The attractive recreation’s legislation enforcers have a troublesome job: whether or not they’re retaining gamers’ feelings in test or mulling over a painstaking VAR resolution, being a Premier League referee is an unenviable process.
And when issues do not go their approach, supporters usually direct their ire in the direction of the official within the center. Nonetheless, whether or not or not it’s justified is one other matter.
However are there referees that followers of sure golf equipment ought to actually dread the sight of? Which referees are least more likely to hand groups the good thing about the doubt, and are there any that would, statistically talking, present trigger for concern even earlier than a ball is kicked?
We have delved into the stats to reply these questions as we establish every Premier League membership’s ‘worst’ referee.
For this record, we have checked out referees’ stats with regard to purple playing cards given, penalties conceded and a crew’s win fee beneath sure officers within the Premier League.
All lively referees who took cost of a 2023/24 Premier League match have been thought of for this record, whereas within the pursuits of equity, win charges are solely thought of the place a referee has taken management of a minimum of 5 top-flight video games.
And with Ipswich City not being within the Premier League for over 22 years previous to this season, we have now thought of matches within the Championship and League One beneath the identical referees.
After all, there are not any conspiracies available right here; merely handing groups a sure variety of playing cards or penalties is under no circumstances an indication of incompetence or bias – extra doubtless, it is only a ref doing their job.
However who do the stats, courtesy of Transfermarkt, level to if there may be such a factor as a ‘bogey’ referee? Let’s discover out…
All stats right as of Monday thirtieth September.
Arsenal
Michael Oliver
He might have been on the centre of more moderen controversy following the Gunners’ high-tempered draw at Manchester Metropolis within the Premier League, however Michael Oliver’s chequered historical past with the Gunners goes again a good bit.
Within the high flight, Oliver has issued 6 purple playing cards and given 13 penalties in opposition to the north Londoners, whereas Arsenal win simply 44% of their matches beneath him. Contemplating how a lot they win these days, that is a reasonably alarming statistic.
After all, as with a number of refs on this record, Oliver’s stats will naturally look worse as he takes management of Arsenal usually – solely Liverpool have had extra video games involving him.
That can also be the rationale Anthony Taylor can declare an in depth second, as he is additionally given 6 reds and 10 pens – however the Gunners win extra usually beneath him.
Michael Oliver: Arsenal Premier League file |
|
---|---|
Total file |
P52 W23 D11 L18 |
Yellow playing cards |
97 |
Pink playing cards |
6 |
Penalties for |
5 |
Penalties in opposition to |
13 |
Win fee |
44% |
Final win |
2-0 v Aston Villa, Aug 2024 |
Aston Villa
Michael Oliver
Michael Oliver’s most important crime right here is that he is been round for too lengthy. Nonetheless, these of an Aston Villa persuasion want look no additional for his or her refereeing nemesis.
Out of the lively referees, nobody has given extra reds to Villa than the Northumberland man, whereas his tally of six penalties is a minimum of 4 greater than different ref’s. A woeful 27% win fee beneath Oliver merely provides insult to harm.
Chris Kavanagh and Paul Tierney are amongst those that may overtake him sooner or later, with the previous giving three reds and two pens within the area of simply 13 video games.
In the meantime, the Villans have received simply 2 in 11 beneath Tierney, having received none of their 9 matches beneath him previous to final season.
Michael Oliver: Aston Villa Premier League file |
|
---|---|
Total file |
P33 W9 D6 L18 |
Yellow playing cards |
66 |
Pink playing cards |
3 |
Penalties for |
2 |
Penalties in opposition to |
6 |
Win fee |
27% |
Final win |
3-2 v Luton, Mar 2024 |
Bournemouth
Craig Pawson
There is not actually a standout candidate with regards to Bournemouth’s referee stats, however Craig Pawson has drawn the quick straw on this event.
Inside 16 Cherries video games, Pawson has issued a purple card and three penalties in opposition to them, together with a 31% win fee. A type of penalties helped to disclaim Gary O’Neil’s facet victory at Newcastle in 2022, when Jefferson Lerma was harshly judged (by VAR) to have dealt with a cross from Kieran Trippier.
Bournemouth have rotten information beneath the likes of Michael Oliver and Anthony Taylor, however Pawson’s cost sheet is grim studying regardless that he has taken cost of extra Cherries video games than anybody else.
