Infographic: The alternative Premier League tables 2018

Each year, for the supporters of all but a handful of clubs, the English Premier League is a simmering cauldron of disappointment. But look a little deeper into the stats and rankings over a season and most teams will find hidden consolations lurking in the numbers.

In DG #31 we reran the rankings adjusted by various scenarios (what if each match lasted just 45 minutes? What if there were no goalkeepers? What if only headed goals counted?) to offer an array of alternative end-of-season outcomes. In which tweaked reality did Spurs come top and Arsenal bottom? Check our radically filtered tables to find out.

This infographic was published in DG#31. Pick up a copy in our online shop or take out an annual subscription using the promotion code ‘SLOWNEWSDAY’ for 10 percent off.