Champion cities, Man United's away form and West Ham's second-half woe... it's Martin Tyler!
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Tyler's Starting Stat - Champions confirmed
I was at Ewood Park on Saturday where not only did Manchester United clinch the title, but several individual landmarks were reached.
Rio Ferdinand made his 600th career appearance, Michael Carrick made his 150th Premier League appearance for Man Utd and Ryan Giggs made his 573rd Premier League appearance, which is a new all-time record, beating the previous one set by David James.
Wayne Rooney scored his 15th goal of the season and his 102nd in the Premier League for United, which puts him joint-second with Paul Scholes in their list of Premier League scorers. Giggs is the leader with 105.
Brett Emerton's goal was the 50th they've conceded in 58 games (all competitions) and they finish the Premier League season with just five away wins - their fewest since 1990/91 when they also won just five on the road. The match was also their 10th away draw - which is the most they've had since they drew 11 away games in 1986/87 when they finished 11th.
Meanwhile, Dimitar Berbatov started the weekend on 22 goals in all competitions, but is now down to 21 after the dubious goals panel took one off him. The panel announced their rulings from December to April and a strike against Sunderland has now been declared an Anton Ferdinand own goal and the Bulgarian is now just one ahead of Javier Hernandez (20 goals in all competitions).
Berbatov has been knocked down to 20 goals in the Premier League, but remains two ahead of Carlos Tevez in the Golden Boot race as the Manchester City forward had a goal taken away as well!
A CITY UNITED
Hi Martin, great column as always! It was a great day for Manchester on Saturday with the city picking up the Premier League and the FA Cup trophies. How many times in history have two different clubs from the same city won these two trophies? Also, has a city ever won all three domestic competitions in a single season? Thanks, Michael Ball
MARTIN SAYS: We have found at least six previous instances of two different clubs from the same city winning the FA Cup and the league championship in the same season. Liverpool and Everton have shared the domestic trophies between them on three occasions, while, as you can see from the table below, London clubs have also achieved the feat.
Furthermore, this is not the first time the two Manchester clubs have claimed the two major domestic trophies in the same season. Back in 1955/56, United won the league and City won the Cup, just as they did this season. Please note, we have not counted the 11 seasons when the Double was achieved in our list.
Different clubs from the same city winning the league and the FA Cup in the same season:
| Season | Champions | FA Cup winners |
| 1905/06 | Liverpool | Everton |
| 1955/56 | Man Utd | Man City |
| 1965/66 | Liverpool | Everton |
| 1983/84 | Liverpool | Everton |
| 1990/91 | Arsenal | Tottenham |
| 2004/05 | Chelsea | Arsenal |
| 2010/11 | Man Utd | Man City |
NB: Some of you might point to the 1919/20 season when West Brom won the league and Aston Villa won the FA Cup. I haven't included this because West Bromwich is officially part of Sandwell and isn't considered part of the city of Birmingham.
To answer your other question, there have been four occasions when all three domestic trophies, including the League Cup, have gone to the same city. However, we have never seen an instance of them being shared between three clubs from the same city (although in theory only London could possibly achieve such a feat):
| Season | Champions | FA Cup winners | League Cup winners |
| 1970/71 | Arsenal | Arsenal | Tottenham |
| 1983/84 | Liverpool | Everton | Liverpool |
| 1997/98 | Arsenal | Arsenal | Chelsea |
| 2004/05 | Chelsea | Arsenal | Chelsea |
AWAY AT THE TOP
Martin, now that the title race is over and Manchester United have completed their away schedule, do they have the worst away record of any Premier League champions in terms of points, wins and losses? Could you also give a summary of the away records of past champions as a comparison? Many Thanks, Matthew Blive (Arsenal fan)
MARTIN SAYS: Our friends at Opta have looked into this for you and in terms of wins and points, this Manchester United side have the worst away record of any of the previous Premier League champions. They have picked up just 25 points on the road, an average of 1.32 points per game. The previous low was the Arsenal side of 1997/98, which picked up six more points and averaged 1.71 points per game. Furthermore, United have won just five of their 19 away games which beats the previous title-winners' low of eight away wins. However, this team did score more goals on the road than five of the previous 19 champions.
The last team to win the league with just five away wins was Liverpool in 1977 - and interestingly they also won the European Cup that year.
Only two title-winning sides have gone through a campaign unbeaten on the road - that was the Arsenal teams of 2001/02 and 2003/04 - but the best away record in Premier League history belongs to Chelsea's champions of 2004/05. Jose Mourinho's men won 15 of their 19 away games and picked up 48 points.
