Being top of the points table is the dream for every Premier League club, but there is certainly one table that you do not want to be top of, and that is the table for the most red cards in the history of the competition.
Be it talking back to the referee, fighting on the pitch, persistent fouling or simply rocking up with a horrendous tackle on an opponent, there have been plenty of dramatic red cards dished out to Premier League players over the years.
While the game is undeniably changing, the drama and controversy surrounding a red card will always remain. Which clubs have the most red cards in the history of the Premier League?
The top 10 clubs with the most red cards in Premier League history
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10. Aston Villa – 69
The likes of Gareth Barry, Lee Hendrie and Dion Dublin all chipped in to help Aston Villa clinch a spot in the top 10 list.
Elsewhere, it’s been somewhat of a team effort that has resulted in the Villans seeing red so often, but it is indeed unsurprising given the fact Villa have played in 28 full Premier League campaigns, just three short of the likes of mainstays Manchester United and Liverpool.
Aston Villa received their first red card of the 2024/25 Premier League campaign when Jadon Philogene received his marching orders for a second bookable offence in Villa's 3-1 win against Fulham at Craven Cottage. The now departed Jhon Duran was also sent off in the Villans' 3-0 defeat to Newcastle at St. James' Park.
9. Manchester United – 75
Speaking of the Red Devils, they find themselves ninth in the all-time Premier League red cards list, with the footballing giants handed 73 such cards during their constant stay in the competition.
Again unsurprisingly, it is a certain midfielder by the name of Roy Keane who leads the way in terms of ex-Man United players, well supported by the likes of Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes, Nemanja Vidic, Nani, Paul Pogba and even Cristiano Ronaldo.
Bruno Fernandes was given a red card in Manchester United's 3-0 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford, but it was overturned after a review after the game finished. However, the Portugal international midfield player was also sent off in the Red Devils' 2-0 defeat against Wolves at Molineux, while January signing Patrick Dorgu was also shown his marching orders in United's 3-2 victory against Ipswich at Old Trafford.
8. Blackburn Rovers – 77
They may not be playing Premier League football anymore, but Blackburn Rovers were once a mainstay of the competition, and as the evidence shows, the team were not afraid of flying in with a tackle or two.
6= Tottenham Hotspur – 78
Another club that has played in all seasons of the Premier League are Tottenham Hotspur, with the north London outfit constantly battling it out with the big guns to topple the likes of Man United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and, of course, rivals Arsenal.
Back then, former players Gus Poyet and Younes Kaboul were no strangers to an early bath.
Spurs have only received one red card so far in the 2024/25 campaign, which was given to Djed Spence in their 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
6= Manchester City – 78
Man City weren’t always Premier League title challengers, but the financial income of recent years has helped etch their name in the competition’s history. Former centre-backs Richard Dunne and Vincent Kompany lead the way alongside ex-midfield anchor Fernandinho, all of whom have received at least three.
Pep Guardiola's side received their first red card of the 2024/25 Premier League campaign in their 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Rico Lewis was given it, after scoring in the same game.
5. West Ham – 86
The likes of Steve Lomas, Kevin Nolan, Paul Konchesky, Carlton Cole and John Hartson saw red for East London side West Ham in the Premier League, as did the incomparable former captain Mark Noble.
After a long period of miserable runs in the top flight, the Hammers have finally made their mark in the Premier League in recent years, and with such constant competition comes passion and intensity on the pitch, which often results in a red card or two.
West Ham have received three red in the Premier League so far this campaign, as one was given to Mohammed Kudus when the Hammers lost 4-1 against London rivals Spurs at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Another was shown to Edson Alvarez during West Ham's 3-0 defeat away at Nottingham Forest, while Konstantinos Mavropanos was also sent off in West Ham's 2-0 defeat at home to fellow London rivals Crystal Palace.
4. Chelsea – 90
Premier League giants Chelsea have always been in the thick of it for things like titles, wins and goals, but they are also fond of a red card. The Blues have often done whatever it takes to get the win, and that has inevitably involved picking up red cards here and there.
Again somewhat unsurprisingly, it is former skipper John Terry who tops Chelsea’s Premier League red card list. Still, he is joined by Trevor Sinclair, with the pair closely followed by a long list of players that includes Frank Lampard, Dennis Wise, Michael Essien, Thibaut Courtois and Cesar Azpilicueta.
The Blues received their first red card of the 2024/25 campaign in their 2-1 win against fellow West London rivals Brentford at Stamford Bridge when Marc Cucurella was sent off for an incident after the full-time whistle was blown.
