The 2013-14 English Premier League saw champions Manchester City finish on top in the goals-for statistics but the best defensive outfit in the top flight were Chelsea, conceding 27 goals for an average of 0.71 per match.
City, who topped the charts for best defence the previous three years, were second on the list behind Chelsea last season, having conceded 10 goals more than the Londoners did.
Last season, Chelsea kept 18 clean sheets in all.
There were only two occasions when the Blues suffered three goals in a single match.
These came against Sunderland (away) 4-3 and Stoke City (away) 2-3.
Eight clubs have featured in the top 10 of the classifications for meanest defences and most prolific attack.
In 2013-14, Crystal Palace conceded 48 goals for the best defensive record of the promoted trio. The team that shipped in most goals in one match were Norwich with seven.
Four clubs have let in six goals in one match − Arsenal (twice) and one each for Tottenham, Cardiff and Fulham.
Top rearguards
| 2004 | Arsenal | 0.68 |
| 2005 | Chelsea | 0.39 |
| 2006 | Chelsea | 0.58 |
| 2007 | Chelsea | 0.63 |
| 2008 | Man. United | 0.58 |
| 2009 | Chelsea | 0.63 |
| 2010 | Man. United | 0.74 |
| 2011 | Man. City | 0.87 |
| 2012 | Man. City | 0.76 |
| 2013 | Man. City | 0.89 |
| 2014 | Chelsea | 0.71 |
| 2013-14 | Goals | Average |
| 1. Chelsea | 27 | 0.71 |
| 2. Manchester City | 37 | 0.97 |
| 3. Everton | 39 | 1.03 |
| 4. Arsenal | 41 | 1.08 |
| 5. Man. United | 43 | 1.13 |
| 6. Southampton | 46 | 1.21 |
| 7. Crystal Palace | 48 | 1.26 |
| 8. Liverpool | 50 | 1.32 |
| 9. Tottenham | 51 | 1.34 |
| 9. West Ham | 51 | 1.34 |
| 11. Stoke City | 52 | 1.37 |
| 12. Hull City | 53 | 1.39 |
| 13. Swansea | 54 | 1.42 |
| 14. Newcastle | 59 | 1.55 |
| 14. West Brom | 59 | 1.55 |
| 16. Sunderland | 60 | 1.58 |
| 17. Aston Villa | 61 | 1.61 |
| 18. Norwich City | 62 | 1.63 |
| 19. Cardiff City | 74 | 1.95 |
| 20. Fulham | 85 | 2.24 |