Premier League Week 11 Power Rankings
Premier League play remains prominent as European competitions intensify. Liverpool might really, actually (maybe) be for real this time, but how did the rest of the league fare?
20. Swansea (LW: 17)
Bob Bradley’s already had a tough go of things during his short time at the helm of Swansea. Despite an excellent free kick header from Mike van der Hoorn, the Swans simply didn’t have enough on the day.
19. Sunderland (LW: 20)
First, a moment of silence for the end of Sunderland’s run at a winless season. They won a game. They finally did it! Victor Anichebe brought the Black Cats level with his first goal in a year and a half, an impeccable close range strike from an impossible angle. Jermain Defoe deftly finished a penalty, and Sunderland have their first win of the season.
18. West Ham (LW: 15)
It was better to be lucky than good for Michail Antonio, whose header clipped the post and rolled favorably for the Hammers’ lone goal on the day. In related news, it would behoove Adrian to stay a little closer to home in goal.
17. Hull (LW: 19)
Two quick goals in the second half, one apiece from Robert Snodgrass and Michael Dawson, gave the Tigers the lead they needed to put away Southampton. Splendid defensive play under pressure, and a few lucky breaks, helped.
16. Crystal Palace (LW: 14)
The second half was the story for the Eagles, who drew level after digging themselves a two-goal deficit. Wilfried Zaha’s dribble and cross on the Charlie Wickham goal was one of the better assists of the season.
15. Bournemouth (LW: 11)
After a rollicking start to the season, Bournemouth have had trouble picking up what should be easy points. Dan Gosling’s close-range finish off an Adam Smith cross was sublime, but a lack of discipline was apparent, especially in defense. The Cherries have now lost two straight league games.
14. Middlesbrough (LW: 16)
Going into the Etihad is one of the more precarious propositions facing clubs now, but the Boro met the challenge with vigor. After going into extra time down, Marten de Roon headed one just past Claudio Bravo to steal points on the road.
13. Stoke (LW: 16)
Not even Joe Allen, last week’s savior, could change the course of the game enough for the Potters. Indeed, he finished with but a single shot, as well as a yellow card. Bojan Krkic’s equalizer came as the result of Adrian venturing way out of goal, or else Stoke would have lost this one.
12. Leicester (LW: 8)
The champions’ lackluster play continues. Following a first half of near-misses, the Lions gave one up before quickly equalizing on an Islam Slimani header that was almost a mirror of the first goal.
11. West Brom (LW: 17)
James Morrison redirected a Matt Phillips cross to the far post in a stunning bit of skill. Soon thereafter, Phillips followed with his own clever ball, a skipper over Ron-Robert Zieler, completing a breakaway begun with a poor Leicester pass. This is the Baggies’ first win in a month and a half across all competitions.
10. Burnley (LW: 13)
Early on, Burnley looked as if they were ready to run away with the game, getting ahead 2-0 by halftime. The “most dangerous score” maxim proved to be true, however, and the Clarets needed stoppage time heroics from substitute Ashley Barnes to claim the three points.
9. Southampton (LW: 10)
The Saints got out to an early lead, with Charlie Austin sliding home a slick penalty. Southampton held 66 percent possession and finished with a 19-6 shot advantage, but their undisciplined play – five yellow cards to Hull’s zero – didn’t help.
8. Watford (LW: 7)
It was a tough day at the office for the Hornets, who dug themselves a 3-0 hole before halftime. Darly Janmaat’s goal was a weirdly satisfying completion of a nice bit of play from Watford, at least.
7. Everton (LW: 5)
Trouble everywhere abounded for the Blues, but it began in the midfield, where a Gareth Barry misplayed ball led to the first goal. From there, it was just a collection of breakdowns.
6. Manchester United (LW: 9)
The Red Devils remain a perplexing lot. Paul Pogba finished a remarkable one-timer off an attempted clearance from outside the box. Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s roller from roughly the same distance had the benefit of defensive screening, but he scored another to remove any doubt.
5. Tottenham (LW: 6)
It had to feel good for Harry Kane to score a goal, even if it was but a penalty. Last year’s Golden Boot winner returned to Premier League action following ankle ligament issues that have sidelined him for the last month and a half. Spurs did well to pick up points away and remain the only undefeated team left in the league.
4. Manchester City (LW: 2)
Fatigue following their midweek triumph over Barcelona may have been at play here. Kevin de Bruyne assisted Sergio Aguero’s 150th Premier League goal, a marvelous redirection off a cross, but the Citizens dropped valuable points at home.
3. Arsenal (LW: 4)
A Kevin Wimmer own goal proved to be the Gunners’ only lifeline, with subpar performances plaguing Mesut Ozil, Alexis and Olivier Giroud. Even so, Arsenal won its Champions League tie in the middle of the week and has only one loss in league play.
2. Chelsea (LW: 3)
Chelsea are in fine form as of late, having not dropped points in league play in over a month. Eden Hazard in particular is the fire your mother warned you not to play with; his brace led the charge for the Blues.
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1. Liverpool (LW: 6)
From the start, nearly everything went right for the Reds. Sadio Mane, Philippe Coutinho and Emre Can each had a goal before halftime, and Liverpool sit alone at the top of the table for the first time since May 2014.