Martin Tyler's stats: One-nil to the Arsenal? Man Utd's slow starts and promoted sides' success

By Martin Tyler, Football Commentator & Columnist

Martin Tyler brings you his first teaser of the new year from Goodison Park

How does the success of the three promoted clubs compare with previous seasons? Are Arsenal the ultimate 1-0 winners? And how slow are Manchester United out of the traps at Old Trafford?

Martin Tyler answers all of your stats-based questions in this week's column, including a look at Willian's success outside of the box, and Andy Carroll's with his head.

We also have the answer to last week's Tyler's Teaser in the video above, plus another question ahead of the FA Cup weekend. 

How to send your questions to Martin:

1: Email your posers to skysportsclub@bskyb.com

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2. Tweet @SkyFootball using the hashtag #TylersTeasers

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It was an entertaining Super Sunday at Goodison Park, and the 1-1 draw extended Tottenham's fine record over Everton in the Premier League.

They have now played 48, won 22, drawn 18 and lost just eight of their Premier League games against the Toffees, and are now seven unbeaten. Aaron Lennon's opener was in fact only the second goal Everton have scored against Spurs in their last six games, and was also the club's 33rd from open play this season out of 36. 

Image: Everton's Aaron Lennon scores against Spurs on Super Sunday, but the Toffees have a poor record against his old club

In-form striker Romelu Lukaku has not scored in seven games against Tottenham, and hasn't won a game for Everton against the north London side. But his assist for Lennon's opener was his fifth of the season, while the other four have all been for Arouna Kone.

Midfielder Dele Alli continues to be the most-used teenager in the Premier League, scoring his fifth goal of the season on his 18th appearance, while Tottenham kept up their record of scoring in every away game in Premier League since the opening-day defeat at Manchester United.

Harry Kane hit the inside of the post in the first half, and is stuck on 49 Spurs goals in 103 appearances in all competitions. The striker is also stuck on 49 career league goals, 35 of which have come in the Premier League, nine in the Championship and five in League One. 

Last season's promoted teams have a collective points haul of 73 so far - how does that compare to previous seasons? Martin, London

MARTIN SAYS: Watford, Bournemouth and Norwich have fared quite well in the Premier League this season in comparison to previous promoted sides, with their total of 73 the fifth-best haul after 20 games.

The best-performing trio were Ipswich, Middlesbrough and Blackburn in the first edition of the Premier League in 1992/93 as they managed 92 points between them.

Image: Bournemouth, Watford and Norwich have a combined 73 points after 20 games

Blackburn would finish the season in fourth place while Ipswich ended up in 16th and Boro were relegated.

The closest any three promoted sides have come to matching that total was in 2000/01 when Charlton, Manchester City and Ipswich had 78 points after 20 games.

The worst-performing trio were Norwich, Crystal Palace and West Brom in 2004/05, who picked up just 41 points in the first 20 games of the 2004/05 season. Both Palace and Norwich would be relegated and the Baggies ended just a point above the relegation zone.

Manchester United failed to score again at home in the first half against Swansea, how does their first-half haul so far compare to previous Premier League seasons at Old Trafford? Are they on course for the worst-ever record? Jack, Peterborough

MARTIN SAYS: Manchester United have scored just two first-half goals in 10 home league games this season - and one of those was an own goal netted by Tottenham's Kyle Walker on the opening day of the campaign.

The other was scored by Memphis Depay against Sunderland in September, and the tally of two is by far their lowest at this stage of a Premier League season.

United's previous worst after 10 games was six, which they achieved in 2013/14, 2004/05 and 1992/93, while their best was the 16 they scored in 1997/98.

Louis van Gaal's side are well on course to break the record for lowest first-half home goals in an entire season also; their current worst tally was 11 in 2013/14 and 2004/05. 

Image: Manchester United have scored just two Premier League goals at Old Trafford in the first half this season

No Premier League team has failed to score a first-half home goal after 10 games, but four sides - Aston Villa in 2013/14, Crystal Palace in 1994/95, Middlesbrough in 2003/04 and Sunderland in 2001/02 - scored just one.

The lowest amount for a completed season was achieved by Sunderland in 2002/03 when they finished bottom of the league after scoring just three times in the first half at the Stadium of Light.

But games are played over 90 minutes, and you do not earn points for scoring in the first-half. Van Gaal will argue his side have been on good form this season at home in the Premier League, having lost just one of their 10 games, conceding just four goals. 

Arsenal picked up their 100th 1-0 win in the Premier League against Newcastle - how does that rank? Are they really the 1-0 kings? Duncan, Gooner

MARTIN SAYS: As the famous chant goes: "1-0 to the Arsenal...", but two clubs rank above the Gunners in the list of most single-goal wins; Chelsea (115) and Manchester United (110) have won more games by that scoreline in the Premier League.

Image: Laurent Koscielny gave Arsenal their 100th Premier League win by the 1-0 scoreline

Both United and Arsenal have won two matches 1-0 this season while Chelsea have only achieved it once against Norwich.

In fourth place for all-time 1-0 wins in the Premier League are Everton (88), followed by Aston Villa (85), Liverpool (84) and Tottenham (83).

Willian seems to score most of his goals from outside the box this season. Has he scored the most in the Premier League? John, Newcastle

MARTIN SAYS: In all competitions this season, seven of Willian's eight goals have come from outside the area but when it comes to the Premier League, Willian leads the way with three long-range goals alongside Sergio Aguero and Yaya Toure.

In fact, the Brazilian has not scored any close-range goals for Chelsea this season, with his three strikes against Crystal Palace, Southampton and Newcastle all from distance.

Image: Chelsea's Brazilian midfielder Willian celebrates his third goal of the season; all have come from outside the box

Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho has attempted the most shots on goal from outside the box (15) in the Premier League, ahead of Toure (14) and Christian Eriksen (11). Ross Barkley, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Kevin de Bruyne have all had 10 while Willian has had just nine.

Where does Andy Carroll rank having scored 51 per cent of his Premier League goals with headers? Lee, Cardiff

MARTIN SAYS: Of his 37 top-flight goals, Carroll has scored 19 with his head, putting him eighth on the all-time list of players who have scored over 20 Premier League goals.

Leading the way is Sami Hyypia, who hit 17 of his 22 goals with his head (77 per cent) followed by Sol Campbell's 15 in 20 (75 per cent) and John Terry's 27 in 39 (69 per cent).

Image: Andy Carroll has scored 19 of his 37 top flight goals with his head

Tim Cahill (31 headed goals out of 56 - 55 per cent), Kenwyne Jones (22 of 40 - 55 per cent), Duncan Ferguson (36 of 68 - 53 per cent) and Joleon Lescott (12 of 23 - 52 per cent) complete the top eight above Carroll.

Peter Crouch's 47 headed goals represents the highest of any Premier League player, ahead of Alan Shearer on 46. 

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