Premier League ‘Fair Play’ Table in 2025/26

In the 2025/26 Premier League season so far, it has become clear that tactics – and the way teams go about winning – have gone back in time. Tony Pulis and others were heavily criticised in recent years for relying on route-one football and set-pieces to grind out results, but suddenly, everyone seems to be doing it.

A quick look at the set-piece tracker shows just how much successful teams are leaning on dead-ball situations, while Liverpool have been notably undone by long balls over their defence, as old-fashioned English football appears to be back in vogue. Of course, this resurgence also brings the unwelcome by-products of time-wasting and dark arts.

Speaking of which, what about the shift in sportsmanship and one-upmanship? Has that also reverted to the rougher edge of the Barclays-era Premier League? We’ve taken a look at the ‘fair play’ table, courtesy of Transfermarkt – which tallies points for yellow and red cards – to find out.

1-5

Arsenal picked up six yellow cards in their recent 1-1 draw with Chelsea, making them the first team this season to receive a fine for hitting the maximum threshold. The fact that they still rank as the fairest team in the top flight shows that the questions asked in the intro have a clear answer: yes, the return to dark-arts football has coincided with a rougher, more booking-heavy style of play.

Next up are Manchester United, whose single red card keeps them from taking top spot in the fair-play standings as one of the teams that have mostly avoided heavy-handed officiating. Nottingham Forest, prone to defensive errors that often lead to more yellow cards as they soak up pressure, are next with 20 bookings, placing them 17th.

Newcastle have collected eight fewer yellow cards than Forest, but Anthony Gordon’s costly red card against Liverpool and Dan Burn’s two bookable offences against Brentford push them above Forest. Burnley round out the bottom five – the five fairest clubs so far this season.

6-10

Half of all Premier League clubs have received a red card this season, and while Leeds United have avoided picking up too many yellows, their single sending-off means they narrowly miss out on the top five fairest teams. Manchester City are considered one of the cleaner sides, with their “pass them to death” mantra rarely requiring tough tackles, and their 24 yellow cards keep them high in the table.

Crystal Palace have collected one more yellow, taking their tally to 25. This matches Brentford’s record, as well as that of champions Liverpool. The Reds boast a squad full of technical ability, and one of the main criticisms of their title defence so far has been their lack of physicality, which could easily explain why they haven’t received many bookings.

In the context of the Arne Slot era, that is both a positive and a potential drawback. Certainly, they benefit from not having to temper the emotions of the likes of Darwin Nunez, but sometimes, you need players with that unrestrained chaos to win you matches where the battle is being closely fought.

11-15

Aston Villa are technically on the same points as the aforementioned trio; however, their one red card places them 11th. Fulham, with 26 yellow cards, sit 12th, while West Ham are 13th despite picking up the third-fewest bookings in the 2025/26 campaign.

That ranking is due to their two red cards this term – the first a straight dismissal, and the second involving Lucas Paquete, who received two quick bookings in the 2-0 defeat to Liverpool. After being cautioned for a foul, the Brazilian continued protesting to the referee and was shown a second yellow for dissent, almost as though he had a bet on it.

Everton have also experienced a bizarre red card this season after Idrissa Gueye lashed out at teammate Michael Keane. Even so, only a handful of teams have accumulated more overall bookings than Tottenham, who have an astonishing 32 yellow cards from 13 matches.

16-20

“Boring, boring Chelsea” used to be the chant rival fans sang to mock the club’s defensive approach under Jose Mourinho. But under Enzo Maresca this season, the Blues’ matches have been anything but boring. They have already received four red cards in their 13 league games, with Robert Sanchez, Malo Gusto, Trevoh Chalobah and Moises Caicedo all seeing red. Alongside their 24 yellow cards, they currently rank as the most ill-disciplined team in the league.

Bournemouth have collected the most entries in the referee’s book, amassing 34 yellow cards and a red for good measure. Meanwhile, Wolves – the only side still searching for their first win – haven’t helped themselves by picking up two red cards, underlining that both discipline and performances have been below par.

Just avoiding the conversation around the league’s most ill-disciplined sides are Brighton & Hove Albion, who have 33 yellow cards but, remarkably, no sendings-off. Sunderland follow closely behind with one red card and 27 yellows.