We’re four weeks into the Premier League schedule – do you know where your team is?
It may sound silly to look at the table and make some assumptions about the season on the whole with just over 10% played, but with the international break on it’s a good time to take stock of what we’ve seen so far.
The very top of the table is fairly predictable with both Liverpool and Manchester City leading the way. The Reds are on a club-record winning streak and the only thing that looks like could slow them down is themselves. Adrian looks like a liability between the sticks and could eventually cost them some points before Alisson returns from his calf injury.
The Citizens are unlucky to not be atop the table. If not for a VAR decision against Spurs, they would also be heading into the break with a 100% record.
The biggest surprises are a trio of teams that sit firmly in the middle of the table: Manchester United, Tottenham and Chelsea. With just five points apiece from their four games, these supposed Big 6 clubs haven’t impressed in the early going and have looked in various stages of turmoil.
After crushing the Blues in the opener, United has looked awful to the point that we’re already seeing articles asking if this is the worst Red Devils side of the Premier League era. It’s still early in the season, but is it also too early to ask if Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is long for his post? Because it doesn’t look like it.
As for Chelsea, we knew this was going to be a tough campaign with Frank Lampard coming in and not being able to buy reinforcements. But with youngsters like Mason Mount and Tammy Abraham playing well and showing they belong in the top flight, at least there’s some promise.
As for Spurs, this might be the messiest situation. Even manager Mauricio Pochettino admits there’s unrest in the locker room. The problems didn’t just begin this season either, as Tottenham has won just four of its past 16 games with only 16 points from those contests.
With so many players in the midfield, the team seems unsettled. Christian Eriksen has been on the bench to start two games, Dele Alli has played just 30 minutes and Heung-min Son sat out two contests. Of the new signings, Giovani Lo Celso has played just 44 minutes, Tanguy Ndombele had a goal and assist in two games before getting hurt and Ryan Sessegnon is recovering from a hamstring injury.
After blowing Sunday’s North London derby, you know this team will be stewing over its week off. But with a date against a hot Crystal Palace side – more on the Eagles later – we’ll see if Spurs can channel their frustration into some points.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Remember when everybody thought that Pep Guardiola was ready to move on from Sergio Aguero in favour of Gabriel Jesus because the Brazilian started the opener over arguably the best Premier League striker ever?
Well, since coming on as a sub in that game, all that Kun has done is score six goals in 266 minutes on the pitch. That includes two goals and an assist this weekend against overmatched Brighton & Hove Albion.
As long as Aguero keeps firing in goals at this rate, it looks like the very promising Jesus is going to be firmly behind him on Pep’s depth chart.
AROUND THE LEAGUE
Man City was lucky to avoid the same transfer ban that has Chelsea treading water for two windows. The big difference between the two clubs is that City only breached the rule about signing U-18 players once while Chelsea was at it repeatedly … Daniel James has already established himself as a solid player at Man U, but here’s a telling stat about a Red Devil that just left: James now has as many EPL goals for United as Alexis Sanchez did. The big difference between the two, obviously, is the price of each. In fact, Alexis was paid $65 million during his time in Manchester, which averages out to $13.1 million per goal scored by the Chilean winger … Teemu Pukki had quite the first month in the Premier League, showing that he can compete against top-flight defences. For his troubles, he was named player of the month for August. Now, if he could only help out Norwich’s defenders … Speaking of the Canaries’ back line, it’s about to go from bad to worse. Injuries have started to pile up for a unit that has allowed the most goals so far this season with 10. Business is about to pick up for goalkeeper Tim Krul … Critics of VAR should have a field day with Aston Villa’s loss to Palace. Jack Grealish was called for a dive right before Henri Lansbury fired home what should’ve been the equalizer. That’s fine, except Grealish didn’t really embellish much and was quick to get up, not even looking for a call. Villa fans should be disappointed, but it’s not like they particularly earned a point in the previous 95 minutes … How is Roberto Firmino the first Brazilian to reach 50 goals in the EPL? Have there really not been that many successful Brazilians? It seems surprising at first, but on further reflection the next player on the list is former Red Philippe Coutinho. While there have been plenty of solid playmakers, the best Brazilians in the world seem to avoid England.
THE LAST WORD
Here’s a pop quiz for you all: Since February, which club has the third most Premier League points behind Liverpool and Manchester City?
Here’s another question: Which club is most recent English visiting team to win at each of Anfield, the Etihad, the Emirates and Old Trafford?
The answer to both questions is Crystal Palace.
Roy Hodgson has done a fantastic job in south London despite his club being an afterthought in the capital. With a record of 9-3-5 good for 30 points dating back to last season, Palace should easily find itself at least sitting in the midtable when everything shakes out. Pegged my some as a relegation battler, that should come as a relief to many supporters.
Despite selling top defender Aaron Wan Bissaka in the summer, the Eagles’ defence has been solid, allowing two goals in four games. The attack hasn’t impressed yet, but the talent is there and Jordan Ayew has provided some finishing up front.
The Eagles are flying high, we’ll just see how long they can keep it up but the recent track record is surprisingly there.