We’ve taken stats to show the most effective players in the league, in terms of goals and assists. We’ve also looked at the most effective goalscorers, judging by how many goals they’ve scored per minute on the pitch (for player who have played in more than 500 minutes – over 5 league games). Just for that added bit of interest, we’ve even looked at players who have hardly played but have scored quite a few goals for their limited appearances.

1. Robin van Persie (Arsenal)
Minutes: 869
Goals: 10
Minutes per goal: 86.9
Assists: 5
Minutes per goals and assists: 57.9

2. Theo Walcott (Arsenal)
Minutes: 988
Goals: 7
Minutes per goal: 141.1
Assists: 6
Minutes per goals and assists: 76

3. Dimitar Berbatov (United)
Minutes: 1823
Goals: 19
Minutes per goal: 95.9
Assists: 3
Minutes per goals and assists: 82.9

4. Wayne Rooney (United)
Minutes: 1414
Goals: 6
Minutes per goal: 235.7
Assists: 11
Minutes per goals and assists: 83.2

5. Chicharito (United)
Minutes: 846
Goals: 9
Minutes per goal: 94
Assists: 1
Minutes per goals and assists: 84.6

6. Nani (United)
Minutes: 1950
Goals: 9
Minutes per goal: 216.7
Assists: 14
Minutes per goals and assists: 84.78

7. Carlos Tevez (Manchester City)
Minutes: 1971
Goals: 18
Minutes per goal: 109.5
Assists: 5
Minutes per goals and assists: 85.7

8. Rafael Van der Vaart (Tottenham Hotspur)
Minutes: 1426
Goals: 10
Minutes per goal: 142.6
Assists: 6
Minutes per goals and assists: 89.13

9. Jermaine Beckford (Everton)
Minutes: 688
Goals: 6
Minutes per goal: 114.7
Assists: 1
Minutes per goals and assists: 98.29

10. Andy Carroll (All goals/assists for Newcastle)
Minutes: 1625
Goals: 11
Minutes per goal: 147.7
Assists: 5
Minutes per goals and assists: 101.6

Top 5 goal per minute rates
1. Robin Van Persie (Arsenal) – 1 goal per 86.9 minutes (10/869)
2. Chicharito (United) – 1 goal per 94 minutes (Total minutes 9/846)
3. Dimitar Berbatov (United) – 1 goal per 95.9 minutes (19/1823)
4. Carlos Tevez (Manchester City) – 1 goal per 109.5 minutes (18/1971)
5. Jermaine Beckford (Everton) – 1 goal per 114.7 minutes (6/668)

Top 5 goal per minute rates of those who haven’t played as much
1. Demba Ba (West Ham) – 1 goal per 52 minutes (2/104)
2. Daniel Sturridge (Bolton on loan) – 1 goal per 73 minutes (4/292)
3. Ivan Klasnic (Bolton) – 1 goal per 92 minutes (2/184)
4. Leon Best (Newcastle) – 1 goal per 129.8 minutes (5/649)
5. Marlon Harewood (Blackpool) – 1 goal per 131.6 minutes (5/658)

Conclusions
– 7 of the 10 most effective players in the league represent Northern clubs.
– Despite repeated praise for Samir Nasri and Gareth Bale from the country’s press, neither feature anywhere near the top ten most effective players.
– Chicharito is United’s 3rd choice striker but the 2nd most effective goalscorer in the entire league.
– Theo Walcott, Nani and Rafael Van der Vaart are the only non-strikers to feature on the list.