"The Premier League is now 21 games in -- just a bit past the exact halfway of the 38-game season -- and we've reached a point where the league is taking a week off and every team has played every other team at least once. So, that means it's time to check in on the various award races."
"Most of the Premier League's awards are determined by statistics: Golden Boot (most goals), Playmaker of the Year (most assists), Golden Glove (most saves), and, yes, they also have something called "The Premier League Most Powerful Goal," which is given to the player who kicks the ball the hardest before it crosses the goal line."
"If it feels like there haven't been as many great goals this season, it's because, well, there haven't been that many open-play goals. A goal from a throw-in or a corner kick has such a high bar to clear for it to deserve a place on this list. Sure, we'd throw a bone to one of those clipped diagonal balls to a guy at the top of the box who then volleys it into the upper-corner,"
The Premier League season sits just past its midpoint at 21 games, prompting assessment of award races. Many awards are decided by counting statistics such as goals, assists, and saves. The league also records unconventional metrics like shot speed for a “Most Powerful Goal” distinction. Four major subjective awards under consideration are goal of the season, young player of the season, manager of the season, and player of the season. Open-play goals have been relatively scarce, raising the standard for goal candidates. Set-piece goals face higher scrutiny as teams have improved defensive organization, and long-range strikes are reemerging.
Read at ESPN.com
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