Onana and Pickford surprise leaders of Golden Glove race

The race for the Premier League Golden Glove award could hardly be tighter. 

Given to the goalkeeper who keeps the most clean sheets in a season, it is Manchester United's Andre Onana and Everton's Jordan Pickford who are jointly leading the way with six shut-outs. 

Yet there are another six goalies who are only one behind that total and plenty of other stoppers within touching distance. 

Ahead of the busy festive period, we take a look at the main contenders to scoop the Premier League prize. 

What's his name?

It may come as a surprise to see United's Onana leading the race to take home the Golden Glove. 

The Cameroonian has had a difficult introduction to life in England, making a number of high-profile mishaps. 

Yet it is worth remembering that his predecessor David de Gea won the award last season with 17 clean sheets. 

Eleven of those came at Old Trafford, so Erik ten Hag's team rediscovering their home form will be key to their keeper's chances.

The other goalkeeper with six clean sheets is Everton's England international Pickford. 

This is a record built on the Toffees' recent form, with Sean Dyche's side winning each of their last four Premier League games without conceding. 

Other contenders

Just behind Onana and Pickford are six keepers who have kept five clean sheets this season. 

They are Liverpool's Alisson, Crystal Palace's Sam Johnstone, Fulham's Bernd Leno, Newcastle's Nick Pope, Arsenal's David Raya and Tottenham's Guglielmo Vicario. 

Of those, we can likely narrow down the contenders to teams fighting for the title or Champions League qualification. 

Alisson has the pedigree, having won the Golden Glove in 2018-19 and shared it with Ederson in 2021-22. 

The Manchester City goalkeeper has not conceded in four games in 2023-24 so far — a total that is likely to improve rapidly in the second half of the campaign. 

Pope finished joint-second with 14 clean sheets last season but is ruled out with injury.

Four of Vicario's five came before defender Micky van de Ven's absence, so the Italian could be a contender once the centre-back returns for Spurs. 

Like Onana, Arsenal keeper Raya has made some high-profile mistakes yet his five clean sheets have come from just 12 games. 

The Gunners have actually kept a total of seven shut-outs, with Aaron Ramsdale in goal for two of them. Last season, the England international played 14 games in which he did not concede.

Vital statistics

Since the award was introduced in the 2004-05 season, the Golden Glove has only been won by goalkeepers from five clubs — Manchester City (seven winners), Liverpool (five), Chelsea (four), Manchester United (three) and Arsenal (two).

Of the 19 seasons in which the trophy has been awarded, title-winning goalkeepers have only won it on seven occasions. 

The fewest number of clean sheets needed to win was Joe Hart's 14 in 2014-15. Petr Cech recorded the highest number in 2004-05 with 24.

On average, it takes 18.15 to take home the Golden Glove. 

But with the leading contenders having just six after 17 games it could be a low total this season, opening up the race to multiple goalkeepers.