Craig Pawson: Bournemouth Premier League file |
|
---|---|
Total file |
P16 W5 D2 L9 |
Yellow playing cards |
31 |
Pink playing cards |
1 |
Penalties for |
1 |
Penalties in opposition to |
3 |
Win fee |
31% |
Final win |
2-0 v Crystal Palace, Dec 2023 |
Brentford
David Coote
With Brentford solely of their fourth Premier League season, their historical past with Premier League referees could be very a lot in its infancy. Nonetheless, David Coote has actually been busy within the six video games he is had involving the Bees.
Thomas Frank’s facet have received zero with Coote in cost, whereas the Nottinghamshire official misplaced management throughout Brentford’s ill-tempered 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa final season, the place he despatched off Ben Mee and did not maintain a deal with on antics from Emiliano Martinez and Neal Maupay.
It is not a lot to go on, however Coote’s subsequent go to to west London will not be the best omen.
David Coote: Brentford Premier League file |
|
---|---|
Total file |
P6 W0 D2 L4 |
Yellow playing cards |
15 |
Pink playing cards |
1 |
Penalties for |
0 |
Penalties in opposition to |
0 |
Win fee |
0% |
Final win |
n/a |
Brighton & Hove Albion
Chris Kavanagh
Brighton usually carry out poorly when Chris Kavanagh is on the identical pitch as them. Not solely do they solely have a 14% win fee with him, however this specific referee has additionally awarded opponents 5 spot kicks in simply 14 video games.
He might have given them a serving to hand in current weeks along with his sending-off of Declan Rice in opposition to Arsenal, however that was a recreation that additional dented their success fee, with just one win coming since their inaugural Premier League marketing campaign (in opposition to Leeds United in Might 2021).
Craig Pawson and Anthony Taylor have additionally awarded Seagulls opponents a number of penalties between them, whereas Brighton’s poor win fee with Kavanagh is just marginally worse than their file with Michael Oliver (17%).
Chris Kavanagh: Brighton Premier League file |
|
---|---|
Total file |
P14 W2 D5 L7 |
Yellow playing cards |
30 |
Pink playing cards |
0 |
Penalties for |
4 |
Penalties in opposition to |
5 |
Win fee |
14% |
Final win |
2-0 v Leeds, Might 2021 |
Chelsea
Anthony Taylor
It might be honest to say that Anthony Taylor has lengthy been the bane of Chelsea followers. He was within the center for 2 of their FA Cup closing defeats (with contentious calls and purple playing cards in each), whereas he not too long ago handed the Blues eight yellows on a weird record-breaking evening for cautions at Bournemouth.
And the stats have him because the outright outlier with regards to their file in comparison with different refs. Taylor has awarded opponents EIGHT penalties within the Premier League – no different present referee has given greater than two in opposition to Chelsea.
Away from Taylor, one other eye-catching stat was their dire file beneath Jarred Gillett. They’ve received simply as soon as in six matches, whereas their one defeat got here amid a purple card for Malo Gusto in opposition to Aston Villa final season.
Anthony Taylor: Chelsea Premier League file |
|
---|---|
Total file |
P42 W20 D14 L8 |
Yellow playing cards |
100 |
Pink playing cards |
1 |
Penalties for |
7 |
Penalties in opposition to |
8 |
Win fee |
48% |
Final win |
1-0 v Bournemouth, Sep 2024 |
Crystal Palace
Michael Oliver
We expect Crystal Palace followers would have each purpose to dread the presence of Michael Oliver. Oliver is an skilled ref, so it is no shock he has dealt with extra Eagles video games than different officers.
That mentioned, he has given Palace’s opponents seven penalties, having given fewer to many of the golf equipment he has taken cost of extra usually. Solely Watford and Arsenal can declare to have a worse penalties-per-game ratio.
Andy Madley has a equally blotted copybook in Palace matches, have handed out three reds of their final three matches – together with an extremely harsh second yellow for Jordan Ayew final season in opposition to Liverpool when the Eagles had led.
Michael Oliver: Crystal Palace Premier League file |
|
---|---|
Total file |
P33 W10 D4 L19 |
Yellow playing cards |
43 |
Pink playing cards |
1 |
Penalties for |
5 |
Penalties in opposition to |
7 |
Win fee |
30% |
Final win |
2-0 v Southampton, Apr 2023 |
Everton
Craig Pawson
With Everton’s type largely unimpressive in recent times, it’s little shock that the overwhelming majority of referees seem to have it in for them.
