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
6 - Aston Villa have scored six goals in a single match in European competition for the very first time.
Feast.
Feast.
October 14, 2026 at 8:51 PM
6 - Aston Villa have scored six goals in a single match in European competition for the very first time.
Feast.
Feast.
21 - Lewis Koumas is the second player aged 21 or younger to both score and assist a goal in a UEFA Champions League match for Liverpool, after Steven Gerrard against Dynamo Kyiv in October 2001 (also 21).
Emulating.
Emulating.
October 14, 2026 at 6:22 PM
21 - Lewis Koumas is the second player aged 21 or younger to both score and assist a goal in a UEFA Champions League match for Liverpool, after Steven Gerrard against Dynamo Kyiv in October 2001 (also 21).
Emulating.
Emulating.
24 - Liverpool's starting XI against LASK has an average age of 24 years and 186 days, their third-youngest ever for a UEFA Champions League game, older only than September 2001 v Borussia Dortmund (24y 136d) and December 2020 v Midtjylland (24y 26d).
Knocks.
Knocks.
October 14, 2026 at 3:48 PM
24 - Liverpool's starting XI against LASK has an average age of 24 years and 186 days, their third-youngest ever for a UEFA Champions League game, older only than September 2001 v Borussia Dortmund (24y 136d) and December 2020 v Midtjylland (24y 26d).
Knocks.
Knocks.
9 - Only Cristiano Ronaldo in April 2018 (11) has enjoyed a longer run of successive games with a goal in the European Cup/UEFA Champions League than Harry Kane's ongoing run of nine.
Longevity.
Longevity.
October 13, 2026 at 8:20 PM
9 - Only Cristiano Ronaldo in April 2018 (11) has enjoyed a longer run of successive games with a goal in the European Cup/UEFA Champions League than Harry Kane's ongoing run of nine.
Longevity.
Longevity.
6 - A team have started with six straight wins in just two of the last seven Premier Legue seasons (since 2020-21): Manchester City in 2023-24 and Manchester City in 2026-27.
Defiance.
Defiance.
October 11, 2026 at 5:40 PM
6 - A team have started with six straight wins in just two of the last seven Premier Legue seasons (since 2020-21): Manchester City in 2023-24 and Manchester City in 2026-27.
Defiance.
Defiance.
18 - There were 18 fouls in the first half of Liverpool (10) v Manchester City (8) - the most in the first half of a Premier League game at Anfield since Liverpool v Arsenal in November 2021 (also 18).
Fiery.
Fiery.
October 11, 2026 at 4:20 PM
18 - There were 18 fouls in the first half of Liverpool (10) v Manchester City (8) - the most in the first half of a Premier League game at Anfield since Liverpool v Arsenal in November 2021 (also 18).
Fiery.
Fiery.
2 - In 1-1 draws with Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United are the first side to play back-to-back Premier League games against sides starting the day bottom of the table and fail to win both since West Brom in December 2017.
Stumble.
Stumble.
October 11, 2026 at 11:11 AM
2 - In 1-1 draws with Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United are the first side to play back-to-back Premier League games against sides starting the day bottom of the table and fail to win both since West Brom in December 2017.
Stumble.
Stumble.
3 - Manchester United have failed to win any of their last three Premier League games against sides that have received a red card (D1 L2).
Disadvantage?
Disadvantage?
October 10, 2026 at 6:41 PM
3 - Manchester United have failed to win any of their last three Premier League games against sides that have received a red card (D1 L2).
Disadvantage?
Disadvantage?
35y 117d - Aged 35 years and 117 days, Pascal Groß is the oldest player to provide an assist in three successive Premier League games since Ryan Giggs in February 2012 (38y 68d).
Vintage.
Vintage.
October 10, 2026 at 3:25 PM
35y 117d - Aged 35 years and 117 days, Pascal Groß is the oldest player to provide an assist in three successive Premier League games since Ryan Giggs in February 2012 (38y 68d).
Vintage.
Vintage.
02:29 - Only Emile Heskey against Derby County in April 1998 inside the opening two minutes has a player both scored and assisted earlier in a Premier League game than Jordan Henderson against Bournemouth (02:29).
Rapid.
Rapid.
October 10, 2026 at 2:24 PM
02:29 - Only Emile Heskey against Derby County in April 1998 inside the opening two minutes has a player both scored and assisted earlier in a Premier League game than Jordan Henderson against Bournemouth (02:29).
