Top 7 Clean Sheets: English Premier League Goalkeepers 2011-12

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Standing between the frame of the goal, these towering figures must keep out a sphere 69 cm in circumference, weighing in at about 15oz, from entering the goal, at 2.44 meters (eight feet) by 7.32 meters (24 feet).

Goalkeepers in the English Premier League face a physical game, trying to limit and prevent goals from the opposition.

This season, overachievers and underperformers are evident, from their rise to stardom and fall from grace.

Let's take a look at the stats – especially clean sheets column – for the best goalkeepers in the Premier League.

7. Simon Mignolet

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Sunderland's Belgian goalkeeper, Simon Mignolet, stands at 6'4" at goal and has allowed 41 goals to be scored this season.

The 24-year-old Belgian has played 27 games (2393 minutes) so far and has made 89 saves. He makes seventh on the list thanks to his 11 clean sheets.

Mignolet has faced 403 shots on target and three penalty kicks (saving one), and Sunderland has won nine games, drawn nine and lost nine with him at goal.

6. Pepe Reina

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It's surprising that the former three-time Barclay's Golden Glove winner (2005–08) is ranked sixth in clean sheets this season.

The Spanish goalkeeper, at 6'2", has featured in 32 league games for Liverpool, who are placed in an uncharacteristically low eighth place in the Premier League table.

Liverpool has a total of 37 goals allowed, three goals while Reina was suspended for the Blackburn game for a head butt during the Newcastle-Liverpool game, which saw him sent off (Enrique ended up as temporary keeper, and Doni and Brad Jones played in the Blackburn game).

Reina has made 11 clean sheets with 82 saves made, facing 347 shots on target. He's allowed 34 goals while playing for 2,872 minutes for the Reds. He has faced three penalty shots, which have all ended up in goals.

With Reina at goal, Liverpool has won a total of 11 games, lost 12 and drawn nine times.

5. Brad Friedel

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Brad Friedel, Tottenham Hotspur's goalkeeper, is fifth in the clean sheets column, with 12 clean sheets from 34 games played. He's been able to shut out the opposition 35 percent of the time, facing 405 shots on target and making 114 saves.

He's played for 3,060 minutes, facing the penalty shot once, which he could not save. The former Villan has led Tottenham to 17 wins, losing nine times and drawing eight times.

Tottenham sits at fifth place in the EPL with 39 goals allowed from 34 games. The last goal against them came from QPR's Adel Taarabt and might cost the Spurs a chance to compete in the Champions League.

4. Michel Vorm

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Playing for newly promoted Swansea City, Michel Vorm has been in fine form, making 34 appearances for the Swans.

Vorm has 13 clean sheets to his name and has faced 496 shots on target. He has made 133 saves from 3,060 minutes and has received two yellow cards. Vorm has faced two penalty kicks, both finding the back of the net.

Swansea sits 12th in the EPL from 35 games played with 45 goals allowed. Vorm has led the Swans to 11 wins but was unable to save them from losing 14 games and drawing 10.

3. Wojciech Szczesny

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Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has made 35 appearances for Arsenal. The ever-present goalkeeper has made 13 clean sheets and 84 saves for the club.

The 6'5" goalkeeper has played 3,150 minutes and has faced 348 shots on target. He has two yellow cards to his name and has faced four penalty shots where he was able to convert one into a save.

Szczesny has led Arsenal to 20 wins, 10 losses and five draws.

Arsenal is in third place in the EPL with 43 goals allowed from 35 games played.

2. Tim Krul

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Tim Krul, Newcastle United's first-choice goalkeeper, has made a fantastic 97 saves from 34 games played this season.

Krul has allowed 42 goals, leaving Newcastle fourth in the table, at 62 points from 34 games, with 18 wins, eight losses and eight draws.

He has received three yellow cards, facing 467 shots on target and nine penalty kicks, saving two.

The Dutchman has 14 clean sheets to his name from 3,060 minutes of playing time.

1. Joe Hart

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Joe Hart, England's and Manchester City's first-choice keeper, has been ever-present at goal, playing in all of 35 games this season so far.

Hart has made 94 saves playing for 3,150 minutes and has racked up 15 clean sheets this season. Hart has been exceptional this season, allowing only 27 goals, facing 351 shots on target. He has faced three penalties this season and has so far saved one.

He is the winner of the Barclay's Golden Glove award this year and has led City to 25 wins, five losses and five draws, placing Man City in second place in the race for the title against Manchester United.