Raheem Sterling extends becomes player who has won the most penalties in Premier League History

 Raheem Sterling is enduring a difficult run in his career, with his Cheslea side struggling in the Premier League and the winger finding himself out of the England squad.

While the player himself isn’t playing too badly, he would have been hoping for more success for Chelsea under Mauricio Pochettino this term.

While the Blues suffered a shock defeat to Championship side Middlesbrough in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final in the week, they may have turned a corner in the league.

They have now won three games in a row, with victories over Crystal Palace, Luton and most recently Fulham coming after their loss to Wolves at the end of December.

And Sterling has contributed. He won the penalty that Cole Palmer converted against Fulham, taking him three clear on the list of all-time penalties won in the Premier League.

Issa Diop tripped the 29-year-old in the box towards the end of the second half at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, which was the 26th time he has won a penalty in his Premier League career.

It extended his lead at the top of the table, which has Leicester forward, Jamie Vardy, in second with 23 penalties won.

Wilfried Zaha (19), Alan Shearer (15) and Andrew Johnson (14) make up the top five.

There could be something to be said for the top three players all being current players, with the VAR age making it easier for referees to make decisions.

Sterling has won three of his 26 penalties this season, which is the most of any player in the division.

Chelsea overall have also won more spot kicks than any team with eight in their 21 matches to date.

The Blues have had a difficult season with injuries, with key summer signings Christopher Nkunku and Romeo Lavia missing for the majorty of the season.

They have suffered some shock defeats, but have climbed the table recently and will have hopes of putting pressure on the European spots as the second half of the season progresses.

Though the Champions League may be a long shot, the potential of finishing in the Europa League or Conference League places is a possibility. 

The Blues will feel positive following the win, despite being made to work for it by a solid Fulham team.

Marco Silva’s side deployed a low block for the majority of the match, and almost equalised close to full time on a number of occasions with set pieces being sent into the box.

The result took the Blues to eighth in the Premier League table, level on points with Brighton and Manchester United and ahead of Newcastle.