Premier League’s most violent: Top 5 players with the most red cards in history

The physical nature of the Premier League is well documented over the years, and oftentimes, things go a little too far. In this article, we will be taking a look at the players with the most red cards in the history of the English top flight. 

Top 5 players with the most red cards in Premier League history

5. Alan Smith – 7 reds, 0.24 cards per game 

Smith started out at Leeds United after saying he would never play for Manchester United. He went on to become one of the most violent players of his time – and a combatant defensive midfielder. 

4. Lee Cattermole – 7 reds, 0.35 cards per game 

Former Sunderland player Lee Cattermole has the highest red card per game ratio in this list. He had an affinity for Newcastle United and was shown a straight red for abusive language by Mike Dean. 

3. Duncan Ferguson – 8 reds, 0.16 cards per game 

Six of Ferguson’s right red cards were straight Reds. But, his most violent moment came for Rangers on the pitch, headbutting an opponent and being sent to prison for three months afterwards, despite not being sent off during the game. 

2. Richard Dunne – 8 reds, 0.19 cards per game 

Richard Dunne holds an incredible record of having the same number of goals and own goals in the Premier League with ten each. As you can assume, he holds the record for the most own goals in the English top flight. 

1. Patrick Vieira – 8 reds, 0.28 cards per game 

The Arsenal legend shares the record for the most number of red cards in the Premier League with Richard Dunne. Five of his eight red cards were two consecutive yellows, but that doesn’t undermine his defensive contributions in midfield at all.