Premier League data dive: Trossard claims a rare treble

Casemiro was sent off again on Sunday

Leandro Trossard and Casemiro were the two standout performers in Sunday’s Premier League action – albeit for contrasting reasons.

Belgium international Trossard provided inspiration as Arsenal’s title triumph stayed on course, while Casemiro earned a second red card in three Premier League appearances as Manchester United slipped again.

Miguel Almiron is the hero of Newcastle United, Eddie Howe’s men are closing in on a Champions League place again, and Ollie Watkins continued his fine form for Aston Villa in the draw with West Ham.

After the day’s drama ended, Stats Perform highlighted Opta’s pick of numbers.

Manchester United 0-0 Southampton: Another red case of Casemiro threatens to derail Ten Hag’s squad

Casemiro has undoubtedly been one of United’s best players this season but if they are now missing out on the top four, the Brazil international is to blame.

His first-half sending off on Sunday for a tough challenge on Carlos Alcaraz proved costly, with United just one point later.

It made him the first United player to receive two red cards in a single Premier League season since Nemanja Vidic in 2013-14, and the second player to earn a pair of red cards in his first season for the club after Darren Fletcher (2003-04). .

He will now miss the next four games – at the end of that period, he will be suspended for eight games this year alone.

While some United fans may have the perception that this was always going to be the risk that comes with signing a player like Casemiro, he was never shown a straight red card throughout his senior career prior to his move to Old Trafford.

Of course, for Southampton, Casemiro’s sacking proved helpful. Although they were unable to get the win they may have felt they deserved, Saints managed to keep a third clean sheet in four games under Ruben Selles – one more than their previous 34 league outings.

Fulham 0-3 Arsenal: Trossard inspires as the Gunners continue to face the death penalty

Arsenal’s comprehensive win at Craven Cottage was their fifth successive away win in the London derby without conceding a goal.

It was a feat the club had never done before in the Premier League.

Trossard played a key role in a unique feat of his own, setting up all three of Arsenal’s goals, with each of them coming in the first half.

In doing so, the Belgian became the first player to score a hat-trick of assists in the first half of a Premier League away game.

Trossard’s second goal was a cross which Gabriel Martinelli tapped in for a close-range header, the Brazilian netting his 23rd top-flight goal for the club.

He is now one step away from overtaking Nicolas Anelka as the foreign player with the most Premier League goals for the club before turning 22.

A busy first half kept the Gunners on course for the title race, five points clear of second-placed Manchester City.

West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa: Watkins in the groove

Unai Emery has managed to steady the ship at Aston Villa since replacing Steven Gerrard in the dugout and Watkins’ form has been one of the most notable improvements.

The striker scored again on Sunday, opening the scoring at the London Stadium when he headed in Alex Moreno’s cross.

Since the World Cup, only Marcus Rashford (10), Erling Haaland (10) and Harry Kane (eight) have scored more Premier League goals than Watkins (seven).

That includes a goal in each of his last four Premier League away games, which is the longest scoring by a Villa player since Dwight Yorke between March and May 1998 (also four).

Unfortunately for Villa, West Ham leveled just nine minutes later through Said Benrahma, who appeared lively.

His penalty continued his 100 per cent record from the spot in Premier League football, with the third in three goals for West Ham who also converted 4/4 at Brentford.

Over the course of 90 minutes, Benrahma had 10 shots, which is a record (since the 2003–04 season) for a West Ham player in a single Premier League game.

However, he cannot alone inspire a turnaround.

Newcastle United 2-1 Wolves: Almiron appears again

Almiron has improved this season, becoming a key player for Newcastle and a regular source of goals.

A recent dip in form has seen him dropped from the starting XI for the visit of Wolves on Sunday, but he has responded well.

Eleven minutes after his introduction in the second half, he found space on the right side of the box and saw a deflected effort concede

That was his fourth winning goal of the season — the most among Newcastle players — and his 11th goal in total in the Premier League, which is four than his previous four campaigns combined.

Earlier, Hwang Hee-chan had equalised just 57 seconds after coming off the bench, making it the second-fastest substitute goal of the season.

But the day belonged to Almiron as Newcastle ended a five-match winless streak.