Rapid.
Rapid.
28.1% - Since his Premier League debut in February 2022, only James Maddison (9/29 - 31%) has scored a high proportion of their Premier League goals from outside the penalty area than Bruno Guimarães (9/32 - 28.1% - min. 25 goals).
Ambitious.
Ambitious.
October 10, 2026 at 1:11 PM
28.1% - Since his Premier League debut in February 2022, only James Maddison (9/29 - 31%) has scored a high proportion of their Premier League goals from outside the penalty area than Bruno Guimarães (9/32 - 28.1% - min. 25 goals).
Ambitious.
Ambitious.
8 - Arsenal (5) and Leeds United (3) recorded eight offsides in total in the first half, the most in the opening 45 minutes of a Premier League game since Manchester United v Aston Villa in April 2023 (also 8).
Lines.
Lines.
October 10, 2026 at 12:25 PM
8 - Arsenal (5) and Leeds United (3) recorded eight offsides in total in the first half, the most in the opening 45 minutes of a Premier League game since Manchester United v Aston Villa in April 2023 (also 8).
Lines.
Lines.
35 - Pascal Groß is the first Brighton player ever to be named Premier League Player of the Month. Aged 35 years and 107 days on the final day of the month, he is the competition's oldest recipient since Cristiano Ronaldo in April 2022 (37y 84d).
Swansong.
Swansong.
October 2, 2026 at 10:13 AM
35 - Pascal Groß is the first Brighton player ever to be named Premier League Player of the Month. Aged 35 years and 107 days on the final day of the month, he is the competition's oldest recipient since Cristiano Ronaldo in April 2022 (37y 84d).
Swansong.
Swansong.
4 - Only Rachel Williams (6) has scored more goals in their first four WSL appearances than Océane Hurtré (4), with both doing so for Birmingham City Women.
Flying.
#OptaOnWSL
Flying.
#OptaOnWSL
September 27, 2026 at 2:00 PM
4 - Only Rachel Williams (6) has scored more goals in their first four WSL appearances than Océane Hurtré (4), with both doing so for Birmingham City Women.
Flying.
#OptaOnWSL
Flying.
#OptaOnWSL
10 - Since her WSL debut in September 2022, only Khadija Shaw (31) has scored more headed goals in the competition than Elisabeth Terland (10).
Bonce.
#OptaOnWSL
Bonce.
#OptaOnWSL
September 27, 2026 at 12:30 PM
10 - Since her WSL debut in September 2022, only Khadija Shaw (31) has scored more headed goals in the competition than Elisabeth Terland (10).
Bonce.
#OptaOnWSL
Bonce.
#OptaOnWSL
🍒 - Alex Scott ranks in the top three of Premier League players this season for:
🥇 High Turnovers (11)
🥇 Fouls Won (17)
🥇 Ground Duels Won (30)
🥇 Take-Ons with Foul Won (4)
🥈 Off-Ball Support Runs (44)
🥉 Possession Won (36)
Impressive.
🥇 High Turnovers (11)
🥇 Fouls Won (17)
🥇 Ground Duels Won (30)
🥇 Take-Ons with Foul Won (4)
🥈 Off-Ball Support Runs (44)
🥉 Possession Won (36)
Impressive.
September 23, 2026 at 3:19 PM
🍒 - Alex Scott ranks in the top three of Premier League players this season for:
🥇 High Turnovers (11)
🥇 Fouls Won (17)
🥇 Ground Duels Won (30)
🥇 Take-Ons with Foul Won (4)
🥈 Off-Ball Support Runs (44)
🥉 Possession Won (36)
Impressive.
🥇 High Turnovers (11)
🥇 Fouls Won (17)
🥇 Ground Duels Won (30)
🥇 Take-Ons with Foul Won (4)
🥈 Off-Ball Support Runs (44)
🥉 Possession Won (36)
Impressive.
1 - Liverpool's Florian Wirtz is the only player to rank in the top 10 in the Premier League this season for each of:
High-intensity pressures in opp half (181 - =7th)
Runs ahead of the ball (34 - =1st)
Defensive line-breaking passes (16 - 8th)
Perceptions.
High-intensity pressures in opp half (181 - =7th)
Runs ahead of the ball (34 - =1st)
Defensive line-breaking passes (16 - 8th)
Perceptions.
