Another game, another back-post goal conceded for Liverpool.

I wrote this piece earlier in the week on that very issue.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/671...

We often say that the most entertaining games of football are played at a “good tempo”.

For @theathleticfc.bsky.social, I tried to quantify exactly what that is, and which Premier League teams play with a fast and slow tempo.

Link below!

www.nytimes.com/athletic/662...

An appreciation for the lesser-heralded near-post cross.

Who targets that zone the most? Which players get across their man most often? How does it compare to far-post deliveries?

Full piece below for @theathleticfc.bsky.social:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/663...

It has been a theme of the early weeks of the season, but Liverpool appear to have shifted their defensive shape from a 4-2-4 (in 2024-25) to a staggered 4-3-3 (in 2025-26).

I break down why that might be for @theathleticfc.bsky.social, piece below!

www.nytimes.com/athletic/663...

There is something about a one-two that is so aesthetically pleasing.

For @theathleticfc.bsky.social, I dug into the data to quantify the action itself, before looking at who engages in them the most!

Full piece here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/659...

The Premier League season is over, but there are still some medals to hand out.

➡️ Most improved
⚽️ Set-piece kings
🌬️ Most...double pressures?

Here is @theathleticfc.bsky.social's alternative awards. Enjoy!

www.nytimes.com/athletic/637...

We know that Brentford are not shy in engaging in a long throw, but it is worth highlighting just how much xG they have generated from that method!

New viz included in today's piece with @ahmed-walid.bsky.social looking at the increased trend in the Premier League.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/633...

Second balls are a staple of English football — widely discussed but rarely analysed objectively.

@ahmed-walid.bsky.social and I dug into some Footovision data and clips to unpack which Premier League teams are the strongest, and why!

Full piece here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/619...

Can Erling Haaland break Alan Shearer’s record of 260 Premier League goals?

I looked at the trajectory of the top five all-time goalscorers to see how he compares.

@theathleticfc.bsky.social

Read here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/606...

A lot of chat about Conor Bradley last night.

No player made more defensive actions on the night, including THAT tackle on Kylian Mbappe.

Hopefully any injury concerns are not too serious for the 21-year-old.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/594...

Awesome interview with Robert Lewandowski from @polballus.bsky.social.

Lewandowski's goalscoring numbers are running at an elite level this season, and it is interesting to track across his career!

Read the piece here:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/593...

A good time to be on holiday while signing up for this platform, just to have an excuse to say…

“Blue skies on Bluesky”