So across the PL, the average number of attempted tackles per foul in the first half is 3.47 and the average number of fouls per card is 7.59. Over a whole game, it's 3.51 tackles per foul and 5.29 fouls per card.
In the first half of games, City's opponents have an average number of attempted tackles per foul of 4.63 and an average fouls per card of 8.67. Liverpool's opponents have an average number of attempted tackles per foul of 3.30 and an average fouls per card of 3.71.
By full-time, City's opponents have an average number of attempted tackles per foul of 4.22, with an average fouls per card of 5.67. Liverpool's opponents have an average number of attempted tackles per foul of 3.63 and an average fouls per card of 4.28.
In the first half, City have an average tackles/foul of 3.48, Liverpool have 3.56 and Chelsea 3.01. City have a fouls per card average of 5.09, Liverpool 10.5 and Chelsea 13.33.
By full-time, City have an average tackles/foul of 3.34, Liverpool have 3.16 and Chelsea 3.36. City have a fouls per card average of 5.82, Liverpool 8.53 and Chelsea 7.84.
United averaged 18 tackles per foul against us in the first half. Against Liverpool, they averaged 2. By full-time they averaged 4.22 tackles per foul against us, with 9 fouls per card. Against Liverpool, it was 1.70 tackles per foul, with 1.43 fouls per card.
By contrast, Liverpool averaged 8 tackles per foul against United in the first half, and 5.67 against us. By full-time, it was 4.10 tackles per foul against us, and 3.88 tackles per foul against United.
What does this really show? Well, our opponents get treated a lot more leniently on average than they do against Liverpool. Other teams in the league are over twice as likely to be carded for a foul against a Liverpool player than us in the first half. The gap narrows in the 2nd half, showing that referees are more lenient to our opponent in the first half of games against us, presumably to keep them in the game, but stricter when these teams play Liverpool, thus preventing them from landing a blow. There are of course fluctuations and highly dubious and anomalous games which require a deeper look, but the averages show a general pattern.
We are also twice as likely, in the first half at least, to be carded for a foul than either Liverpool or Chelsea players, again showing how we can be kept in check. It also shows that our rivals can tactically foul with near impunity, whilst ours are picked up much more readily.
We see in the United games that they were given free reign against us, particularly in the first half, whilst they were punished at every opportunity in the Liverpool game.
Still not had a penalty yet either...