September 22, 2026 at 3:35 PM
1 - Liverpool's Florian Wirtz is the only player to rank in the top 10 in the Premier League this season for each of:
High-intensity pressures in opp half (181 - =7th)
Runs ahead of the ball (34 - =1st)
Defensive line-breaking passes (16 - 8th)
Perceptions.
High-intensity pressures in opp half (181 - =7th)
Runs ahead of the ball (34 - =1st)
Defensive line-breaking passes (16 - 8th)
Perceptions.
3/5/10 - Against Manchester City on MD5, Brian Brobbey became the first player to score 3+ goals, win 5+ fouls and win 10+ duels in a Premier League game since Christian Benteke for Aston Villa against Sunderland in April 2013.
Unplayable.
Unplayable.
September 21, 2026 at 3:03 PM
3/5/10 - Against Manchester City on MD5, Brian Brobbey became the first player to score 3+ goals, win 5+ fouls and win 10+ duels in a Premier League game since Christian Benteke for Aston Villa against Sunderland in April 2013.
Unplayable.
Unplayable.
5 - With five points, this is Manchester United's joint-lowest tally after five games of a Premier League season, also picking up five in 2014-15.
Sluggish.
Sluggish.
September 20, 2026 at 5:23 PM
5 - With five points, this is Manchester United's joint-lowest tally after five games of a Premier League season, also picking up five in 2014-15.
Sluggish.
Sluggish.
2007 - Today against Manchester City, Brian Brobbey was the first player to score a hat-trick but end on the losing side in a Premier League match since Roque Santa Cruz for Blackburn Rovers against Wigan Athletic in December 2007.
Valiant.
Valiant.
September 20, 2026 at 3:44 PM
2007 - Today against Manchester City, Brian Brobbey was the first player to score a hat-trick but end on the losing side in a Premier League match since Roque Santa Cruz for Blackburn Rovers against Wigan Athletic in December 2007.
Valiant.
Valiant.
4 - Brian Brobbey is just the fourth player in Premier League history to score a hat-trick against the side starting the day top of the table, after Robbie Fowler v Aston Villa in November 1998, Dirk Kuyt v Man Utd in March 2011, and Romelu Lukaku v Man Utd in May 2013.
Unstoppable.
Unstoppable.
September 20, 2026 at 2:30 PM
4 - Brian Brobbey is just the fourth player in Premier League history to score a hat-trick against the side starting the day top of the table, after Robbie Fowler v Aston Villa in November 1998, Dirk Kuyt v Man Utd in March 2011, and Romelu Lukaku v Man Utd in May 2013.
Unstoppable.
Unstoppable.
2 - Derek McInnes is only the second Rangers manager to win both of his first two Old Firm derbies against Celtic in charge of the club in all competitions, after Graeme Souness in 1986.
Bragging.
Bragging.
September 20, 2026 at 12:53 PM
2 - Derek McInnes is only the second Rangers manager to win both of his first two Old Firm derbies against Celtic in charge of the club in all competitions, after Graeme Souness in 1986.
Bragging.
Bragging.
20.6% - Among goalkeepers that have conceded 100+ goals in the Premier League, only Hans Segers (22% - 36/164) has conceded a higher proportion from outside the penalty area than David Raya (20.6% - 33/160).
Range.
Range.
September 19, 2026 at 2:53 PM
20.6% - Among goalkeepers that have conceded 100+ goals in the Premier League, only Hans Segers (22% - 36/164) has conceded a higher proportion from outside the penalty area than David Raya (20.6% - 33/160).
Range.
Range.
300 - Aged 27 years and 249 days, Declan Rice is the third-youngest player to start 300 Premier League games after Gareth Barry (26y 323d) and Frank Lampard (27y 209d).
Sparta.
Sparta.
September 19, 2026 at 1:58 PM
300 - Aged 27 years and 249 days, Declan Rice is the third-youngest player to start 300 Premier League games after Gareth Barry (26y 323d) and Frank Lampard (27y 209d).
Sparta.
Sparta.
50 - Tottenham Hotspur have lost 50 of their 141 Premier League games at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, as many defeats as Arsenal have suffered in 382 top-flight matches at the Emirates Stadium.
Gap.
Gap.
September 19, 2026 at 1:40 PM
50 - Tottenham Hotspur have lost 50 of their 141 Premier League games at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, as many defeats as Arsenal have suffered in 382 top-flight matches at the Emirates Stadium.
Gap.
Gap.