Jarred Gillett Referee Stats: Does Community Shield referee favour Man City?

The Community Shield takes place at Wembley on Saturday afternoon and there has already been a change to the man in the middle. Jarred Gillett, who was initially on fourth official duty, was called up to take charge of Manchester City's meeting with Manchester United after John Brooks pulled up with an injury. 

While the referee in question may not influence the outcome of the game, the stats suggest that Gillett in charge may actually benefit Manchester City. Gillett oversaw eight Premier League matches involving City or Manchester United last season, officiating four each. 

Of the four City matches that Gillett took charge of, the defending Premier League champions won all four. Indeed, they were the only side to boast a 100% Premier League win rate from the matches Gillett refereed. By comparison United won only one of the four games with the Australian in charge, and that was the late 4-3 win at Wolves back in February. Of the last five games involving City or United officiated by Gillett, United lost two, falling to defeat to Chelsea and Crystal Palace, while City won three, defeating Brighton, Bournemouth and Brentford.

Furthermore Gillett seems happy to pull United players up for fouls more frequently that he does City players. In England's top tier last term, United committed an average of 10.25 fouls per game, while nine yellow cards was the fifth most. City players meanwhile were pulled up for an average of 3.75 fouls per game and received just two yellow cards from their four matches. 

The man in the middle never has much of an impact on the final result, yet the stats weigh in City's favour as they seek to end their Community Shield hoodoo.