THE READING ROOM
The reading room.
Explanations of scoring rates, assist definitions and the rules behind career totals.
Analysis & explainers
All articlesAn assist isn’t always an assist.
Why two trusted sources can give you two different answers — and how to compare fairly.
Read articleMore goals. Or more goals per game?
Career totals and scoring rates tell different parts of the same remarkable story.
Read articleWhat counts as a career goal?
Friendlies, shootouts and youth football: the small print behind a very big number.
Read article