Nonetheless, the worst mixture of the statistics we’re occupied with has to go to Craig Pawson. Whereas they’re winless in 9 matches beneath John Brooks, their next-worst file is with Pawson, who has overseen simply 5 Everton wins in 26 video games – a stunning 19% win fee.
Pawson has additionally handed out 5 reds throughout that point, together with in final season’s Merseyside derby defeat at Anfield in a recreation the place he did not ship off Ibrahima Konate for what would have been a deserved second reserving.
Craig Pawson: Everton Premier League file |
|
---|---|
Total file |
P26 W5 D6 L15 |
Yellow playing cards |
46 |
Pink playing cards |
5 |
Penalties for |
4 |
Penalties in opposition to |
2 |
Win fee |
19% |
Final win |
2-1 v Leicester, Might 2022 |
Fulham
Graham Scott
Like Everton, Fulham have additionally been unfortunate beneath Craig Pawson – they’ve by no means received in eight video games alongside him.
However maybe a worse destiny than having Pawson assigned to a Fulham match could be Graham Scott taking cost. Whereas the Whites have solely had seven matches beneath him, a bigger chunk of those have come since their most up-to-date promotion.
Though Fulham lastly received beneath Scott throughout this time, their file stays poor, whereas there may be usually drama. In truth, 4 of their final 5 matches with Scott have featured a penalty, a purple card, or each – and the percentages aren’t normally within the west Londoners’ favour.
Graham Scott: Fulham Premier League file |
|
---|---|
Total file |
P7 W1 D3 L3 |
Yellow playing cards |
9 |
Pink playing cards |
2 |
Penalties for |
2 |
Penalties in opposition to |
1 |
Win fee |
14% |
Final win |
2-1 v Southampton, Dec 2022 |
Ipswich City
David Coote
Regardless of Ipswich lastly returning to the highest flight this summer time, they haven’t been in a position to escape the wrath of would-be Premier League referees throughout their time within the Championship and League One.
Unsurprisingly, there is not an enormous quantity of information to go by, however the Tractor Boys might need to be cautious of David Coote, with whom they’ve been on the profitable facet simply twice in 15 Championship video games.
Granted, all bar a kind of matches have been within the 2017/18 season or earlier, however the pattern did proceed after they have been held to a draw by West Brom of their profitable promotion marketing campaign final yr.
David Coote: Ipswich Championship file |
|
---|---|
Total file |
P15 W2 D7 L6 |
Yellow playing cards |
31 |
Pink playing cards |
0 |
Penalties for |
3 |
Penalties in opposition to |
0 |
Win fee |
13% |
Final win |
2-1 v Bristol Metropolis, Dec 2016 |
Leicester Metropolis
Craig Pawson
One potential silver lining of Leicester Metropolis’s relegation in 2022/23 might have been the absence of Craig Pawson from Championship soccer.
Their time within the Premier League up till their relegation actually was a rollercoaster – and that is additionally why their file beneath the South Yorkshire ref stands out.
They’re on a run of shedding every of their final six clashes involving Pawson – sarcastically after profitable the earlier six. Possibly it is a signal that issues are on account of flip round, however that is as rotten a file as you may get.
Craig Pawson: Leicester Premier League file |
|
---|---|
Total file |
P28 W9 D5 L14 |
Yellow playing cards |
49 |
Pink playing cards |
3 |
Penalties for |
3 |
Penalties in opposition to |
3 |
Win fee |
32% |
Final win |
4-2 v Man Utd, Oct 2021 |
Liverpool
Andy Madley
Everyone knows that Jurgen Klopp had it in for Paul Tierney (see under), and that is comprehensible – he is been the centre of a number of controversies involving Liverpool over time.
However the Reds’ file with Tierney is usually optimistic; they’ve received their final six overseen by him, whereas the final purple card he gave to a Liverpool participant – Darwin Nunez in opposition to Crystal Palace in August 2022 – was wholly justified.
