Is Fulham's Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer the most underrated goalkeeper in the English Premier League?

Yesterday we listed Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer as the EPL leader in save percentage (saves 84% of shots on goal). Think about that for a moment. Examing all shots on goal this season faced by all EPL goalies, the GK who saves more of those shots than any other is not global superstar Petr Cech or Edwin van der Sar, but the far lesser known 2008/09 free-agent pickup Mark Schwarzer. This statistic does not lie. Schwarzer beats out the names you would expect to be at the top of the list: Cech, van der Sar, etc. While the names you would expect to be planted at the bottom of the list are right where we expect - Robinson, Myhill. But the name that surprises all viewers is Schwarzer, the 2008/09 EPL leading shot-stopper.

But let us not stop there in our short analysis of Schwarzer. Another important statistic to draw attention to is Fulham's Goals-Against-Average (GAA).

Without Schwarzer last season, Fulham conceded 60 goals in 38 EPL games (1.58 goals per game; 15/20 in EPL). This season, with Schwarzer, Fulham have conceded just 26 goals in 30 games (0.87 goals per game; 5/20 in EPL). This is a pretty remarkable transformation. Fulham are on pace to concede 33 goals, 27 less than last season. Oh, and they are not battling relegation. Do you think there is a relationship between having this season's best shot-stopper as the last line of defense, conceding almost 50% fewer goals than last term and not battling relegation? Thank manager Roy Hodgson for bringing in the Aussie on a free transfer.

Oh, and how is Schwarzer's club from last season, Middlesbrough, performing without the Australian in net? Look for yourself. And then come back and admit: the stats don't lie.