Premier League Week 14 Power Rankings
Premier League action heats up as the weather cools down. Chelsea scored a huge win to take a commanding lead in the table, but how did the rest of the league fare?
20. Swansea (LW:17)
Bob giveth, and Bob taketh away. Or, really, Bob gets taketh for a ride. A week after becoming a literally unparalleled American hero, Bob Bradley’s side collapsed back to earth with an absolutely punchless showing against Tottenham, evident in their single shot taken.
19. Hull (LW: 19)
After knocking off Newcastle in the League Cup in the middle of the week on penalties, Hull had to have some confidence on the road against Middlesbrough. One crucial lapse in defensive attention ruined an otherwise noble effort, though Boro were certainly the more prepared team of the two.
18. Sunderland (LW: 20)
Robert Huth’s own goal was opportune, but Jermain Defoe’s rebounded effort was a master class in placement. As they battle to get out of the relegation zone, every point will be crucial for David Moyes and the Black Cats.
17. West Ham (LW: 15)
In his first appearance back from injury, Andy Carroll was able to provide a scoring touch off the bench. Alas, it was too little, too late, and the Hammers found themselves on the business end of their own symbolic instrument.
16. Leicester (LW: 14)
The Lions continue their lackadaisical fall from grace; three of their last four league games have resulted in one-goal losses, exactly the type of win which became their trademark a season ago. Transfer speculation will run rampant when the calendar turns to 2017.
15. Crystal Palace (LW: 18)
Christian Benteke’s brace led the way for the Eagles, with the first coming off an embarrassingly poor Fraser Forster non-clearance. Benteke now has seven goals on the season for Palace.
14. Middlesbrough (LW: 16)
Gaston Ramirez slid under the defense to tap in Boro’s only goal, which ended up being sufficient. Following impressive performances against top sides like Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City, it was vital for Aitor Karanka’s men to secure three points at home against a relegation candidate.
13. Burnley (LW: 13)
The Clarets squandered several of their best opportunities, including some they scuttled themselves. Ashley Barnes had probably the best look of the day on a shot he harmlessly jettisoned directly at the keeper.
12. Watford (LW: 8)
Christian Kabasele’s goal could have been a momentum-shifting moment; instead, the Hornets fell back into bad habits, and Roberto Pereyra got sent off for a schoolyard scuffle.
11. Stoke (LW: 11)
The Potters managed several near-misses, yet came up with the victory anyway. Mame Diouf played in a wonderful cross that Jonathan Walters corralled and redirected for a confounding goal. Marc Muniesa added another, courtesy of an exquisite assist from Marko Arnautovic.
10. Bournemouth (LW: 12)
Sunday was a good day to be any Cherry, but it was especially sweet if you happened to be Nathan Ake. The Dutch defender’s follow up on his own blocked shot proved to be the decisive strike in a thrilling match at home.
9. Southampton (LW : 7)
The comedown after beating Arsenal midweek was bound to be brutal, and facing the team with the best offense in the bottom half of the table never figured to be easy. Even so, the Saints played it closer than the score suggests, but they couldn’t manage to strike.
8. West Brom (LW: 10)
The Baggies were terrors on set pieces, scoring two of their three from free-kicks. James McClean was lucky to evade a red card for his part in the late extracurricular activity. Aside from that, West Brom were solid.
7. Everton (LW: 9)
A late Leighton Baines penalty salvaged a point at home in an otherwise uninspired effort. The Toffees now haven’t won in league play in over a month.
6. Manchester United (LW: 6)
With Jose Mourinho back on the sideline, United played a thorough, mostly precise game which included a stunning Zlatan Ibrahimovic chip from distance. “Mostly” ends up being the operative word, however, as the late penalty spoiled what could have been a momentum builder for the Red Devils.
5. Manchester City (LW: 3)
Despite dominating possession, as Pep Guardiola squads are wont to do, City failed to convert several presentable chances, the best of which fell to Kevin De Bruyne in front of an open goal. They were punished by the more clinical side.
4. Liverpool (LW: 2)
In their first game without talisman Philippe Coutinho, the Reds proved their league-best offense isn’t reliant on one man. Unfortunately, a porous second half led to a stoppage time loss for Jurgen Klopp’s men, who may be watching their title chances slip.
3. Tottenham (LW: 5)
There was no better way to return from a disappointing, one-goal loss to the league leaders a week ago than to hammer a cellar dweller into submission. Harry Kane’s strike before halftime was the harbinger of things to come, and both he and Christian Eriksen finished with braces.
2. Arsenal (LW: 4)
With his hat-trick, Alexis Sanchez re-inserted himself into the Golden Boot conversation. Not to be outdone, Mesut Ozil tapped in an Alexis assist, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain added another.
1. Chelsea (LW: 1)
Gary Cahill spotted the opponents an own goal just before halftime, but it was no matter. Antonio Conte’s side played a balanced, punishing second half, with goals coming from Diego Costa (who else?), Willian and Eden Hazard. Chelsea now sit firmly in the driver’s seat at the top of the table.