Premier League interesting rankings: ‘America’s club’ edition

Following a down week, Chelsea got back on track with a resounding victory over Southampton. How does the rest of the league stand?

20. Sunderland (LW: 20)

The Black Cats caught a break by having their Arsenal match last weekend postponed due to FA Cup play, at least until they lost to Middlesbrough in their midweek match anyway. Twelve points back of safety, Sunderland are destined for relegation, even with a game in hand.

19. Burnley (LW: 19)

After being on the business end of a shellacking against United, Burnley look much worse for wear heading into the season’s last slate of games. On top of that, midfielder Joey Barton received an 18-month ban from the FA for gambling, which he says “effectively” forces him into an early retirement. Happy trails, Joey. We’ll always have the last match day of 2012.

18. Middlesbrough (LW: 18)

Middlesbrough bounced back from a disappointing loss to Bournemouth with a win against relegation-bound Sunderland, but that hasn’t changed their outlook much, and reports suggest Ben Gibson will likely leave this summer if the club get relegated.

17. Stoke (LW: 17)

A troubling loss to a bottom-feeding Swansea side leaves Stoke stuck in the middle with the likes of Watford and Palace. Afterward, both Jonathan Walters and Ryan Shawcross were linked with moves, with the latter giving so much confidence in his current club as to say, “I’m not going to Newcastle … at the moment.”

16. Southampton (LW : 15)

The Saints didn’t have to play Chelsea on Sunday because of the latter’s FA Cup obligations, but moving it to Tuesday simply delayed the inevitable. A valiant effort fell short, though Southampton remain in the top half of the table, well safe from relegation.

15. Watford (LW: 14)

Hornets, Hornets, Hornets: where are your strikers now? With a man advantage for two-thirds of the game, Watford lost anyway, continuing to shed a light on their own scoring inabilities.

14. Bournemouth (LW: 16)

Just when you’d like to write the Cherries off completely, as I would, they put up four goals in delightful fashion. This is the team as it should have been all season, aggressively attacking and employing a hockey-like forecheck defense in their own zone to draw chances.

13. West Brom (LW: 13)

The Baggies were surely excited to have their game against City suspended due to FA Cup play, but perhaps they trained a bit too hard. Both Matt Phillips and Hal Robson-Kanu picked up suspected hamstring injuries, which may limit them against Leicester this weekend.

12. West Ham (LW: 12)

What they lacked in precision, the Hammers made up for in persistence, generating the better of the chances in a scoreless draw against Everton. West Ham did prevent a white-hot Romelu Lukaku from scoring, but aside from that, it was a tepid performance.

11. Liverpool (LW: 11)

Philippe Coutinho’s masterful free-kick gave the Reds the lead, but they were unable to maintain it. Two second-half goals relinquished, and Liverpool’s standing in the top four suddenly seems much shakier than previously.

10. Everton (LW: 9)

In the highest-attended match between West Ham and Everton ever, both teams fell flat. Romelu Lukaku failed to score against the Hammers for the first time in an Everton uniform, ending a remarkable run at a rather inopportune time for transfer rumors. Of note: Seamus Coleman has returned to limited physical activity, but with no timetable for return.

9. Chelsea (LW: 8)

A win over Southampton could be just what Antonio Conte ordered for his league-leading side, who nevertheless face a challenge down the stretch. It’s their title to lose, to be certain, but — stranger things have happened.

8. Swansea (LW: 10)

Paul Clement called the game against Stoke a “must-win,” and his side delivered with a 2-0 victory to correct their recent run of form. Recently, Landon Donovan, a club adviser hired last summer, said he wants to make Swansea “America’s club.” Stateside, we’re off to a charming start if “our” club gets relegated.

7. Hull (LW: 7)

Remarkably, Hull’s best form came after Oumar Niasse got sent off less than half an hour into their match against Watford. Reduced to 10 men, Lazar Markovic scored a header on the break that wasn’t quite in, but he finished it off on the rebound. Sam Clucas followed with a stunner, and Hull remain above drop zone.

6. Manchester City (LW: 6)

Sergio Aguero moved on the counter and poked a lovely ball in for the opener, but City fell to Arsenal in the FA Cup anyway. Afterward, Pep Guardiola had to maintain that the club will not go pursuing the likes of Dele Alli this summer.

5. Arsenal (LW: 4)

Defeating City in the FA Cup just may be the juice Arsene Wenger needs to stick around the Emirates, which may be unfortunate for Arsenal fans in the longer term. The three-defender look Wenger debuted last week is a notable change in style for the typically obstinate Frenchman.

4. Manchester United (LW: 5)

If Jose Mourinho is serious about a run at the top four, handily beating the likes of Burnley is a good place to start. He also reportedly has his eyes on another prize: Chelsea’s Willian, a target for one of at least four summer signings United will pursue.

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3. Leicester (LW: 3)

Dodging a tie with Spurs due to FA Cup action, the Foxes may have spent part of their time off monitoring Hull keeper Eldin Jakupovic, who is expected to be on the move this summer. Where that leaves Kasper Schmeichel, no one is yet to say.

2. Tottenham (LW: 2)

While not necessarily beating down Chelsea’s door, Tottenham are at least sending a singing telegram letting the Blues know they’re on their way. A loss to the league leaders in the FA Cup semifinal may have poked Spurs’ confidence, or it may have been a concessionary move on Mauricio Pochettino’s part to play opossum.

1. Crystal Palace (LW: 1)

Is everybody seeing what’s going on here? The Eagles seemed fated to fall to the Championship until fairly recently. Since mid-February, Sam Allardyce has guided his squad to six wins in eight Premier League matches. This smells distinctly of pre-title run Leicester.