Premier League Week 12 Power Rankings

Premier League action returns from the international break. Chelsea has a slight lead in the table, but how did the rest of the league fare?

1. Swansea (LW: 20)

Bob Bradley has had a rough go of things as the first American manager in the Premier League, but the effort against Swansea on Saturday was perhaps the best team showing of his short tenure. Gylfi Sigurdsson’s penalty before the half put the Swans in good position to capture three points. One is better than none, and they’ll take any points they can get.

1. Hull (LW: 17)

Despite 58 percent possession and a nearly 90 percent passing completion percentage, the Tigers failed to capitalize on any of their numerous chances. Ryan Mason had several of the better opportunities but could not find the back of the net. Hull have the worst goal differential in the league, and it isn’t close.

1. Sunderland (LW: 19)

Awfully cordial of the Black Cats to wait until the 11th match day to win a game, only to follow it up the next week by beginning a streak. Jermain Defoe’s opener and Victor Anichebe’s first were point blank and by the book, but Anichebe’s second was a beauty that took a favorable spin off the post.

1. West Ham (LW: 18)

Twice, the Hammers went ahead, and twice, they failed to keep the lead. With a flying header, Michail Antonio asserted himself as a poacher, tossing in a “Thriller” dance for good measure. Though the conceded penalty was questionable, West Ham finds itself in a troubling spot.

1. Crystal Palace (LW: 16)

Each of the relinquished goals was heavily defended and just managed to slip through the margins. Connor Wickham’s equalizer was smashing, as he burst into open space and rocketed a shot past Claudio Bravo. The Eagles have lost every match they have played since Sept. 30 against Everton.

1. Middlesbrough (LW: 16)

Even in a loss, the Boro played fashionable, effective soccer. Alvaro Negredo had a golden opportunity that he could not slot home, and Victor Valdes was splendid between the posts.

1. Stoke (LW: 13)

As former NBA player Rasheed Wallace would say, “Ball don’t lie!” On Saturday, that held true, as Ryan Shawcross got away with a maniacal tackle that should have led to a penalty only for Bojan Krkic to drive a later penalty off the crossbar. Stoke committed several egregious errors, and the score shows a game much closer than it actually was.

1. Leicester (LW: 12)

Too much pattering around in possession seemed to doom the Lions, as their lack of real urgency for most of the game marked a jaded side. Riyad Mahrez’s penalty finish went as expected, but Leicester continues to suffer from a seeming lack of focus.

1. Burnley (LW: 10)

There was little the Clarets could do to stop West Brom’s magnificent play, and the lopsided result was indicative of that. Burnley struggled creating openings against a stout West Brom defense and seemed to spend most of the day pressed back in their own box despite holding more possession. A real test awaits this week, as they face Man City.

1. Bournemouth (LW: 15)

Callum Wilson deserved a penalty early on, but Nathan Ake’s revenge header ultimately proved to be sweet enough. The service from Junior Stanislas on the only goal of the day was textbook. Now, the Cherries head to the Emirates to take on Arsenal. Safe to say that Jack Wilshire will be looking for vengeance of his own.

1. West Brom (LW: 17)

Salomon Rondon was the finest player of the match, showcasing for a side unwilling to relent. His goal was the Baggies’ fourth of the day, following an earlier assist, and he has now scored four in thirteen appearances for West Brom, who slowly seem to be rounding into fine form.

1. Southampton (LW: 9)

The Saints played necessarily scrappily, deploying careful defensive positioning and timely tackles to deny Liverpool’s best chances at a goal. Fraser Forster held strong at the few times he was truly needed.

1. Everton (LW: 7)

Phil Jagielka sent Gylfi Sigurdsson to the ground, conceding the penalty, and it looked as if the Toffees were about to drop valuable points to an overmatched opponent. That is, until Seamus Coleman saved the day and picked up a point for his side with the equalizing header.

1. Watford (LW: 8)

Right after the opening kickoff, Watford’s patience paid dividends, as Roberto Pereyra’s play up the wing created a sensational opening for Etienne Capoue’s eventual finish. Pereyra followed that up with a far post curler of his own. A mistimed tackle led to a conceded penalty, but the Hornets were sublime for most of the day.

1. Manchester United (LW: 6)

United’s inconsistency in league play continues, surely to Jose Mourinho’s dismay. On the Red Devils’ only goal of the day, Ander Herrera’s service through the box to Juan Mata was a distinct bit of courage that paid off. Excellent goalkeeping thwarted many of United’s best chances, though Paul Pogba has rounded into nearly impeccable form.

1. Arsenal (LW: 3)

But for the brilliance of Petr Cech, the Gunners would surely have given up four or five goals on the day. As it was, Cech made several impressive saves, allowing a late Olivier Giroud equalizer to salvage a point.

1. Tottenham (LW: 5)

The two Harrys – Winks, on his Premier League debut, and Kane, very much not debuting – gave Spurs the push forth on the scoresheet that they needed, but it was Heung-Min Son whose effort off the bench provided the spark.

1. Manchester City (LW: 4)

Now that Yaya Toure has patched things up with Pep Guardiola, the remainder of the table may have those pesky Citizens to worry about yet again. For his first strike, the Ivory Coast midfielder received a bit of help from a deflection. However, his second ended up being the difference, and he left no doubt about his importance to this side.

1. Liverpool (LW: 1)

On the road, Jurgen Klopp’s men struggled to find the finishing touch. Emre Can had an excellent service ball denied in the box, and Philippe Coutinho could not muster his usual brilliance.

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1. Chelsea (LW: 2)

In a game of limited chances, Diego Costa seized his moment with a rebound off a corner. Pedro had two openings as well, including one off the post, and Victor Moses badly misplayed one directly in front of net. No matter: the Blues now sit alone atop the table.