So we felt a extra acceptable ‘bogey ref’ could be Andy Madley. He is solely taken cost of ten Liverpool matches, of which the Reds have received six. Whereas their solely defeat beneath Madley was their 2-0 loss to Everton final time period, this ref has turned up in some agonising video games, together with attracts away at newly promoted sides Luton and Fulham.
And even when Liverpool win, he manages to make a scene, having been on the centre of quite a few iffy choices throughout their last-gasp victory in opposition to Crystal Palace final season in a match that left either side disgruntled along with his officiating. He is hardly a optimistic omen.
Andy Madley: Liverpool Premier League file |
|
---|---|
Total file |
P10 W6 D3 L1 |
Yellow playing cards |
15 |
Pink playing cards |
0 |
Penalties for |
0 |
Penalties in opposition to |
2 |
Win fee |
60% |
Final win |
4-1 v Luton, Feb 2024 |
Manchester Metropolis
Anthony Taylor
Wanting on the numbers, it could be simple to say Michael Oliver is the prime candidate for Manchester Metropolis’s least-wanted referee. Nonetheless, regardless of awarding eight penalties in opposition to them, he has by no means given a Citizen a purple card, which is outstanding given his longevity within the recreation.
The one referee who can actually rival that’s Anthony Taylor. Though he is one other of the extra skilled officers, nobody has given extra reds to Metropolis gamers than him, whereas six penalties have gone in opposition to them beneath his watch.
Metropolis’s win file with Taylor additionally stands at a ‘lowly’ 57% – comfortably the bottom for this juggernaut of a crew. Their current failures beneath him embrace attracts in opposition to Arsenal and Chelsea that would have price them the title final season, in addition to each defeats to Spurs within the 2021/22 marketing campaign.
Anthony Taylor: Man Metropolis Premier League file |
|
---|---|
Total file |
P37 W21 D8 L8 |
Yellow playing cards |
55 |
Pink playing cards |
3 |
Penalties for |
9 |
Penalties in opposition to |
6 |
Win fee |
57% |
Final win |
2-0 v Chelsea, Aug 2024 |
Manchester United
Jarred Gillett
It might really feel like all the things is in opposition to Manchester United proper now, with outcomes and refereeing choices benefiting opponents within the wake of a 3rd recreation with out a win and an overturned purple card for Bruno Fernandes on the weekend.
And whereas Chris Kavanagh will not have gained any followers at Outdated Trafford along with his decision-making, the stats counsel Jarred Gillett must be a extra feared referee.
The Australian has solely officiated 5 Pink Devils clashes so far, but United have solely come out on high on two events, whereas three penalties have been awarded in opposition to them – together with two of their chastening 4-3 defeat to Chelsea final time period.
Jarred Gillett: Man Utd Premier League file |
|
---|---|
Total file |
P5 W2 D0 L3 |
Yellow playing cards |
10 |
Pink playing cards |
0 |
Penalties for |
0 |
Penalties in opposition to |
3 |
Win fee |
40% |
Final win |
4-3 v Wolves, Feb 2024 |
Newcastle United
Craig Pawson
Wanting on the stats, you would be forgiven for considering Craig Pawson had a private vendetta in opposition to the Toon. Whereas that’s more likely to be removed from the reality, the Yorkshireman has handed Newcastle United 5 purple playing cards and issued 5 penalties in opposition to them.
The Magpies are Pawson’s mostly assigned crew, however not by a lot, and a comparatively paltry win fee of 34% beneath him solely sours issues additional.
Throughout the lively Premier League referees, solely Paul Tierney matches Pawson by way of awarding penalties, although he has by no means despatched a Newcastle participant off. Eddie Howe’s males higher be on their finest behaviour every time Pawson’s subsequent on the town.
Craig Pawson: Newcastle Premier League file |
|
---|---|
Total file |
P32 W11 D10 L11 |
Yellow playing cards |
55 |
Pink playing cards |
5 |
Penalties for |
4 |
Penalties in opposition to |
5 |
Win fee |
34% |
Final win |
1-0 v Southampton, Aug 2024 |
Nottingham Forest
Robert Jones
With Nottingham Forest’s trendy Premier League historical past quite restricted, their run-ins with the present crop of refs are extra unfold out (referees weren’t even skilled after they have been final relegated from the highest flight).
Subsequently, it could be barely disingenuous at hand one referee the mantle of being Forest’s most important nemesis, however Robert Jones has overseen extra drama than most when he takes management of their video games.
