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In several sports '''goal difference''' or '''points difference''' is a form of [[tiebreaker]] used to rank teams which finish |
In several sports '''goal difference''' or '''points difference''' is a form of [[tiebreaker]] used to rank teams which finish on equal positions in a [[sports league|league competition]]. The term goal or points difference is used as appropriate depending on whether matches are won according to the number of [[goal (sport)|goals]] (as in [[ice hockey]] or [[associated football]]) or according to the allocation of points (as in [[rugby union]] or [[basketball]]). |
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Goal or points difference is calculated by subtracting the number of goals or points conceded in all league matches from the number of goals or points scored. Goal difference was first introduced in association football, at the [[1970 FIFA World Cup]] <ref name=Mathletics>{{cite book|last=Barrow|first=John D.|title=Mathletics|publisher=Vintage|location=London|isbn=9780099584230|page=191}}</ref> and was adopted in [[The Football League]] in [[England]] five years later. <ref name=Mathletics /> It has since spread to many other competitions, where it is typically used as either the first or second tiebreaker (after teams' head-to-head records). |
Goal or points difference is calculated by subtracting the number of goals or points conceded in all league matches from the number of goals or points scored. Goal difference was first introduced in association football, at the [[1970 FIFA World Cup]] <ref name=Mathletics>{{cite book|last=Barrow|first=John D.|title=Mathletics|publisher=Vintage|location=London|isbn=9780099584230|page=191}}</ref> and was adopted in [[The Football League]] in [[England]] five years later. <ref name=Mathletics /> It has since spread to many other competitions, where it is typically used as either the first or second tiebreaker (after teams' head-to-head records). |
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Revision as of 19:49, 7 May 2014
In several sports goal difference or points difference is a form of tiebreaker used to rank teams which finish on equal positions in a league competition. The term goal or points difference is used as appropriate depending on whether matches are won according to the number of goals (as in ice hockey or associated football) or according to the allocation of points (as in rugby union or basketball).
Goal or points difference is calculated by subtracting the number of goals or points conceded in all league matches from the number of goals or points scored. Goal difference was first introduced in association football, at the 1970 FIFA World Cup [1] and was adopted in The Football League in England five years later. [1] It has since spread to many other competitions, where it is typically used as either the first or second tiebreaker (after teams' head-to-head records).
Goal difference has often replaced the older Goal average, or goal ratio. Using the goal average scheme the number of goals scored is divided by the number of goals conceded. Goal difference was introduced as it is thought to encourage more attacking forms of play, encouraging teams who are winning to score more goals or points as opposed to defending against conceding. [1] Goal average is also used as the tiebreaker in Australian rules football where it is referred to as "percentage". It is calculated as points scored divided by points conceded multiplied by 100.[2]
If a team's points and goal difference are equal, then often goals scored is used as a further tiebreaker, with the team scoring the most goals winning.[3] After this a variety of other tiebreakers may be used.
Goal difference v. goal average
The different schemes can lead to strikingly different results. With the following matches:
| Team A | 3–0 | Team B |
|---|---|---|
| Team B | 6–0 | Team C |
|---|---|---|
| Team A | 0–1 | Team C |
|---|---|---|
Under goal average, Team A would win:
| Team | Pts | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team A | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| Team B | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 2 |
| Team C | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 0.1667 |
Under goal difference, Team B would win:
| Team | Pts | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team B | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 3 | +3 |
| Team A | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | +2 |
| Team C | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | −5 |
Goal average was replaced by goal difference due to the former's encouragement of lower-scoring games. For example, a team that scores 70 while allowing 40 would have a lesser goal average (1.750) versus another team that scores 69 while allowing 39 (1.769).
Titles decided on goal difference
England top-flight
2012, Manchester City and Manchester United
The 2011–12 Premier League was generally a two-horse race contested between Manchester City and Manchester United for most of the season, with both clubs finishing 19 points ahead of third-placed Arsenal. City and United went into their final matches of the season level on points, but with City in first-place due to a goal difference superior by +9. The final matches were relegation threatened Queens Park Rangers at home for City, and Sunderland away for United. City were strong favourites, with United's manager Alex Ferguson stating City would have to do 'something stupid' not to beat QPR.[4]
A Manchester City win would guarantee the title due to a realistically unassailable superior goal difference. If not a win, then City just needed to match United's result at the Stadium of Light against Sunderland. United scored the only goal of their game in the 20th minute, winning 1-0. City scored two goals in injury time to come from behind and win 3–2.[5]
1989, Arsenal and Liverpool
Arsenal won the league championship on goals-scored, after finishing level on points and goal-difference with Liverpool in the 1988-89 season. Arsenal defeated Liverpool 2–0 in the final game of the season to win the championship.
England lower division titles decided on goal difference
1983–84, Second Division – Chelsea–Sheffield Wednesday
Chelsea 88 points and goal difference 50, Sheffield Wednesday 88 points and goal difference 38.
1989–90, Second Division – Leeds United–Sheffield United
Leeds United 85 points and goal difference 27, Sheffield United 85 points and goal difference 20.
1981–82, Third Division – Burnley–Carlisle United
Burnley 80 points and goal difference 21, Carlisle United 80 points and goal difference 15.
(N.B. in 1996–97 Wigan Athletic and Fulham finished level on 87 points at the top of the Third Division, but Wigan Athletic were awarded the championship on most goals scored, which was the first tie breaker in use in the Football League between 1992 and 1999, although Fulham had the greater goal difference. It reverted to the Goal Difference method from the start of the 1999–2000 season.)
Scotland
1986, Premier Division – Hearts-Celtic
In 1986, Hearts lost 2–0 at Dundee on the final day of the season, which allowed Celtic to win the Championship on goal difference. Had the first tie-breaker been goal average, Hearts would have won the Championship. Hearts have not been Scottish League Champions since 1960. Ironically, Hearts missed out on the title on the final day of the 1964-65 season on goal average – if goal difference had been used, Hearts would have been champions. At home to title rivals KIlmarnock, they could afford to lose 1-0. They lost 2-0. If goal difference had been in operation, they could have lost 8-0 and still been champions.
2003, Premier League – Old Firm
Rangers won the Scottish Premier League in 2003 on goal difference. In the final round of matches, Rangers played Dunfermline, while second-placed Celtic were playing at Kilmarnock. With Celtic and Rangers level on 94 points going into these matches, the Championship would be decided by which team, Celtic or Rangers, performed best during the final round of matches. If both teams won they would each finish on 97 points, and the League would be decided on goal difference. Rangers won 6–1 and Celtic won 4–0, which left Rangers with a goal difference of 73 (101 for and 28 against), and Celtic a goal difference of 72 (98 scored and 26 against) giving Rangers the title.
References
- ^ a b c Barrow, John D. Mathletics. London: Vintage. p. 191. ISBN 9780099584230.
- ^ [Goal average is also used as the tiebreaker in Australian rules football where it is referred to as "percentage". It is calculated as points scored divided by points conceded multiplied by 100. "Calculating Percentages for the AFL Ladder"]. The Power From Port. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
{{cite web}}: Check|url=value (help) - ^ "Who wins the League if teams have the same number of points?". FA Premier League. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
- ^ "Sir Alex Ferguson eyes 'stupid' Manchester City result". BBC Sport. 11 May 2012. Retrieved 2012-05-15.
- ^ "How Joey Barton handed Manchester City the Premier League title". The Guardian. 13 May 2012. Retrieved 2012-05-15.