After
Joe Hart and Lukasz Fabianski failed to keep clean sheets in Manchester
City’s 4-2 win over Swansea, five goalkeepers remain in contention to win
the Golden Glove heading into the final week of the Premier League campaign.
Chelsea’s Petr Cech and Wojciech Szczesny of Arsenal were the joint-winners
last season with 16 clean sheets each, but this year there are four
goalkeepers currently tied on 13 shut-outs, while Thibaut Courtois is on 12
with two games to play.
The award used to be decided on a clean sheets-to-games ratio in the event
of a tie but the rules changed last season to allow it to be shared. Here,
we look at the contenders’ final fixtures as they battle it out for the
prize.
Joe Hart, Manchester City
Clean sheets: 13
Remaining fixture: Southampton (home)
Although unable to keep Swansea at bay at the Liberty Stadium, Hart remains
in contention having kept consecutive clean sheets against Tottenham and QPR
in their previous two games. However, his hopes of reaching number 14 will
be tested by a Soutampton side who scored six goals against Aston Villa on
Saturday.
Simon Mignolet, Liverpool
Clean sheets: 13
Remaining fixture: Stoke (away)
Mignolet was breached three times during Liverpool’s defeat to Crystal
Palace in Steven Gerrard’s last game at Anfield, and he faces another tough
test on the final day of the season away to Stoke. The Potters have scored
in each of their last 11 home games, while Mignolet has not kept a clean
sheet in any of his last four appearances.
Fraser Forster, Southampton
Clean sheets: 13
Remaining fixture: Injured
Fraser Forster is the most unfortunate of the contenders. The former Celtic
man has not had the chance to add to his tally after suffering a serious
knee injury in March. Forster could still share the award, but he could
easily have been the sole winner had he been available for their final eight
games.
Lukasz Fabianski, Swansea
Clean sheets: 13
Remaining fixture: Crystal Palace (away)
Fabianski was lauded for his clean sheet against former club Arsenal last
week, but he had a torrid afternoon against City and should have done better
with both of Yaya Toure’s goals. The Pole will be hoping for shut-out number
14 when the Swans travel to Selhurst Park on the final day, but the Eagles
are no pushovers at home and will be buoyed by their 3-1 win against
Liverpool.
Thibaut Courtois, Chelsea
Clean sheets: 12
Remaining fixtures: West Brom (away), Sunderland (home)
Courtois may be one behind his rivals, but Chelsea’s game in hand against
West Brom on Monday means he could yet reach 14 clean sheets. If he can keep
the Baggies at bay at the Hawthorns, he will surely fancy his chances of
keeping out Sunderland at home. The biggest danger to his chances, however,
could be a farewell appearance for Cech on the last day of the season.
The rest
Manchester United’s David De Gea was selected in the PFA Team of the Year,
but the Spaniard is not in contention for the Golden Glove having only kept
10 clean sheets this season. Like Southampton’s Forster, West Brom
shot-stopper Ben Foster is another ‘keeper whose chances were ended by
injury. The 32-year-old kept 11 clean sheets before he was ruled out for the
rest of the season in March. Sunderland’s Costel Pantilimon has also fallen
just short having kept 10 clean sheets so far. Tottenham’s Hugo Lloris is
regarded as one of the best custodians in the league, but he has only
managed seven clean sheets, the same number as Arsenal’s David Ospina.
Burnley's Tom Heaton and Aston Villa's Brad Guzan are on nine each, while
West Ham's Adrian has eight.
Past winners
2013/14: Petr Cech (Chelsea) and Wojciech Szczesny (Arsenal)
2012/13: Joe Hart (Man City)
2011/12: Joe Hart (Man City)
2010/11: Joe Hart (Man City)
2009/10: Petr Cech (Chelsea)
2008/09: Edwin van der Sar (Man Utd)
2007/08: Pepe Reina (Liverpool)
2006/07: Pepe Reina (Liverpool)
2005/06: Pepe Reina (Liverpool)
2004/05: Petr Cech (Chelsea)
top