Schwarzer Top of The Stops

By Danny Wright

Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer is currently the best goalkeeper in the Premier League, according to stats released by Opta.

The statistics reveal that the Australian has saved 81% of shots he has faced so far this season.

That put his total number of saves for the season at 113. Schwarzer has played 31 times for Fulham since his summer switch from Middlesbrough, keeping ten clean sheets in all competitions.

He marked his 475^th league appearance of his career with a 3-1 win over Manchester City at Eastlands on Sunday.

Opposite number Shay Given also features in the Opta rankings, as the third best stopper in the top flight.

The Irishman has stopped 71% of shots on his goal during a season spilt at Newcastle and Mark Hughes side.

Given made a January transfer window move to the money-rich Manchester club, leaving the Magpies after 12 years on Tyneside.

He ranks alongside Bolton’s Jussi Jaaskelainen, who has made 111 saves – five more than Given.

West Brom’s Scott Carson has made the most stops (129), and appears fifth on the list with a 69% saves/shots ratio.

Robert Green occupies fourth place, making 107 saves at a 75% rate for West Ham.