newcastle earned 22 more points in the current campaign, securing a top-four finish and a spot in the Champions League for the first time in nearly two decades. On the other hand, Chelsea experienced a decline, gathering 30 fewer points than the previous season.
The Greatest Variety of Goals
Now, let’s talk about goals. Brighton, Brentford, and Southampton showcased their versatility by scoring goals from various categories, including open play, corners, direct and indirect free kicks, penalties, throw-ins, and counter-attacks. Brighton, in particular, displayed a homogenous style, with 78% of their goals originating from open play. Interestingly, Arsenal and Manchester United failed to score from direct free kicks throughout the entire season.
Most Goals from Throw-ins
Attacking throw-ins present an underutilized opportunity on the pitch. However, teams are beginning to recognize their value. Brentford, Southampton, and Nottingham Forest have embraced the significance of this set-piece tactic. Forest’s Moussa Niakhate, in particular, impressed with three goals scored from throw-ins, contributing to 8% of their total tally.
Most Overperformed Expected Goals (xG)
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Now, let’s shift our focus to individual performances. Harry Kane emerges as the player who has overperformed his expected goals (xG) the most this season. Despite Tottenham’s struggles, Kane has excelled, surpassing both Jimmy Greaves as Tottenham’s leading goalscorer and becoming England’s top goalscorer. His consistency is commendable, as he became the first player to score in 25 different matches in a single 38-game season.
Most Underperformed Expected Goals (xG)
Unfortunately, not all players have thrived in front of goal. Kai Havertz of Chelsea takes the award for the largest difference below expectation in terms of goals scored. With only six non-penalty goals from an xG of 10.8, Havertz’s output fell short of expectations. Everton, as a team, also underperformed their xG this season.
Fastest Shot
While perhaps a trivial statistic, the fastest shot of the season is a fun one to discuss. Kevin De Bruyne claims this award, with his strike against Bournemouth registering an impressive speed of 85.8mph. Marcus Rashford’s shot against Tottenham comes in second, nearly 10mph slower than De Bruyne’s thunderous effort.
Best Shot-stopper
David de Gea of Manchester United may have won the Premier League’s Golden Glove award with the most clean sheets, but Bernd Leno of Fulham takes the title for the best shot-stopping season. Leno prevented almost 12 goals more than expected, showcasing his exceptional skills between the posts. Liverpool’s Alisson deserves a special mention for his impressive goals-prevented rate.
Sweepiest Goalkeeper
Liverpool’s Alisson, known for his sweeping abilities, claims yet another accolade. With an average of 2.4 sweeper actions per 90, Alisson tops the charts in this category. Aston Villa’s Emi Martinez and Newcastle’s Nick Pope also demonstrate their prowess, pushing Alisson to the limit in this tightly contested race.
Most Effective at Set Pieces
Set pieces play a crucial role in modern football. Tottenham Hotspur stands out as the most prolific team at converting their set-piece opportunities. With a dedicated set-piece coach, Spurs have excelled in this aspect of the game, scoring 16 goals from these situations. On the other hand, Brighton struggled to capitalize on their set-piece chances, taking an average of 42.3 plays before finding the back of the net.
Worst at Defending Set Pieces
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Brighton’s defensive struggles continue as they also receive the award for the fewest set pieces per goal conceded. Opponents only needed an average of 16.4 opportunities to breach Brighton’s defense. In contrast, Everton showcased their defensive strength, forcing opponents to create 40.3 chances before scoring from set pieces.
Most Focused on a Particular Attacking Flank
Each Premier League side has its preferred attacking approach. From our analysis, we find that Wolverhampton Wanderers heavily rely on the right channel, exploiting the talents of Adama Traore. Fulham and West Ham, on the other hand, exhibit a left-dominant strategy. Brighton stands out as the most likely team to enter the final third through the central channel, emphasizing their possession-based style.
Most Passes Under Pressure
Manchester City’s Rodri demonstrates his composure and passing ability under pressure. With the most passes made under pressure per 90 minutes, Rodri’s precise distribution contributes significantly to City’s success. His 86% pass completion rate further solidifies his status as an indispensable player for the team.
Most Fouls Committed
Leeds United has once again claimed the unwanted title of the team committing the most fouls in the Premier League. However, when considering possession, Brighton emerges as the team with the highest rate of fouls per 1,000 opponent touches. Everton and Chelsea, meanwhile, have the lowest rate of fouls before receiving a yellow card.
Most Settled Team
Lastly, Arsenal, under the guidance of Mikel Arteta, wins the award for the most settled team of the season. Arteta named an unchanged starting lineup on 13 occasions, showcasing his trust in the players’ abilities. Despite injuries hindering their title aspirations, Arsenal’s consistency played a crucial role in their memorable season. Brentford, Manchester City, and Chelsea, on the other hand, never named the same starting XI throughout the entire campaign.
As we conclude the alternative Premier League awards, we highlight the exciting players, tactics, and moments that made this season truly unforgettable. While the traditional awards celebrate individual achievements, these hidden gems shine a light on the intricacies and nuances of the beautiful game.
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Danh mục: Sport
