Ranking the Top 10 Premier League Goalkeepers from the First Half of the Season

Half of the season is almost over.  It's time to rank the top goalies thus far in the Premier League. 

Like all players, it is somewhat difficult to do these rankings because there are 10 other players on their team that contribute to an individual player's stats.  This is especially true for goalies. 

For instance, a shutout is always impressive for a goalie, but if the opposing team only had possession for 30 percent of the game and only had three shots on goal, then the credit for the shutout is more for the 10 field players as opposed to the goalie. 

So while this list is largely based on stats, it is ultimately somewhat subjective.  I also understand that with many games going on every day, these stats are constantly changing.  Hopefully, the stats are current as of the time this list is published.

Let me know if you agree or disagree with my interpretation of the stats and with this list.

On with the rankings. 

Goals conceded: 28

Shots faced:  94

Goals per game average:  1.56

Shutouts:  4

Robinson mainly makes this list over some of his other counterparts due to the fact that he has faced so many shots on goal.  1.56 goals per game isn't the best average, but he has faced many more shots than most other goalies.

Performance against league leaders:

Robinson did also have a terrible game against Manchester United where he gave up seven goals.  However, he has been fairly strong against the other league leaders.  He did give up four to Tottenham, but held Chelsea and Arsenal to two goals and only gave up one against Man City.          

Goals conceded:  18

Shots on goal faced:  65

Goals allowed per game average: 1.3

Shutouts: 2

Performance against the league leaders:

Gomes has been solid when it has mattered. He shutout Manchester City, held Chelsea to only goal including a late penalty save and Arsenal and Manchester United both only scored twice.  A solid performance.   

Goals conceded:  20

Shots faced on goal faced: 79

Goals allowed per game average: 1.25

Shutouts: 1

Jaaskelainen only has one shutout and did have a game against Newcastle where he gave up five goals.  Otherwise, he's been stellar.  Like many goalies for the middle of the table clubs, he faces a lot of shots and has done well at keeping Bolton competitive.

Performance against the league leaders:

He struggled against Arsenal by giving up four goals.  However, he has otherwise been solid conceding two goals to both Tottenham and Manchester United and holding Man City and Chelsea to one goal apiece.   

Goals conceded:  23

Shots faced on goal faced: 67

Goals allowed per game average: 1.29

Shutouts: 6

Reina has had a solid season despite Liverpool having one of their worst seasons in recent history.  His six shutouts are particularly impressive and have been needed since Liverpool can hardly score against opponents.

Performance against league leaders:

Reina has had mixed results against the league leaders.  He gave up three goals to both Manchester City and Manchester United, but held Arsenal to just one goal and shutout Chelsea. 

Goals conceded:  16

Shots faced on goal faced: 69

Goals allowed per game average: 1.14

Shutouts: 6

Schwarzer is another goalie that has been absolutely dominant even though his team has struggled. He has six shutouts and has only allowed 16 goals which has been crucial considering Fulham's offense has been dismal.

Performance against league leaders:

Schwarzer has been another mixed bag with the league leaders.  He allowed four goals to Manchester City, but he only allowed two to United, Arsenal and Tottenham.  He also held Chelsea to just one goal. 

Goals conceded:  22

Shots faced on goal faced: 70

Goals allowed per game average: 1.17

Shutouts: 5

Howard, like Schwarzer, has helped Everton stay competitive this season. Everton was off to a rough start but has slowly been climbing up the table.  Howard is a major reason they have survived and made it out of the first half in a decent position.       

Performance against league leaders:

This is the main stat the gave Howard the edge over Schwarzer and previous people on this list.  He did give up three goals to Manchester United and two to Arsenal.  But he held Tottenham, City and Chelsea to one goal each.  Not an easy task. 

Goals conceded:  17

Shots faced on goal faced: 63

Goals allowed per game average: 1.0

Shutouts: 7

The old man can still play.  In his latter years he is still as dominant as ever. Granted, he hasn't faced as many shots on goal as some of his counterparts, but he does have seven shutouts to his name. 

He is a vital part of United's success and has proven yet again that he is still one of the best in the business. 

Performance against league leaders:

Flawless.  Van der Sar can boast a shutout against Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham thus far this season.  Why is this his last season with United again?  He is going to be difficult to replace. 

Goals conceded: 21

Shots on goal faced: 106

Goals allowed per game average: 1.2

Shutouts: 6

This may seem a little high for Foster since Birmingham is fighting off relegation at the moment.  However, it is Foster that has been stellar and keeping Birmingham competitive.

Foster has faced over 100 shots on goal—the most of anyone on this list.  He has only allowed 20 goals, giving him a 1.18 goals per game average. 

Foster has six shutouts, which has been vital since Birmingham has struggled on offense.  In four of the six shutouts, Birmingham has also failed to score. 

Performance against league leaders:

Foster has been dominant against the best competition.  He shut out Manchester City and has held Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham to one goal apiece. 

Goals conceded: 15

Average goals allowed per game: 0.78

Shots Against: 72

Shutouts: 8

Petr Cech, like always, has been dominant this season.  Many would argue that he benefits from having such a strong squad in front of him.  However, this is a down year, at least for Chelsea standards.  Yet Cech is playing better than ever and keeping Chelsea in the title hunt.

Cech has given up 16 goals this season—less than a goal per game.  That stat is also impressive considering he has faced more shots on goal this season than many of the players that were before him on this list.                

Performance against league leaders:

Cech struggled in the most recent game against Arsenal giving up three goals.  However, in their previous meeting he shutout Arsenal.  He has also only allowed one goal to both Manchester City and Tottenham. 

Goals conceded:  15

Shots on goal faced:  70

Goals per game average:  .78

Shutouts:  10

It's amazing that Fabio Capello kept his job as England's manager.  England suffered from goalkeeping woes during the World Cup, yet Capello had Hart at his disposal the entire time.

Hart has been nothing short of spectacular this season. He made his debut for Manchester City in impressive fashion against Tottenham in the first game of the season.  The Spurs bombarded Hart, yet were unable to score. 

Many other teams have suffered the similar fate as Hart has 10 shutouts this season—the most of anyone on this list.

It was a close decision between Hart and Cech.  However, Hart has conceded one less goal this season and has more shutouts than Cech—including a shutout against Chelsea.

Performance against league leaders:

Solid and nearly flawless.  He struggled against Arsenal and gave up three goals.  However, he has shutouts against Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester United.