New stats reveal which Premier League sides are refereed most strictly and most leniently - and the results may surprise you.

talkSPORT BET have compiled a league table after the first eight games of the top tier season, ranking every side on the average number of fouls it takes for them to have a player booked.

The common perception is that so-called 'big sides' get away with more - but, according to the stats, four-time defending champs Manchester City are the most harshly-reffed side in the league.

Manchester City have committed the joint-fewest fouls in the league - but get a yellow card every 2.83 foulsManchester City have committed the joint-fewest fouls in the league - but get a yellow card every 2.83 fouls (Image: PA Sport) They've picked up 18 yellow cards from 51 fouls so far this term, leaving them with an average of just 2.83 fouls for every booking.

And fellow 'big sides' Chelsea and Manchester United aren't far behind, coming second and third respectively with 2.92 fouls per booking and 3.42.

Newly-promoted Ipswich are slap bang in the middle of the pack in 11th spot, getting a yellow card every 4.71 bookings (21 yellows from 99 fouls). 

Using these stats, Town are actually being reffed more leniently than both fellow promoted sides Southampton (3.65) and Leicester (4.14).

Current league leaders Liverpool have been shown more leniency than Town though (5.28 fouls per booking), as have the likes of Spurs (4.95), Arsenal (5.39) and Aston Villa (6.21).

The most leniently reffed side in the top tier are Everton, with just 13 bookings from 88 fouls, an average of 6.77 fouls per booking.

The fouls per booking stats for the so-called 'big six' The fouls per booking stats for the so-called 'big six' (Image: talkSPORT BET) Ryon Scott-Douglas, spokesperson for talkSPORT BET, said: “With the Premier League now well under way, we can reveal that Manchester City have faced the harshest treatment from referees so far, whilst Liverpool and Arsenal have enjoyed the most leniency.

"City’s 18 yellow cards from just 51 fouls means they are punished by refs more severely than any other team.

"In contrast, referees have been far more lenient with Arsenal, who average over five fouls per yellow card, compared to City's 2.83.

“Liverpool also average over five fouls per yellow, as do Bournemouth, West Ham, Aston Villa and Everton.

“City, Manchester United, and Chelsea make up the three teams treated most severely by referees, not just in the ‘big six’, but in the Premier League as a whole.

"Chelsea join City at under three fouls per yellow, whilst United sit third at 3.42 ahead of Brentford.

“A lot has been made of referees’ treatment of Arsenal this season, but it seems the officials are taking their side this season, whilst their title rivals see themselves punished more than any other team in the league."

Ipswich Town skipper Sam Morsy has been booked four times - 19% of Town's total yellow cards so farIpswich Town skipper Sam Morsy has been booked four times - 19% of Town's total yellow cards so far (Image: PA) In terms of raw numbers, West Ham have committed the most fouls so far (118), with Manchester City and Brentford tied for the least on 51.

Chelsea have the most yellow cards so far with 30, while Everton have seen yellow less than any other side, with just 13 bookings to date.  

You can see the full table here...

The Premier League bookings per foul table compiled by talkSPORT BETThe Premier League bookings per foul table compiled by talkSPORT BET (Image: talkSPORT BET)