Premier League title winners - away records:
| Team | Season | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS | PTS/game |
| Chelsea | 2004/05 | 19 | 15 | 3 | 1 | 37 | 9 | 28 | 48 | 2.53 |
| Arsenal | 2001/02 | 19 | 14 | 5 | 0 | 37 | 11 | 26 | 47 | 2.47 |
| Manchester United | 2006/07 | 19 | 13 | 3 | 3 | 37 | 15 | 22 | 42 | 2.21 |
| Manchester United | 1999/00 | 19 | 13 | 3 | 3 | 38 | 29 | 9 | 42 | 2.21 |
| Arsenal | 2003/04 | 19 | 11 | 8 | 0 | 33 | 12 | 21 | 41 | 2.16 |
| Manchester United | 2008/09 | 19 | 12 | 4 | 3 | 25 | 11 | 14 | 40 | 2.11 |
| Manchester United | 1993/94 | 21 | 13 | 5 | 3 | 41 | 25 | 16 | 44 | 2.10 |
| Chelsea | 2005/06 | 19 | 11 | 3 | 5 | 25 | 13 | 12 | 36 | 1.89 |
| Manchester United | 2007/08 | 19 | 10 | 5 | 4 | 33 | 15 | 18 | 35 | 1.84 |
| Chelsea | 2009/10 | 19 | 10 | 4 | 5 | 35 | 18 | 17 | 34 | 1.79 |
| Manchester United | 1996/97 | 19 | 9 | 7 | 3 | 38 | 27 | 11 | 34 | 1.79 |
| Manchester United | 1992/93 | 21 | 10 | 7 | 4 | 28 | 17 | 11 | 37 | 1.76 |
| Manchester United | 1998/99 | 19 | 8 | 9 | 2 | 35 | 19 | 16 | 33 | 1.74 |
| Manchester United | 1995/96 | 19 | 10 | 3 | 6 | 37 | 26 | 11 | 33 | 1.74 |
| Manchester United | 2000/01 | 19 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 30 | 19 | 11 | 33 | 1.74 |
| Manchester United | 2002/03 | 19 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 32 | 22 | 10 | 33 | 1.74 |
| Blackburn | 1994/95 | 21 | 10 | 6 | 5 | 26 | 18 | 8 | 36 | 1.71 |
| Arsenal | 1997/98 | 19 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 25 | 23 | 2 | 31 | 1.63 |
| Manchester United | 2010/11 | 19 | 5 | 10 | 4 | 29 | 25 | 4 | 25 | 1.32 |
| | | | | | | | | | |
POINTS POSER
Dear Martin, You are the voice of the Premiership! I love your column, it's a great read! I was looking at the Premier League table this season and with so many teams dropping points against each other, it got me thinking is this the lowest points total for the Premier League? For instance, last year's points total of the league was 1035 points! So therefore could you tell me which is the highest total and which is lowest since the league went to 20 teams? Mustafa Tary (Chelsea fan)
MARTIN SAYS: Thanks for the question, Mustafa. Last season's points total of 1035 was not the lowest since the Premier League was reduced to 20 teams at the start of 1995-96 campaign. That accolade goes to the 1996-97 season when the total number of points amassed was 1018.
This was the year in which Middlesbrough were deducted three points for failing to fulfil a fixture against Blackburn. But if the Teessiders had not been hit with that penalty, the total would still have been the lowest in the history of 20-team Premier League at 1021 - four fewer than the 1998-99 sum of 1025.
In theory, the 2010-11 season could break that record. I am writing this ahead of Manchester City's midweek game with Stoke and if the remaining 11 matches end in draws this campaign's grand total will be 1020, though that is highly unlikely.
The highest possible total this term - if there are 11 victories from the remaining 11 matches - will be 1031, which would still be the third lowest in history, behind 1996-97 and the 1998-99 sum of 1025 points. That shows there have been more draws than usual this year.
The highest total in history was in 2005-06 when 1063 points were accumulated, followed by 2002-03 (1050) and 1999-00 (1048).
Points totals in the Premier League:
2010-11: 998 (at present)
2009-10: 1035*
2008-09: 1043
2007-08: 1040
2006-07: 1042
2005-06: 1063
2004-05: 1030
2003-04: 1032
2002-03: 1050
2001-02: 1039
2000-01: 1039
1999-00: 1048
1998-99: 1025
1997-98: 1045
1996-97: 1018**
1995-96: 1042
* total would have been 1044 if Pompey weren't deducted nine points for entering administration
** total would have been 1021 if Middlesbrough weren't deducted three points for failing to fulfil a fixture
HALF-TIME HAMMERS
Dear Martin, Love both your column and your commentary. After watching my treasured West Ham surrender a half-time lead yet again against Wigan (to get relegated!), I wondered what the Premier League table would look like if all the games finished at half-time? Would we have stayed up? Thanks, Ronnie Jones, West Ham fan.
MARTIN SAYS: Yes Ronnie, if games finished at half-time then West Ham would be on 42 points - and would now be safe from relegation.
As the table below shows, the bottom three would be made up of West Brom, Wigan and FA Cup finalists Stoke, a vast difference for the Baggies and the Potters who are sitting comfortably in mid-table. In fact, West Brom would have just 32 points based on their half-time performances.
Both Sunderland and Wolves would be residing in the top half of the division in seventh and ninth respectively, but the most dramatic movers would be Blackburn.
Rovers head into their final Premier League game of the season still in danger of suffering relegation, but if matches ended after the opening period then Steve Kean's men would be in a Champions League spot!