3. Newcastle – 94
Newcastle have only missed three Premier League seasons since the league's inception in 1992/93 and is, therefore well, well-versed in all of the drama surrounding red cards. Two of their own players – Lee Bowyer and Kieron Dyer – even saw red for an on-field scuffle back in April 2005.
Both saw red twice in their Newcastle careers, as did Steven Taylor, Aleksandr Mitrovic and Nolberto Solano. It is, however, former defender Fabricio Coloccini who tops the Magpies’ list with four, with Pavel Srnicek in second on three reds.
Newcastle have received one red card in this Premier League campaign so far, which was in their opening day win against Southampton at St. James' Park, as Fabian Schar saw red in their 1-0 victory.
1= Arsenal – 109
Arsenal have been handed more than 100 red cards throughout their uninterrupted spell in the Premier League. Former midfield maestro Patrick Vieira was responsible for eight of those offences alone, with the ex-France star sitting joint-top of the all-time list.
The likes of Martin Keown, Laurent Koscielny, Sol Campbell, Tony Adams and, indeed, current manager Mikel Arteta were also no strangers to seeing red while on the pitch for the Gunners.
Arsenal have received as many as five red cards in the 2024/25 Premier League season so far, with William Saliba's dismissal in their 2-0 defeat away at AFC Bournemouth their third in just the opening eight games.
Both Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard have also been sent off for two bookable offences in draws at home to Brighton and Hove Albion and away to Manchester City, respectively, while Myles Lewis-Skelly has been shown two red cards, one that was rescinded from Arsenal's 1-0 win away at Wolves, and one from their 1-0 defeat against West Ham United at the Emirates Stadium.
1= Everton – 109
The Premier League’s joint-dirtiest team are Everton, who have picked up 109 serious offences throughout their life in the top flight. It is perhaps very unsurprising, given that Richard Dunne and Duncan Ferguson are joint-top of the all-time red card list with Vieira with eight each.
Unlike the other ever-presents, Everton have never finished in the Premier League's podium places. On three occasions, they have stayed up on the last day, while they have failed to attain mathematical safety before the final home game of the season in two of the previous three seasons.
So it stands to reason that there would be a rash challenge here and there in difficult times. One little-known fact is that Everton once had the highest disciplinary points score in consecutive seasons (1997/98 and 1998/99), even though the latter campaign saw them sell Duncan Ferguson to Newcastle United in November 1998!
Everton have received two red card in the Premier League this season: Ashley Young when he got sent off in the Toffees' 3-0 defeat against Brighton and Hove Albion at Goodison Park, and Abdoulaye Doucoure when he received a second yellow card for his antics after the final whistle in Everton's 2-2 draw at home to Liverpool in the Merseyside derby.
Which team has seen the most red cards in 2024/25?
Arsenal lead the way, as Lewis-Skelly received their fourth and fifth red cards of the 2024/25 campaign so far. The fourth one for a challenge on Wolves defender Matt Doherty, while the fifth was for denying Mohammed Kudus a goalscoring opportunity against West Ham.
Rice and Trossard were dismissed this season for similar instances, as both kicking the ball away already on yellow cards and delaying the restart, which were bookable offences and therefore gave no choice for the on-field official at the time to send them both off. Saliba was dismissed for denying Evanilson a goalscoring opportunity with his challenge on the Brazilian striker against Bournemouth.
Interesting facts about PL red cards
Who got the most red cards in 2023/24?
The short answer is Burnley, who racked up seven dismissals en route to relegation in 19th place. Never quite with it from the off, they had to resort to desperate measures to keep alive any chance of avoiding relegation.
What is the record for the most red cards in a season?
Sunderland's 2009/10 squad saw a player receive his marching orders on nine occasions in league action.
What is the worst PL red card ever received?
Martin Taylor's horrendous challenge on Eduardo in February 2008 takes some beating. It was cynical and brutal and snapped the Croatian's leg clean in two. Eduardo was never the same again, and though Arsene Wenger's recommendation of a lifetime ban for Taylor never came to anything, he left an indelible stain on his legacy.
Dishonourable mentions
Some dishonourable mentions include Manchester City's Ben Thatcher's horrendous challenge on Portsmouth's Pedro Mendes, Manchester United's Roy Keane's memorable challenge on Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland's father Alf-Inge Haaland, Stoke's Ryan Shawcross breaking Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey's leg and Everton's Duncan Ferguson's gut punch on Wigan's Paul Scharner.
Who got the PL's first-ever red card?
Mickey Quinn received the PL's first red while playing for Manchester City in a 2-0 defeat at Middlesbrough on 19 August 1992. Later that same evening, Micky Adams saw red for Southampton as the Saints went down 3-1 to QPR in the capital.
But his agony is nothing compared to this group of players who have seen red in the Champions League final!
