At first glance a 0-0 draw for Barnsley and a 4-2 home win for Sunderland last night don't provoke too much statistical glee - but both results protected precious unbeaten home league records.
The Tykes and the Black Cats are, in fact, two of only four sides in the top 4 tiers to remain unbeaten on their own patch in 2018/19. Liverpool and Luton Town complete the quartet.
🏠 Fewest league games lost at HOME (top 4 tiers; 2018/19):
— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) February 20, 2019
0⃣: 🛡LIVERPOOL, 🛡BARNSLEY, 🛡LUTON, 🛡SUNDERLAND
1⃣: Arsenal, Chelsea, Man C, Man U, Lincoln, Bury
2⃣: Derby, Charlton, Doncaster, Mansfield#LFC #COYR #LTFC #SAFC pic.twitter.com/zGjdmnZmNp
Unbeaten home records are wonderful things in their own right, but some are perhaps more impressive than others: Luton's record of 13 wins and 3 draws at Kenilworth Road arguably the jewel in the crown at this stage of this season. Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool have won 11 games, drawing two, at Anfield, while Barnsley - one of three League One clubs unbeaten at home - have also won 11 times at home, drawing six.
Sunderland's unbeaten streak at the Stadium of Light has been the least productive, in the very clinical sense of how many points have been accrued: the Black Cats' nine wins and eight draws earning them 35 points, in comparison to Luton's 42 and Barnsley's 39. Sunderland can momentarily congratulate themselves on winning more home points than Liverpool (34) - before they realise they've played four more home games.
This weekend only one home record will go on the line - and it's Luton's. The Hatters host Coventry City on Saturday looking to extend their five point advantage at the top of the third tier.