Some things do stay the same, though - the league title would still be headed back to Old Trafford which proves that Sir Alex Ferguson's men don't always save their best for the latter stages of games!
| Team | Played | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS |
| Manchester United | 37 | 20 | 12 | 5 | 33 | 12 | 21 | 72 |
| Manchester City | 36 | 17 | 13 | 6 | 31 | 13 | 18 | 64 |
| Arsenal | 37 | 17 | 12 | 8 | 33 | 17 | 16 | 63 |
| Blackburn | 37 | 13 | 19 | 5 | 20 | 15 | 5 | 58 |
| Chelsea | 37 | 14 | 15 | 8 | 31 | 19 | 12 | 57 |
| Sunderland | 37 | 14 | 14 | 9 | 26 | 14 | 12 | 56 |
| Liverpool | 37 | 10 | 19 | 8 | 20 | 20 | 0 | 49 |
| Aston Villa | 37 | 11 | 16 | 10 | 22 | 26 | -4 | 49 |
| Wolves | 37 | 13 | 10 | 14 | 22 | 28 | -6 | 49 |
| Tottenham | 37 | 10 | 18 | 9 | 25 | 25 | 0 | 48 |
| Newcastle | 37 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 25 | 27 | -2 | 46 |
| Bolton | 37 | 9 | 16 | 12 | 18 | 20 | -2 | 43 |
| Blackpool | 37 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 27 | 34 | -7 | 43 |
| Everton | 37 | 9 | 15 | 13 | 23 | 23 | 0 | 42 |
| West Ham | 37 | 10 | 12 | 15 | 21 | 29 | -8 | 42 |
| Fulham | 37 | 10 | 11 | 16 | 18 | 26 | -8 | 41 |
| Birmingham | 37 | 8 | 17 | 12 | 14 | 23 | -9 | 41 |
| Stoke | 36 | 6 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 25 | -10 | 33 |
| Wigan | 37 | 5 | 18 | 14 | 15 | 25 | -10 | 33 |
| West Brom | 37 | 6 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 34 | -18 | 32 |
| | | | | | | | |
SIGNING OF THE SEASON
Hi Martin, can you settle a debate between me and my cousins please? We want to know who has been the best signing this season in the Premier League based on how many points they've won their teams. I'm a Villa fan and I reckon Darren Bent, but my cousins think Javier Hernandez has been the best. I'd also like you to look at Rafael Van der Vaart for Spurs and Peter Odemwingie for West Brom. Where would they be without the goals of those players? David Byrd (Aston Villa fan).
MARTIN SAYS: It all depends on what you constitute as better; saving a team from relegation or winning the title? I think I'll let you decide that but with a little bit of help from Opta we've looked at the four players you mention, and how many points they've earned their respective teams.
As you rightly pointed out, Darren Bent has been in excellent form since arriving at Villa Park in January. The England striker has scored nine goals for Gerard Houllier's men and those goals have accounted for nine points. Without his goals Villa would currently be 19th in the table with just 36 points, three points from safety.
In comparison Manchester United would be 14 points worse off without Hernandez's goals this season and nowhere near the summit of the Premier League. The Mexican has scored 13 times in his debut season, and if you subtract his goals then the Red Devils would be fourth in the table on 63 points behind neighbours Manchester City.
Rafael Van der Vaart has also hit the back of the net 13 times this season in an impressive debut campaign and Spurs would be 13 points worse off at this point and in mid-table had it not been for his goals. They'd be on 46 points along with Bolton and West Brom.
However, if we're judging the players purely on points gained for their teams then it's hard to look past Peter Odemwingie. West Bromwich Albion are comfortably sitting in 11th in the table, but would be 17 points worse off and heading back to the Championship had it not been for the Nigeria internationals 15 goals! If you discount his goals from the record then the Baggies would be rock bottom with just 29 points!
KOP CHAMPIONS
Love the column Mr Tyler, I was watching the celebrations after we won the league at Ewood Park and the camera zoomed in on Michael Owen, so I guess my question for you is, how many ex-Liverpool players have won the Premier League? Anelka comes to mind, but I can't think of anyone else. Sainath Rajagopal (Manchester Utd fan)
MARTIN SAYS: You are correct Sanith in your observation that both Michael Owen (2010/11) and Nicolas Anelka (2009/10) have gone on to win the Premier League after playing for Liverpool. However, Anelka also arrived at Anfield with a winner's medal having won the title with Arsenal in the 1997/98 season.
In total there are six men who have represented Liverpool and won a Premier League title, including two in the current squad. Both Joe Cole (2004/05, 2005/06, 2009/10) and Glen Johnson (2004/05) joined the Reds having lifted the trophy with Chelsea.
Paul Ince (1992/93, 1993/94), also arrived on Merseyside in 1997 with two medals from his days with Manchester United.
Finally, I think you can also add the name of Kenny Dalglish to the list, as the Liverpool legend won the Premier League as manager of Blackburn in 1994/95.
Tyler's teaser
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