The Premier League era has been enriched with talented players, wonderful goals and jaw-dropping skill.
However, the other side to the beautiful game can be just as important to winning matches and more importantly, titles.
A study from Spreadex looked at the number of red and yellow cards picked up by all 49 Premier League teams since the competition started.
The study is based on team bookings points of 10 points per yellow card and 25 points per red card for every game played by every side in the Premier League.
It's been revealed that Chelsea are the dirtiest team in the Premier League's history, having collected 18,360 cards in 1046 matches since it was formed.
While the Blues don't top the charts this season, their previous misdemeanours have them over 100 clear of second-place Everton and nearly 500 away from Arsenal in third place.
Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United are next in the list in fourth and fifth, respectively.
It's worth noting that this table focuses purely on the total number, rather than an average from the number of games played.
However, in that category, only two current Premier League side feature in the top ten, Watford and Wolves.
Instead, the likes of Derby County, Sunderland and Hull City lead the way after picking up plenty of cards in their numerous battles to avoid relegation.
Here's the full top ten for the dirtiest Premier League teams in history in total and on average.
Total number of cards in the Premier League era:
- Chelsea - 18,360
- Everton - 18,245
- Arsenal - 17,885
- Tottenham Hotspur - 16,815
- Manchester United - 16,570
- West Ham United - 16,495
- Newcastle United - 15,495
- Aston Villa - 15,175
- Liverpool - 14,530
- Manchester City - 14,430
Highest average number of cards in the Premier League era:
- Derby County - 21.82
- Sunderland - 20.56
- Hull City - 20.42
- Watford - 20.34
- Barnsley - 20.00
- Stoke City - 19.90
- Bolton Wanderers - 19.3
- Wigan Athletic - 19.10
- Wolves - 18.91
- Middlesbrough - 18.91
