Halloween special: The dirtiest Premier League players ever | OneFootball

Happy Halloween everyone.

It’s that time of year again when, for one night only, you can legitimately get away with looking like death.

It may well be a time for ghosts and ghouls but when it comes to English footballers, these are the ones that truly give us nightmares.

Here’s a rundown of the dirtiest men the Premier League have ever seen.

Paul Scholes

Widely known as one of the worst tacklers in the history of the league, Paul Scholes ended his career with an astonishing 97 yellow cards for Manchester United.

Kevin Davies

A Premier League career that took in Southampton, Blackburn and Bolton ended with 99 yellow cards and two reds.

So close to that magic century.

Lee Bowyer

Another man so close to the 100 yellow card mark.

Bowyer spent nearly 15 years in England’s top division amassing 99 yellow cards and four reds – the most famous of which being when he fought team-mate Kieron Dyer whilst playing for Newcastle.

Wayne Rooney

A player that was just made for Halloween celebrations.

Having started out as a Premier League player at just 16, it’s perhaps no surprise that Rooney picked up 102 yellow cards in his time with Manchester United and Everton.

Gareth Barry

Nice Gareth Barry isn’t so nice at all.

The Premier League record appearance holder is also the Premier League record yellow card merchant – 123 in total.

Vinnie Jones

One man who very much lived up to his hard man image.

Vinnie Jones was sent off seven times in the Premier League and still holds the record for the fastest ever booking, having been yellow carded after three seconds in a match between Chelsea and Sheffield United.

Patrick Vieira

For a man who only spent nine years in the Premier League, Patrick Vieira ended with quite the rap sheet.

76 yellow cards and eight reds. And nine trophies as well, to be fair.

Richard Dunne

Joint-top on this list with eight red cards and also top of the Premier League own goals rankings with 10.

You can make your own mind up about what Richard Dunne was like as a player.

Duncan Ferguson

Eight red cards. 40 yellows.

And still the only Premier League footballer to stop and detain two burglars who broke into his home. They both spent three days in hospital.