10 most yellow carded players in EPL history

Picking up a yellow card is a regular day-to-day aspect of a Premier League player, but for the following ten individuals, picking up yellow card was a way of life…

Gareth Barry (110 yellow cards)

The current Everton midfielder is an experienced combatant in the top flight and the crazy amount of yellow cards only goes to show how long the England international has been playing at the top level.

Kevin Davies (99 yellow cards)

Also ending his Premier League career just one yellow card short of a ton is Kevin Davies, who retired from football at the end of last season. The burly striker, who picked up an England cap towards the end of his 22 year career, was a nuisance for defenders and often picked up a caution when challenging in the air.

Lee Bowyer (99 yellow cards)

Best remembered for dubious on and off the field controversies, rather than some promising displays as a youngster whilst at Leeds United, Bowyer spent over a decade in the Premier League and was a well known figure to referees in that time.

Paul Scholes (97 yellow cards)

For all his brilliance, Paul Scholes was also a nasty tackler. The diminutive midfielder earned his reputation as a tough tackler many years ago and the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Xavi and Patrick Vieira have, over the subsequent years, agreed to that notion.

Scott Parker (92 yellow cards)

Naturally, uncompromising central midfielders dominate this list and one of the best the top flight has ever seen is also one who got booked more often than not. Parker excelled in the top flight, especially for West Ham and Spurs, but by that time the officials were already used to his dangerous antics.

Robbie Savage (89 yellow cards)

Once labelled as the dirtiest player in English football, the former Welsh international was as good at causing other players to be cautioned as he was himself. Savage came through the ranks at Manchester United, along with a suspiciously high number of players also in this list, before featuring prominently in the top flight for Leicester City, Blackburn Rovers and Birmingham City.

Wayne Rooney (88 yellow cards)

The only player realistically able to rise significantly higher in this list is none other than the captain of the national side. Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney already has 88 caps to his name and you wouldn’t bet against him reaching a century before he hangs up his boots.

George Boateng (85 yellow cards)

The former Dutch midfielder spent 12 years in the top flight, having played for Coventry City, Aston Villa, Middlesbrough and Hull City. Boateng was an aggressive player who once had his captaincy rescinded at Boro due to his consistent suspensions.

Kevin Nolan (85 yellow cards)

Seeing Kevin Nolan pick up a yellow card is an all too familiar sight when thinking back at the last decade and a half in the Premier League. The combative midfielder picked up his 85 cautions whilst a Bolton Wanderers, Newcastle United and West Ham player.

Lee Cattermole (85 yellow cards)

This list will need to be updated before the end of the season as, even with just 7 games to go, there is no way that Lee Cattermole will remain free of a yellow card. The Sunderland enforcer may be forgiven to have his reputation come before him but he does commit some atrocious fouls.