Jones was not too long ago on the centre of controversy when he dealt with the Difficult Bushes’ current draw at Brighton, which noticed Morgan Gibbs-White harshly despatched off in an ill-tempered conflict.
Simon Hooper additionally deserves an honourable point out, as he has but to supervise a Forest victory in any of the Reds’ seven makes an attempt.
Robert Jones: Nottingham Forest Premier League file |
|
---|---|
Total file |
P7 W2 D2 L3 |
Yellow playing cards |
24 |
Pink playing cards |
2 |
Penalties for |
1 |
Penalties in opposition to |
1 |
Win fee |
29% |
Final win |
1-0 v Leeds, Feb 2023 |
Southampton
Graham Scott
Southampton’s previous couple of Premier League campaigns have been dominated by relegation battles, so numerous their statistics make for grim studying.
Whereas the likes of Anthony Taylor and Simon Hooper are under no circumstances the Saints’ fortunate allure, Graham Scott arguably edges it by having the worst file of the lot.
In 15 matches beneath Scott since 2016/17, Southampton have received simply twice, and never tasted victory alongside Scott for almost six years – a run of 9 winless video games (1D 8L).
Graham Scott: Southampton Premier League file |
|
---|---|
Total file |
P15 W2 D2 L11 |
Yellow playing cards |
18 |
Pink playing cards |
2 |
Penalties for |
1 |
Penalties in opposition to |
3 |
Win fee |
13% |
Final win |
2-1 v Everton, Jan 2019 |
Tottenham Hotspur
Paul Tierney
Paul Tierney has been a Premier League referee since 2014, however his Tottenham Hotspur file is plagued by some agonising Spurs matches.
They embrace every of the Lilywhites’ final two journeys to Anfield, which each led to ugly defeats. There’s additionally been loads of London derbies the place Spurs have come unstuck, whereas they beforehand went by a interval of 12 matches with out victory beneath him.
Robert Jones’ Spurs file is not a lot prettier, and he gave Arsenal a contentious penalty on the Emirates Stadium final season – whereas Spurs are winless with him of their final six.
Paul Tierney: Tottenham Premier League file |
|
---|---|
Total file |
P18 W4 D6 L8 |
Yellow playing cards |
31 |
Pink playing cards |
0 |
Penalties for |
2 |
Penalties in opposition to |
3 |
Win fee |
22% |
Final win |
1-0 v Fulham, Jan 2023 |
West Ham United
David Coote
Provided that David Coote has solely taken cost of 12 West Ham United matches, it is fairly outstanding he stands out as being a very unhealthy omen for them.
However with one purple and 4 penalties conceded in his video games (to not point out profitable simply 2 of these 12), it is troublesome to say it is anybody else for the Hammers.
Their 16% win fee beneath Coote is comfortably the worst of any referee to take cost of a minimum of 5 West Ham matches – Andy Madley is subsequent on a relatively respectable 29%.
David Coote: West Ham Premier League file |
|
---|---|
Total file |
P12 W2 D5 L5 |
Yellow playing cards |
16 |
Pink playing cards |
1 |
Penalties for |
4 |
Penalties in opposition to |
4 |
Win fee |
16% |
Final win |
2-0 v Bournemouth, Oct 2022 |
Wolves
Andy Madley
Solely three golf equipment have had Andy Madley in cost within the Premier League extra usually than Wolves, and at this level, the Outdated Gold will likely be begging the PGMOL and Madley to go away them alone.
Three of Wolves’ final 5 matches involving Madley have seen both a purple or penalty kick, whereas their final assembly – a 4-1 win over Brentford in December – stays an outlier by way of outcomes beneath this official (only a second win in 11 video games).
Anthony Taylor will understandably be recent within the reminiscence of followers given his current match-defining (and proper) penalty name in opposition to Liverpool, and nobody has given Wolves extra reds or penalties than him, so he is one other for Gary O’Neil’s facet to be cautious of.
Andy Madley: Wolves Premier League file |
|
---|---|
Total file |
P11 W2 D3 L6 |
Yellow playing cards |
14 |
Pink playing cards |
1 |
Penalties for |
1 |
Penalties in opposition to |
3 |
Win fee |
18% |
Final win |
4-1 v Brentford, Dec 2023 |