Opta's Keeper Capers
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After the latest round of games in The Premier League, Opta have assessed the performances of the top-flight goalkeepers and reveal who gave the best and worst goalkeeping displays, according to their unique statistical analysis.
18th met 19th in the league in a classic relegation six-pointer between Portsmouth and Middlesbrough at the weekend, in which the South Coast side were eventually forced to return home with just a point despite taking a first-half lead through Peter Crouch. However the situation could have been worse had it not been for the efforts of their veteran goalkeeper, David James.
James was busy for most of the match, most notably making a reflex save to deny Tuncay after the hour mark. However, even though Boro found themselves reduced to ten men in the 77th minute, the England international still had plenty of work to do in the latter stages of the game and was helpless to prevent Marlon King’s header from flying past him, though his save from Afonso Alves in the dying moments undoubtedly claimed his side a vital point. Having made six saves and four catches he is Opta’s best keeper of the week.
How the mighty are fallen... Two weeks ago Edwin van der Sar was the hottest property in English football, having kept a record-breaking 14 consecutive clean sheets in the league. Then at St James’ Park the cracks began to show as he conceded a ninth minute goal away to Newcastle, a side who at the time had not scored in two consecutive league matches. However it would have been difficult to predict the scale of his howler at home to Liverpool.
Van der Sar faced five shots on his goal against United’s North-West rivals, managing to concede four goals, two of which were from outside the area, and failing to make a single save from a shot inside his own box.
Naturally the full blame must not fall on one man’s shoulders, but the Dutch ‘keeper will have been feeling red-faced as United conceded four goals at home in the league for the first time in the Premier League era, as he made just one save during the whole match.
http://www.setanta.com/uk/Articles/Football/2009/03/17/Opta-Keeper-Capers/gnid-44735/