Crystal Palace are the only team in Europe's top 20 leagues not to have scored after the worst start to a season in history... here are the stats that shame the top flight basement boys

  • Crystal Palace are rock bottom of the Premier League after losing first seven
  • Eagles are also only team in Europe's top 20 leagues not to have found the net
  • First team in 129 years of Football League to lose first seven without scoring
  • Sportsmail takes a look at some of the stats that shame Roy Hodgson's side

Crystal Palace's Goal of the Month competition for September was conspicuous by its absence. As was August's, for that matter.

Of course, that is because there haven't been any goals. Seven Premier League games, seven defeats, and not once have Palace fans seen the opposition's net ripple.

Every week, the Eagles seem to break new ground, first under Frank de Boer and now Roy Hodgson. Here, Sportsmail takes a look at the stats that shame the Premier League's basement boys...

Roy Hodgson trundles from the pitch following Crystal Palace's latest defeat at Old Trafford

Roy Hodgson trundles from the pitch following Crystal Palace's latest defeat at Old Trafford

 
  • Crystal Palace are now the only side in Europe's top 20 divisions to not have found the back of the net this season

This is a list consisting of a remarkable 316 teams, made up from countries including the likes of Spain, Italy, Germany, Ukraine, Turkey, Israel... the list goes on. Every single team has scored, apart from Crystal Palace. 


  • Only Halifax Town in 1990-91 have gone on a longer run from the start of a season in league history (top four tiers) without a goal

Palace's lack of a goal against Manchester United at the weekend took them to 630 Premier League minutes without scoring, overtaking Burnley's 1997-98 tally of 552 minutes. Now, only Halifax's 730 is above the Eagles.   

  • Crystal Palace have lost eight consecutive league games without scoring, the joint-longest run in English league history

Hartlepool (in 1970 and 1993) and Sunderland (1977) are the other two sides to have accomplished this. The first of Palace's defeats on this run came last season at Old Trafford on the final day. No team has ever gone nine defeats without a goal and Palace, by the way, have Chelsea next up.

  • First team in 129 years of the Football League to lose their first seven matches without scoring a single goal

This stat pretty much does its own talking. Teams have lost their opening seven before (Portsmouth - see next stat), but at least they scored on the way. Palace have had 16 shots on target, but failed to beat any of the seven goalkeepers they've faced.

Luka Milivojevic has been part of the Crystal Palace team to have lost their opening seven ties

Luka Milivojevic has been part of the Crystal Palace team to have lost their opening seven ties

  • Second Premier League side in history (after Portsmouth in 2009-10) to lose their opening seven matches

It's worth noting that Portsmouth went on to win their eighth game, a 1-0 away victory over Wolves thanks to a strike from Hassan Yebda. And who was in goal for the losers that day? None other than Crystal Palace's Wayne Hennessey. It's funny how that sort of thing works out.  

  • Palace's last 12 Premier League matches: 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 4 - 0 - 0 - 0

That's 12 Premier League matches between April 26 and today, with only a coupon-busting 4-0 victory over Hull the anomaly. 11 of the 12 have seen Palace fail to score, and there have been three managers in the dugout over that period.  

Back in happier times, Sam Allardyce celebrates a 4-0 victory over relegated Hull at Selhurst

Back in happier times, Sam Allardyce celebrates a 4-0 victory over relegated Hull at Selhurst

  • Palace have had the most errors leading to a goal (three) of any top flight team this season

Nine sides in the Premier League can rest easy in the knowledge that no defensive errors have led to the opposition scoring this season. A few teams, meanwhile, may look back at one mistake with disdain. Palace, though, have made three - more than any other side. Chung-yong Lee, we're looking at you.

  • Palace are the only Premier League team not to keep a clean sheet this season

A stat that reflects badly on Wayne Hennessey in the Crystal Palace goal. The Wales No 1 has conceded 17, while watching his side score zero at the other end. United have six clean sheets, City five. Even Bournemouth, after a dreadful start, have one.

Palace's Wayne Hennessey has conceded 17 goals in his first seven games of this season

Palace's Wayne Hennessey has conceded 17 goals in his first seven games of this season

  • Mamadou Sakho has conceded more goals in his two Premier League games this term than he did in eight for Palace last season

A centre back that Palace fought so hard to sign in the summer, and his arrival has almost certainly brought more happiness to the fans than any other moment this season. That said, after being such a rock on loan, it's been a poor start for the ex-Liverpool man. He's conceded nine in his two games this season, compared to seven in his eight games at the club last term.  

  • Not only are Palace the only team not to score, they have also conceded five more than any other side in the division (17)

It's not just about failing to score... Palace are leaking goals at the other end, too. The Eagles have conceded 17, while the nearest sides to them are West Ham (13) and Everton (12). Fair to say the south Londoners are out on their own in this category.   

Mamadou Sakho enjoyed a more positive time on loan last term than he has done permanently

Mamadou Sakho enjoyed a more positive time on loan last term than he has done permanently

  • Palace have had the second least shots on target (16) of the 20 Premier League sides so far this season

Good news, Palace fans... we've found a stat in which there is a worse team than yours. Swansea have only managed 11 shots on target to Palace's 16, making the Eagles only the second worst in the division. That said, Swansea have netted three goals from their 11, and two of them were against Palace. Oops.    

  • Palace are one of five teams in top-flight history to lose all seven of their opening matches

Liverpool (1899-1900), Bolton (1902-1903), Manchester United (1930-1931), Portsmouth (2009-2010) and Crystal Palace (2017-18) are the other five teams to have lost their seven opening league matches. Something that doesn't bode well for Hodgson's men is that only Liverpool, back in 1900, survived relegation come the end of the campaign. 

It's worth noting that two of those sides went on to lose more - Liverpool and United. The 1900 Liverpool side lost an eighth before turning it around to avoid relegation, while the 1931 United team lost a remarkable 12 in a row, eventually finishing 22nd and going down. At least Palace can take solace from the fact that 20th is as bad as it can get for them.

Palace fans will be grateful to have Yohan Cabaye back fit, but he hasn't helped much so far

Palace fans will be grateful to have Yohan Cabaye back fit, but he hasn't helped much so far