OptaJoe
@optajoe.com
1 - The official BlueSky page for Stats Perform’s English football coverage, brought to you by OptaJoe. Illuminating.
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OptaJoe
@optajoe.com
· Nov 28
1 - Here's a starter pack containing all the Opta Accounts you can now enjoy on BlueSky. Collection.
go.bsky.app/3S8WF93
go.bsky.app/3S8WF93
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.
February 15, 2026 at 5:03 PM
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.
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.
February 15, 2026 at 4:58 PM
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.
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.
February 11, 2026 at 10:06 AM
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.
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.
February 10, 2026 at 9:43 PM
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 - 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.
February 10, 2026 at 8:04 PM
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.
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.
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.
February 7, 2026 at 2:21 PM
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.
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.
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.
February 6, 2026 at 10:09 PM
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.
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.
February 6, 2026 at 10:01 PM
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.
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.
February 3, 2026 at 10:15 PM
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.
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.
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.
February 2, 2026 at 10:37 AM
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.
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.
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.
February 1, 2026 at 5:26 PM
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.
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.
February 1, 2026 at 4:49 PM
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.
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.
February 1, 2026 at 4:16 PM
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.
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.
January 31, 2026 at 7:38 PM
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.
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.
January 28, 2026 at 10:24 PM
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.
5 - Anatoliy Trubin is the fifth different goalkeeper to score a UEFA Champions League goal, after Jörg Butt (3), Sinan Bolat, Vincent Enyeama, and Ivan Provedel (1 each). Famous.
January 28, 2026 at 10:15 PM
5 - Anatoliy Trubin is the fifth different goalkeeper to score a UEFA Champions League goal, after Jörg Butt (3), Sinan Bolat, Vincent Enyeama, and Ivan Provedel (1 each). Famous.
3 - Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk is the first central defender ever to assist three goals in a single UEFA Champions League game. Source.
January 28, 2026 at 9:57 PM
3 - Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk is the first central defender ever to assist three goals in a single UEFA Champions League game. Source.
10 - Leeds United's 10 shots in the first half against Everton is their most in the opening 45 minutes of a Premier League away game since September 2021 against Newcastle United (13). Peppered.
January 26, 2026 at 8:55 PM
10 - Leeds United's 10 shots in the first half against Everton is their most in the opening 45 minutes of a Premier League away game since September 2021 against Newcastle United (13). Peppered.
3 - Liverpool conceded a 90th-minute winning goal for the third time in the Premier League this season – their most ever in a single campaign in the competition. Heartache.
January 24, 2026 at 7:35 PM
3 - Liverpool conceded a 90th-minute winning goal for the third time in the Premier League this season – their most ever in a single campaign in the competition. Heartache.
5 - No player has scored more goals from outside the box for Premier League clubs in all competitions this season than Dominik Szoboszlai (5, level with Phil Foden). Marksman.
January 24, 2026 at 7:15 PM
5 - No player has scored more goals from outside the box for Premier League clubs in all competitions this season than Dominik Szoboszlai (5, level with Phil Foden). Marksman.
8 - All eight of Omar Marmoush's Premier League goals have been scored at the Etihad Stadium - the most goals by any player in Premier League history with 100% coming at the same ground. Home.
January 24, 2026 at 3:15 PM
8 - All eight of Omar Marmoush's Premier League goals have been scored at the Etihad Stadium - the most goals by any player in Premier League history with 100% coming at the same ground. Home.
7 - Arsenal have won seven successive UEFA Champions League games for the first time in their history; only Manchester City (10 in March 2024) have enjoyed a longer winning run in the competition among English sides. Heaven.
January 20, 2026 at 10:10 PM
7 - Arsenal have won seven successive UEFA Champions League games for the first time in their history; only Manchester City (10 in March 2024) have enjoyed a longer winning run in the competition among English sides. Heaven.
4 - Tottenham Hotspur have won all four of their UEFA Champions League games at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this season. It’s twice as many wins as they have managed in 11 home Premier League matches in 2025-26 (2). Respite.
January 20, 2026 at 10:08 PM
4 - Tottenham Hotspur have won all four of their UEFA Champions League games at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this season. It’s twice as many wins as they have managed in 11 home Premier League matches in 2025-26 (2). Respite.
5 - Dominic Solanke is only the fifth player to score on his UEFA Champions League debut for Tottenham Hotspur, and second Englishman, after Peter Crouch in September 2010 against Werder Bremen. Famous.
January 20, 2026 at 8:44 PM
5 - Dominic Solanke is only the fifth player to score on his UEFA Champions League debut for Tottenham Hotspur, and second Englishman, after Peter Crouch in September 2010 against Werder Bremen. Famous.
2 - Rodri made his 249th start for Manchester City in all competitions tonight, but this is only the second time he has ever lost two of those starts in a row, after January/February 2020 against Man Utd and Spurs. Turn-up.
January 20, 2026 at 7:38 PM
2 - Rodri made his 249th start for Manchester City in all competitions tonight, but this is only the second time he has ever lost two of those starts in a row, after January/February 2020 against Man Utd and Spurs. Turn-up.