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8 most prolific divers in England's top divisions revealed

8 most prolific divers in England's top divisions revealed

Leader Live12-06-2025
The West Country team recorded eight yellow cards for simulation, the most of any team over the course of the past three seasons.
Premier League giant Chelsea followed with seven bookings for taking a tumble – the same number as Burton Albion.
Manchester City, Newcastle United, Crawley Town, Accrington Stanley and Barrow have been reprimanded six times each after being caught trying to con the ref.
(Image: SWNS)
Football statistician Statman Dave ran the numbers as part of Snickers' wider Off Your Game campaign, with the Deep Diving Audit offering a data-led look at diving across English football.
Dave O'Brien, who pored over match footage, referee reports and extensive game insights to reveal all the most dramatic diving data, said: 'Diving has always been a part of the game, but when you look at the numbers, like I've done for Snickers' Deep Diving Audit, it's clear that some clubs and players really know how to keep things interesting.
'Whether it's tactical, instinctive, or maybe even hunger-related, one thing is for sure, when players are off their game, it shows.
'And sometimes, it's not just the ball that goes rolling.'
Nearly all cases of diving occurred in the second half, with a particular uptick during the 90th minute – and 70 per cent of dives took place in the penalty area.
With Brighton & Hove Albion being named as the club players have dived against most in the Premier League.
Strikers are responsible for 26 per cent of all dives over the last three seasons, whereas in defence, only one centre-back was carded for a diving offence.
Looking at the 2024/25 campaign specifically, 75 per cent of dives occurred when the players' team wasn't winning, with the average dive last season lasting nine seconds.
Additionally, the average diving age is 22, they most typically wear white boots – and are also English, with these players making up 42 per cent of dives in the season just gone.
Diving in the men's game is significantly more prominent compared to the women's – with just one diving booking found on record from the last three seasons in the Women's Super League.
Snickers has enlisted football experts Statman Dave and Nada Allali to create a video which uncovers the most over-the-top tumbles across the England's top leagues.
Delia Lendais-Metral from the chocolate brand said: 'Let's face it, when you're hungry, you're not quite yourself.
'The Snickers Deep Diving Audit taps into those moments when things go slightly off, on or off the pitch.'
'Whether it's a mis-timed slide or a full-blown flop, this is a fun reminder that staying fuelled helps keep you on your game.'
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India seize control at Lord's as England stumble to 175 for six at tea
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With scores tied after the first innings, the tourists turned up the heat as a combination of excellent bowling and a wearing pitch cranked up the pressure. Despite difficult batting conditions, England were guilty of some unforced errors with Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley and Harry Brook contributing reckless dismissals. Captain Ben Stokes held English hopes alive at tea, digging in for 27 not out off 83 balls in an attempt to keep his side afloat. England's Ben Duckett (right) walks off after being dismissed (Bradley Collyer/PA) Tensions were still simmering following the ill-tempered time-wasting row that erupted late on Saturday evening, and it was India who channelled their emotions most effectively as they left England 98 for four in the first session. Jasprit Bumrah set the tone with an outstanding opening burst from the Nursery End but was inexplicably wicketless despite posing a constant threat. His sixth ball of the morning exploded violently, knocking the bat out of Crawley's hand as he jerked back in self-preservation. Having put a target on his own back with his exaggerated delaying tactics late on day three, Crawley was in India's sights. But Duckett was the first to go, guilty of an ghastly hack across the line that sailed gently to mid-on. Mohammed Siraj marked his moment of success with an eye-popping celebration that ended a yard in front of the batter and the pair nudged shoulders as they passed. The match referee is likely to take a dim view of such physical contact. Mohammed Siraj celebrates after snaring Ollie Pope lbw (Bradley Collyer/PA) Ollie Pope lasted 17 painful balls at number three, his only scoring shot coming from a thick edge over the slips. Siraj ended his unhappy stay with a nip-backer and a plumb lbw that somehow needed DRS for confirmation. Crawley's travails lasted even longer as he hit fresh air more regularly than leather, routinely missing the ball or surviving edges off either side of the bat. Having somehow seen off India's strike bowlers, he failed to cash in. With two gullies waiting for an errant drive, he walked headlong into the trap as he wafted at the gentle medium pace of Nitish Kumar Reddy. England continued to shoot themselves in the foot as Brook came out firing. He hit four fours and a six in 19 balls of frantic counter-attacking only to find out that such exuberance came with a cost. Washington Sundar (right) celebrates with team-mates after taking the wicket of Joe Root (Bradley Collyer/PA) Attempting to manufacture another boundary off Akash Deep, he stooped into a pre-meditated sweep and was bowled round his legs. That left Stokes and Joe Root in charge of a difficult repair job, and they managed it to the tune of 67 runs in 128 deliveries. Nothing came easily as the duo faced a constant examination of their technique and temperament. Root nicked Deep's first ball of the afternoon but a no-ball and a dropped catch made him safe on two fronts. He also survived an agonisingly tight lbw, stepping across one from Siraj and spared by ball-tracking by a sliver. He was finally dismissed on 40, over-committing to a sweep off Washington Sundar and leaving middle and leg exposed. With England's best player of spin in his back pocket, the all-rounder added their most in-form player – Jamie Smith cleaned up for eight with one that skidded through.

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