Premier League Week 10 Power Rankings
Premier League action continues on toward the holidays. Many top teams stumbled to draws, but how did the rest of the league fare?
20. Sunderland (LW: 20)
Duncan Watmore found himself alone behind a sleeping Arsenal defense and deftly drew the penalty from a charging Petr Cech. Jermain Defoe’s finish on the penalty, however, seemed only to awake a sleeping giant. Sunderland remain without a win on the season. More lonely nights in darkened rooms await David Moyes, it seems.
19. Hull (LW: 18)
Holding an opponent to only one goal is a tremendous feat for a Hull defense that owns the league’s worst goal differential. Unfortunately, the fact it was an own goal from Michael Dawson won’t inspire confidence among Tigers supporters. A game next week against Southampton, who boast only a +1 goal differential, may prove to be something of a test.
18. Swansea (LW: 17)
Though they went behind early, the Swans showed massive resilience with an almost immediate equalizer courtesy of a pressing Wayne Routledge. Alas, an own goal scuttled otherwise solid defensive play in the second half, and Swansea surrendered another. The Swans are now winless since August.
17. West Brom (LW: 15)
With only 30 percent possession, the Baggies did not make it easy for themselves against City. West Brom managed only a single shot on goal. Having only won twice in the league this season, they may have to scrounge to keep themselves out of the relegation zone.
16. Middlesbrough (LW: 19)
Boro has plenty of individual talent but rarely puts it all together. Saturday’s match against a stronger-than-expected Bournemouth squad had plenty for Middlesbrough fans to enjoy. Gaston Ramirez had a truly breathtaking run on the counterattack for the first, and the setup for Stewart Downing on the second was a well-oiled machine in motion.
15. West Ham (LW: 14)
Stout defense and a refreshingly lively counterattack led to several early chances for the Hammers, but they failed to capitalize. A lack of help defense spelled doom for West Ham on the day.
14. Crystal Palace (LW: 12)
A poor clearance led to one, and a brilliant cross led to the other. James McArthur’s brace showed a man seizing the moment, but it was not enough for the Eagles, who haven’t won in over a month.
13. Stoke (LW: 16)
Wilfried Bony found himself in a poacher’s position, redirecting a Joe Allen through ball off a corner for an early goal. Bony added another, and with an own goal to boot, the Potters have now won three straight in league play.
12. Burnley (LW: 13)
On the one hand, the Clarets held strong in several precarious situations, managing strong clearances. In particular, Tom Heaton had a near-career day against a relentless Manchester United attack. On the other, Burnley could not take advantage of the Red Devils being a man down. Even so, it was a strong defensive performance that should not be soon forgotten.
11. Bournemouth (LW: 9)
Benik Afobe misplaced an earlier opportunity and failed to finish a wide open free-kick, which served as the Cherries’ best chances on the day. With a match against Sunderland coming up, it would behoove them to grab a positive goal difference while they can.
10. Southampton (LW: 10)
Dusan Tadic had perhaps the best chance of the day with his free kick, which was just a tad slow for the finish. Charlie Austin was involved in seemingly every play in the second half, but a goal remained just out of reach. The Saints have only lost to teams in the top half of the table, which is encouraging.
9. Manchester United (LW: 8)
The absurd shot discrepancy alone should have kicked United down a few more slots this week. That they managed not to relinquish a go-ahead goal after Ander Herrera was sent off — albeit under questionable circumstances, as his slip looked legitimate — is little consolation for Jose Mourinho’s men. With each passing week, the Wayne Rooney question becomes more glaring.
8. Leicester (LW: 11)
One could see Kasper Schmeichel growing increasingly frustrated as the day went on — with his opponents, with his teammates and with the referees. Robert Huth should not deserve his ire, however, and when the Lions played in a form reminiscent of last year’s title-winning squad — i.e., on the play that led to Ahmed Musa’s equalizer — they were excellent.
7. Watford (LW: 7)
Watford’s losses thus far are to Burnley, Arsenal and Chelsea. That they manage to continue drawing points out of matches of questionable difficulty — they should have beaten Hull by three or four, to be clear, though they only won by virtue of an own goal — speaks to a particular brand of underdog vitality that a club like Watford needs to possess throughout the season. The new year should be exciting for the Hornets.
6. Tottenham (LW: 5)
Vincent Janssen drew a cheeky penalty for Spurs’ goal, and they had chances otherwise. Spurs continue to draw offense from various outlets, but this season could shape up as another missed chance unless they develop consistency against clubs of all types.
5. Everton (LW: 6)
Yannick Bolasie’s follow up on the chance that led to Romelu Lukaku’s goal was textbook, and his delivery was the same. Lukaku paid it forward with a plush cross to Ross Barkley for the second. It was the Toffees’ first league win in over a month.
4. Arsenal (LW: 4)
Whenever Alexis is feeling himself, the Gunners can count on having a chance. Against a team like Sunderland, the chances were plenty, with two seeing the back of the net. Petr Cech’s surrendered penalty was not indicative of his veteran presence, but he was great otherwise. Olivier Giroud truly is the definitive super-sub, as he netted two in less than half an hour of playing time.
3. Chelsea (LW: 3)
Drawing from his deep bag of tricks, Eden Hazard finished at a tight angle after breaking the defense for the first and was otherwise excellent on the day, though he misjudged another opportunity on a breakaway. Diego Costa’s finish for the second was a curl right out of FIFA.
2. Manchester City (LW: 2)
Few strikers in the world inspire as much awe when in-form as Sergio Aguero. His first was a slice at a tight angle, while his second was positively diabolical. He was also integral to each half of Ilkay Gundogan’s brace, contributing to City’s league-leading goal differential.
1. Liverpool (LW: 1)
Riding Philippe Coutinho’s form is a risky gamble for any club. Though he is showing flashes of the consistency which typically eludes him — his two assists were splendid on Saturday — this was a win which showcased Liverpool’s all-around effectiveness more than anything. Liverpool remain losers of only one game in the league thus far this season.