OptaJoe's Avatar

OptaJoe

@optajoe.com

1 - The official BlueSky page for Stats Perform’s English football coverage, brought to you by OptaJoe. Illuminating.

38,197
Followers
18
Following
841
Posts
26.11.2024
Joined
Posts Following

Latest posts by OptaJoe @optajoe.com

Post image

14:59 - Atlético de Madrid's three goals against Tottenham Hotspur is the earliest a side has ever been three goals ahead in a UEFA Champions League knockout stage match. Demoralised.

10.03.2026 20:25 👍 26 🔁 4 💬 0 📌 2
Post image

12 - Liverpool has lost 12 games in all competitions this season in which they've conceded the opening goal; their most since 2015-16 (also 12). Lacklustre.

10.03.2026 19:46 👍 12 🔁 1 💬 1 📌 5
Post image

88 - Bolton Wanderers won despite being two goals down until the 88th minute today, the latest a team has been trailing by 2+ goals to win an EFL match since the 2004 rebrand. Grandstand.

07.03.2026 17:12 👍 9 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
Arsenal scored their second corner goal of the day v Chelsea.

Arsenal scored their second corner goal of the day v Chelsea.

16 - Arsenal's 16 goals from corners in the Premier League this season is the joint-most by any side in a single campaign, alongside Oldham in 1992-93, West Brom in 2016-17, and the Gunners themselves in 2023-24. Angles.

01.03.2026 18:07 👍 28 🔁 7 💬 3 📌 3
Youssef Chermiti points to his ear in response to the crowd celebrating his second goal v Celtic.

Youssef Chermiti points to his ear in response to the crowd celebrating his second goal v Celtic.

4 - Youssef Chermiti is the first Rangers player to score four league goals against Celtic in a single season since Mark Walters in 1988-89. Fantastic.

01.03.2026 12:41 👍 9 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Youssef Chermiti celebrates calmly as his teammates look in disbelief after his bicycle kick opener v Celtic.

Youssef Chermiti celebrates calmly as his teammates look in disbelief after his bicycle kick opener v Celtic.

7 - Youssef Chermiti has scored eight Scottish Premiership goals this season - seven of which have come against either 1st-placed Hearts (4) or 3rd-placed Celtic (3). Occasion.

01.03.2026 12:22 👍 8 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
Post image

28 - Only John Terry (41) has more Premier League goals among central defenders, excluding penalties, in the competition's history than Virgil van Dijk (28). Heated.

28.02.2026 15:34 👍 15 🔁 5 💬 1 📌 0
Eberechi Eze celebrates his second goal against Spurs at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for Arsenal.

Eberechi Eze celebrates his second goal against Spurs at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for Arsenal.

5 - Only Robert Pirès (7) and Emmanuel Adebayor (6) have more Premier League goals for Arsenal against Tottenham than Eberechi Eze (5), who now has as many goals in this league fixture for the Gunners as both Thierry Henry and Robin van Persie managed. Favourite.

22.02.2026 18:08 👍 127 🔁 30 💬 1 📌 9
Eberechi Eze celebrates opening the scoring for Arsenal v Spurs - as his Arsenal teammates follow him.

Eberechi Eze celebrates opening the scoring for Arsenal v Spurs - as his Arsenal teammates follow him.

4 - Eberechi Eze is only the second player to score 4+ goals in North London derbies in a league season, after Arsenal's Ted Drake in 1934-35 (5). This accounts for 80% of Eze's Arsenal goal total in the Premier League (4/5). Occasion.

22.02.2026 17:17 👍 79 🔁 13 💬 2 📌 3
Alexis Mac Allister celebrates his last-gasp winner at Nottingham Forest, arms outstretched.

Alexis Mac Allister celebrates his last-gasp winner at Nottingham Forest, arms outstretched.

7 - Liverpool have seen seven winning goals in the 90th minute (or later) in their Premier League games this season (3 for, 4 against) - the most ever by any side in a single campaign in the competition. Re-write.

