Why isn’t Edson Álvarez playing for West Ham against Tottenham Hotspur?

West Ham United take on Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday, looking to erase the memories of Saturday’s late loss against Newcastle United from their minds. Hammers boss David Moyes admitted post-game that his side “didn’t defend well enough” at St. James’ Park as they conceded three goals in the final 15 minutes.

They struggled in the absence of Edson Álvarez, who has impressed in midfield for the Hammers this year. The combative Mexican adds real steel to Moyes’ side but his propensity to pick up yellow cards has landed him with another suspension.

Álvarez misses both the Newcastle and Tottenham games due to a two-game ban for the accumulation of bookings. Players are given a one-game ban after reaching five bookings and a further two-game suspension if they rack up ten yellows in the first 32 fixtures.

Which players have the most Premier League yellow cards this season?

Unsurprisingly, Álvarez’s ten-card haul puts him high up in the ill-discipline rankings, but he is not top. That dubious honour falls to Fulham’s João Palhinha, who has already been booked 12 times.

The Portuguese international is famed for his tough-tackling style of play and he fills a crucial role in the middle of the Cottagers’ midfield. With 113 tackles this season he is the most prolific tackler in the league, despite already missing three games due to suspension.

Palhina still has eight Premier Leagues remaining with Fulham this season and he stands a good chance of breaking a long-standing Premier League record. No one has ever received more than 14 bookings in a single season, although nine players have reached that figure: João Palhinha, Etienne Capoue, Jose Holebas, Lee Cattermole, Cheick Tiote, Paul Ince, Robbie Savage, Mark Hughes and Olivier Dacourt.

If Palhina picks up three more yellows in the final eight games of 2023/24 he will become the first player in the league’s history to reach 15. His prize for entering the history books? The Premier League’s first ever three-match ban for the accumulation of yellow cards. A fitting tribute to his no-nonsense style.