Revealed! Newcastle United player among worst in Premier League for referee run-ins

The Magpies have picked up 50 bookings this term – the fourth-highest tally in the division, and just five fewer than the top flight’s worst offenders, Sheffield United.

Some would argue, justifiably, that a poor disciplinary record is just about the least of Steve Bruce’s problems on Tyneside right now, but it’s surely no coincidence that the Toon Army have accrued so many cautions while also registering an average of 39.34% possession this term.

Newcastle appear to be spending most of their time chasing games, and if they can’t catch them, they’re evidently not averse to clipping their ankles.

At the other end of the table, as an example, Manchester City have picked up just 30 bookings and have averaged nearly 64% possession in the Premier League in 2020/21.

It’s not exactly rocket science that the more time you spend without the ball, the more opportunities you have to commit fouls.

But in terms of getting in trouble with referees, one Toon player really stands out…

BettingOdds.com have ran the numbers on which Premier League players have made the fewest fouls for every yellow card they have received this season – or in other words, who gets their names taken by officials most often – and their findings make for interesting reading.

Click and scroll through the pages below to read our countdown of the most punishable talents in the top flight...