22.02.2026 16:34 👍 21 🔁 3 💬 0 📌 0
Post image

879 - With Nathan Collins coming on for Brentford, James Milner has now played in the same game as all 879 players to make 100+ Premier League appearances since 2002-03. Quirky.

21.02.2026 16:06 👍 44 🔁 9 💬 0 📌 3
Post image Post image

3 - In Anton Stach (3) and Dominik Szoboszlai (3), this is the first Premier League season to see two players score at least three goals from direct free-kicks since Christian Eriksen and Jason Puncheon in 2014-15 (3 each). Range.

21.02.2026 15:46 👍 13 🔁 3 💬 2 📌 0
Post image

654 – James Milner is making his 654th Premier League appearance against Brentford, the outright most in the competition’s history. Longevity.

21.02.2026 14:07 👍 31 🔁 7 💬 2 📌 1
Post image

15 – In what is Vítor Pereira’s 15th spell in charge of a side in his managerial career, he’s yet to lose his first game across all competitions (W11 D4). Instant.

19.02.2026 19:47 👍 3 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
Bukayo Saka pretends to sign his hand in reference to his new Arsenal contract during a match against Wolves.

Bukayo Saka pretends to sign his hand in reference to his new Arsenal contract during a match against Wolves.

2015 - Against Wolves tonight, Bukayo Saka was the first Arsenal player to score, complete 5+ dribbles (5), win 10+ duels (11) and recover possession 9+ times (9) in a Premier League match since Santi Cazorla against Manchester City in January 2015. Signature.

18.02.2026 21:40 👍 27 🔁 3 💬 1 📌 0
Myles Lewis-Skelly and Gabriel Martinelli high five in celebration at one of Arsenal's goals v Wigan.

Myles Lewis-Skelly and Gabriel Martinelli high five in celebration at one of Arsenal's goals v Wigan.

4 - Arsenal are the first Premier League team (from 1992-93) to score four goals in the opening 30 minutes of an FA Cup game. Domination.

15.02.2026 17:03 👍 72 🔁 8 💬 0 📌 3
Martinelli celebrates scoring for Arsenal v Wigan.

Martinelli celebrates scoring for Arsenal v Wigan.

10 - Gabriel Martinelli is the first player to score 10+ goals in cup/European competitions in a single season for Arsenal since Ian Wright in 1994-95 (12). Up.

15.02.2026 16:58 👍 38 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 1
Thomas Frank puts his hands to his head during his final game as Spurs boss, a 1-2 defeat to Newcastle.

Thomas Frank puts his hands to his head during his final game as Spurs boss, a 1-2 defeat to Newcastle.

1.12 - Thomas Frank has averaged 1.12 points-per-game as Tottenham Hotspur boss in the Premier League (29 points in 26 games), the lowest rate of any Spurs manager with 5+ games in the competition. Unsustainable.

11.02.2026 10:06 👍 16 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 0
Thomas Frank puts his hand to his face as his Spurs side lose to Newcastle.

Thomas Frank puts his hand to his face as his Spurs side lose to Newcastle.

8 - Tottenham Hotspur are winless in eight Premier League games (D4 L4), their longest run since going nine without victory from May to October 2008 under Juande Ramos. Concern.

10.02.2026 21:43 👍 20 🔁 1 💬 1 📌 3
João Pedro celebrates putting Chelsea 1-0 ahead against Leeds.

João Pedro celebrates putting Chelsea 1-0 ahead against Leeds.

10 - João Pedro is just the fourth Brazilian to score 10+ goals in back-to-back Premier League seasons, after Roberto Firmino (4 from 2015-16 to 2018-19), Richarlison (2018-19/2019-20), and Matheus Cunha (2023-24/2024-25). Starring.

