IN CONTROL OR LEAVING IT LATE? ANALYSING PREMIER LEAGUE GAME STATES IN 2025-26
Matchday 7 Analysis: Which Teams Dominate and Who's Playing Catch-Up Which teams have held a winning position the longest in the Premier League this season, and who has spent the most time trailing? We analyze every team's time spent in each game state across 2025-26 after seven matchdays. MANCHESTER CITY: MASTERS OF THE LEAD Manchester City might not be top of the league during the October international break, but they've been the most prolific team in terms of holding a lead in the Premier League this season. Pep Guardiola's side have been leading for 423 minutes and 15 seconds in Premier League matches this term – a massive 119 minutes and four seconds longer than any other side. They've been in the lead across 60% of their total minutes in the competition in 2025-26, helped by the fact they have scored inside the opening 20 minutes in four of their seven games. One notable example came against Arsenal on 21 September, when Erling Haaland put them into a ...