Mark Carey

London

Data Analyst and Football Writer at The Athletic

Senior Data Analyst for @TheAthleticFC | PhD in Psychology | Co-host of the Football Fanalytics Podcast @fanalyticspod ⬇️

Articles

Ollie Watkins is now Aston Villa's record Premier League goalscorer

3 days ago | nytimes.com | Jacob Tanswell |Mark Carey

Down in Dorset, Ollie Watkins finally did it. A goal against Bournemouth on Saturday means Watkins has surpassed Gabriel Agbonlahor's total of 74 in the Premier League for Aston Villa, so has scored more times for the club than any player since English football's top division was rebranded in 1992.
Xabi Alonso worked wonders at Bayer Leverkusen. Would his tactics and style suit Real Madrid?

5 days ago | nytimes.com | Mark Carey |Thom Harris

There we were thinking player transfer sagas involving Real Madrid were long and drawn out, with an eerie sense of inevitability. After months of speculation, Xabi Alonso has finally confirmed that he will be stepping down as Bayer Leverkusen coach at the end of the season.
How the Premier League fell in love with long throws again

6 days ago | nytimes.com | Ahmed Walid |Mark Carey

Football tactics have experienced a boom in recent years, but even the most progressive fan still loves to see their team 'stick it in the mixer'. In many ways, the football we watch has become increasingly cultured in the Premier League, but ask yourself this: who doesn't reminisce about Rory Delap's iconic long throw-ins for Stoke City in the late 2000s?
What were Arsenal the best at in the Champions League?

1 week ago | nytimes.com | Mark Carey

Mikel Arteta has been engaging in some mental gymnastics this week. Before Arsenal's Champions League semi-final second leg against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, Arteta had his tongue firmly in his cheek when suggesting his side should have two domestic titles to show for their efforts in recent seasons. "Winning trophies is about being in the right moment in the right place," Arteta told reporters. "Liverpool have won the title with fewer points than we have in the last two seasons.
So your club can't land Liam Delap this summer

1 week ago | nytimes.com | Mark Carey |Thom Harris

Right now it would be quicker to list the teams who are not interested in Liam Delap. In a season of struggle at Ipswich Town, the 22-year-old has been one of few players in a blue shirt who has stood out in the strongest league of European football. Crucially, his attributes are in demand this summer, with a long line of clubs forming a queue for Delap's services.
Barcelona's radical high line

1 week ago | nytimes.com | Pol Ballús |Mark Carey

A madcap Champions League semi-final first leg between Barcelona and Inter was delicately poised at 3-3 when we caught a glimpse of the fine margins behind the Catalans' success this season. In the 74th minute at Montjuic, right-back Denzel Dumfries produced a perfect cross from the right-hand side across Barca's defensive line.
A data and tactical breakdown

2 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Mark Carey |Ahmed Walid

Sunday afternoon was a day reserved for jubilation. With Liverpool confirmed as Premier League champions, the outpouring of emotion from fans, players and coaching staff was a sight that will live long in the memory of all those associated with the club. A 5-1 procession against Tottenham Hotspur meant celebrations began long before the final whistle blew - inside and outside Anfield.
Breaking down the strengths and weaknesses of all four contenders

2 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Mark Carey |Conor O'Neill

From 36 clubs at the start of the season, just four remain. After four quarter-finals filled with tension, it is Inter and Barcelona, and Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain who face off in two blockbuster semi-final ties. While the remaining quartet still represent some of Europe's heavyweight clubs, there is a refreshing narrative that is guaranteed to occur this year.
Declan Rice was cooking: How Arsenal's all-action midfielder dominated Real Madrid

4 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Mark Carey

In a tie stacked with nearly one-third of this year's Ballon d'Or shortlist, one player stood out above the rest in Arsenal's Champions League tie with Real Madrid. Sit down, Kylian Mbappe. Don't get up, Vinicius Junior. Step aside for a moment, Jude Bellingham - Declan Rice wants a word. In the first Champions League quarter-final of his career, Rice put in back-to-back man-of-the-match performances to help Arsenal to the final four of the competition for the first time since 2009.
UEFA Champions League semi-finals: How to watch, dates, kick-off times

4 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Leon Imber |Mark Carey

With just four teams remaining in the Champions League, the competition has truly entered its business end. Holders Real Madrid - 15-time winners of the competition - exited via a 5-1 aggregate quarter-final defeat by Arsenal, leaving Inter as the only remaining semi-finalist to have won the Champions League. Here is all you need to know about the remainder of the 2024-25 Champions League campaign. What happened in the quarter-finals?