10.02.2026 20:04 👍 6 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Post image

200 – Games taken to reach 200 goal involvements for Man Utd in the Premier League era:

295 – Wayne Rooney (133G, 67A)
314 – Bruno Fernandes (104G, 96A)
339 – Cristiano Ronaldo (144G, 56A)
393 – David Beckham (85G, 115A)
424 – Ryan Giggs (90G, 111A)
564 – Paul Scholes (138G, 62A)

Icon.

07.02.2026 14:21 👍 21 🔁 5 💬 0 📌 3
Daniel Farke smiles with arms in the air during a Leeds game at Elland Road.

Daniel Farke smiles with arms in the air during a Leeds game at Elland Road.

7 - Daniel Farke has now won seven of his 25 Premier League games in charge of Leeds United (D8 L10), one more than in won in 49 matches as Norwich City manager in the competition (W6 D8 L35). Settled.

06.02.2026 22:09 👍 21 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 0
Leeds players celebrate infront of a jubilant Elland Road during their win over Forest.

Leeds players celebrate infront of a jubilant Elland Road during their win over Forest.

76% - Leeds United have earned 76% of their Premier League points this season at Elland Road (22/29), the highest proportion at home of any side in the division this term. Fortress.

06.02.2026 22:01 👍 16 🔁 1 💬 1 📌 1
Post image

20 – Arsenal recorded their 20th clean sheet in all competitions this season, only recording more in a campaign under Mikel Arteta in 2023-24 (23). Resolute.

03.02.2026 22:15 👍 82 🔁 4 💬 2 📌 3
Post image Post image

75% - The highest aerial duel success rates in Europe’s big five leagues this season (min. 45):

Kike Salas (81.3% - 39/48)
Luka Vuskovic (80% - 92/115)
Lucas Torró (77.3% - 75/97)
Virgil van Dijk (77.3% - 119/154)
Jérémy Jacquet (75.5% - 37/49)

Imposing.

02.02.2026 10:37 👍 18 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 2
Antoine Semenyo celebrates his goal for Man City v Spurs.

Antoine Semenyo celebrates his goal for Man City v Spurs.

4 - Antoine Semenyo is just the second player to score in four of his first five appearances for the Manchester City as a Premier League club in all competitions (from 1992-93), after Emmanuel Adebayor in 2009 (also 4). Fantastic.

01.02.2026 17:26 👍 5 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 0
Cherki performs a knee slide celebration after putting Man City 1-0 up v Spurs.

Cherki performs a knee slide celebration after putting Man City 1-0 up v Spurs.

19 - Rayan Cherki has 19 goal involvements in all competitions for Manchester City this season (9 goals, 10 assists); the only player with more for Premier League clubs in 2025-26 is his teammate Erling Haaland (32). Superstar.

01.02.2026 16:48 👍 3 🔁 1 💬 1 📌 2
Michael Carrick giving instructions from the touchline during Man Utd's win over Fulham.

Michael Carrick giving instructions from the touchline during Man Utd's win over Fulham.

7 - Manchester United have won all seven of their Premier League games in which they have had less than 45% possession this season (42.4% v Fulham today). By contrast, they have won just four of 17 league games when having 45% or more possession in 2025-26 (D8 L5). Plan.

01.02.2026 16:16 👍 8 🔁 0 💬 2 📌 3
Post image

1 - Chelsea have won a Premier League game in which they've been 2+ goals behind at half time for the first time, with today the 57th occasion. Turnaround.

31.01.2026 19:38 👍 16 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 1
An xG map of Liverpool's 38 shots (5.7 xG) v Qarabag,

An xG map of Liverpool's 38 shots (5.7 xG) v Qarabag,

38 - Liverpool had 38 shots in their 6-0 win over Qarabag tonight; since Opta have shot data in the UEFA Champions League (from 2003-04), only one side has had more in a single match in the competition (Bayern Munich's 43 in the 2012 final v Chelsea). Pellets.

28.01.2026 22:23 👍 21 🔁 1 💬 1 📌 2