Mail Online

It’s like watching the NFL!

By Henry Clark

PREMIER LEAGUE matches were at risk of becoming as disjointed as American football as fans endured a mass of stoppages yesterday.

Play was halted a total of 49 times, including substitutions and drinks breaks, with four games exceeding 100 minutes. The number does not include pauses for VAR or lengthy injuries.

During Brentford’s win over Manchester United, the ball was in play for just 46.3 per cent of the game — the lowest figure in the league this weekend. In two other games, the ball was in play for less than half the match.

It added to a sense of frustration brewing on the terraces that fans are getting to watch less action every week while still having to fork out huge sums for tickets. Some are questioning whether clubs in winning positions are abusing the new five substitution rule to run down the clock, rather than for player welfare reasons, as the rule was intended. Aston Villa made a triple substitution in the 94th minute with their game against Everton poised at 2-1.

Drinks breaks were permitted but rather than lasting the 60 seconds advised, several went well over two minutes. Managers gave team talks and one break in Wolves against Fulham took two minutes and 34 seconds.

Premier League

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2022-08-14T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-08-14T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://mailonline.pressreader.com/article/284636081159043

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