According to the stats (at time of writing), here are the top 10
dirtiest players in the Prem this season, in terms of fouls
committed. In reverse order...
10. George Boateng (Middlesbrough) - 59
fouls
Boateng is a robust, destructive player who gets through a lot of
"work" in each game. He loves a sliding tackle, does George, but
they don't always come off.
9. Dimitar Berbatov (Spurs) - 59 fouls
What's this - the silky-skilled Bulgarian is also a fouling
machine? Strikers are fouled so often that they frequently lash out
in retaliation. They also get whistled a lot for backing in to
centre-halfs, which goes some way to explaining Berby's appearance
on this list. He can be a petulant sod too.
8. Nigel Reo-Coker (Aston Villa) - 63
fouls
Much like Boateng before him, Reo-Coker is a midfielder who gets
through a lot of dirty work. The young Englishman appears on this
list because he's doing his job well.
7. Benjani (Man City) - 64 fouls
One of the most physical strikers in the Premier League, he always
gives as good as he gets.
6. Gareth Barry (Aston Villa) - 64 fouls
5. Carlton Cole (West Ham) - 66 fouls
4. Michael Brown (Wigan) - 74 fouls
3. Alan Smith (Newcastle) - 76 fouls
2. John Carew (Aston Villa) - 78 fouls
The third Villa player on the list (and the fourth to wear
claret-and-blue) is a menace to defenders around the league. Carew
is bigger and harder than most opponents, and he loves to let them
know it.
1. Kevin Davies (Bolton) - 82 fouls
Congratulations to Kevin and Bolton, who will finish top of one
table this season. Davies relishes the physcial aspect of football,
but he might have been more successful in a different era.