On historical form, Fulham face n-n-no chance at Everton after 19 straight defeats

April 26th, 2013

By Brian Sears 26 April 2013 Everton welcome Fulham to Goodison on Saturday seeking to maintain perhaps the longest 100 per cent winning run against the same opponent in English football. Everton have beaten Fulham in 19 straight league games at home now, dating back to 1961. The last time Fulham even managed so much as a draw in the league at Everton was in a 0-0 draw in 1959. Fulham have never won at Goodison Park in 24 league meetings, with only four draws to 20 defeats, and those last 19 consecutive defeats. Certainly no other team has ever put together such a run against...

Posted in Features, Super statto: Sears | No Comments

Newcastle still calling the north-east Toon as jittery derby with Sunderland looms

April 12th, 2013

By Brian Sears 12 April 2013 Three north-east clubs have played in the Premier League in its 21-year existence and though their fortunes have ebbed and flowed, one club has clearly been the regional dominant force over that time - Newcastle. In the 20 completed Premier League seasons, Newcastle have finished the best of the north-east on 11 occasions, ahead of Sunderland (highest placed five times) and Middlesbrough (four). Starker still are the statistics that show Newcastle's dominance in the games where the intensity of competition burns most fiercely, the north-east derbies. Newcastle have played 47 of them in the Premier League era to...

Posted in Features, Super statto: Sears | No Comments

QPR relish capital gains as Man City and Wigan flop in north-west derbies

March 29th, 2013

By Brian Sears 29 March 2013 QPR face a London derby this Easter weekend that will partly determine whether their season can be resurrected. That one is played on Monday, and a week later the two clubs from Manchester - champions-elect United and champions (reigning) City - will also meet in a derby, at Old Trafford. It has been theorised in the past that clubs who face a lot of derbies, regionally, can be at a disadvantage to those that don't, because derbies can be closer affairs than 'other' games if only because the geographical proximity adds people and spice to the atmosphere. In looking at...

Posted in Features, Super statto: Sears | No Comments