Premier League interesting rankings: Huddersfield are an enigma
By Ty Finch
Huddersfield go hot and cold more frequently than any other club in the Premier League. Here are the updated interesting rankings.
20. West Brom (Last week: 19)
The Baggies lose again and drop further into last place in the table. They sometimes scrape attacking moves together but rarely score them. Their manager is a sitting duck. It’s all but certain West Bromwill be relegated. It has to be tough to be a fan right now.
19. West Ham (18)
The way West Ham were picking up points a few months ago was unsustainable. The Hammers took full advantage of nearly every chance in front of goal and held off the opposition just enough. Now, the goals aren’t always going in and the defense isn’t any better.
18. Bournemouth (20)
The Cherries jump a few spots for their last-ditch comeback at home against Newcastle on Saturday. It was an unexpected, but welcome sight for Eddie Howe’s men, and they’ll need every point they can muster. There’s just five points between them in 11th place and the crowded relegation zone.
17. Burnley (15)
Ashley Barnes’ goal vs. Southampton over the weekend was quintessential Burnley. Was it stylish? Heck no. Was it effective? Hey, a goal is a goal no matter how it goes across the line. The Clarets’ opener came from a cross from the wings, headed around a few times and eventually bundled over the line. It works for them. It’s also not very fun to watch.
16. Everton (17)
When Everton were failing in the early months of the season, at least they were an interesting study. Sam Allardyce brought some much-needed stability to the side, but also dampened their intrigue, which all but lies with Cenk Tosun’s storyline at this point.
15. Southampton (14)
Southampton earned a tough away point to Burnley on Saturday, which was enough to elevate them out of the bottom three on goal differential. That’s a start, but Mauricio Pellegrino is going to have to start winning more to keep his job.
14. Crystal Palace (9)
Fourteenth. The place Palace should probably end up come the end of the season. They weren’t as bad as the early season struggles and not as good as that eight-week unbeaten run they had in the winter. Palace are a lot less fun to watch when Wilfried Zaha is sidelined.
13. Arsenal (8)
The Gunners put up a fight for one half against Manchester City in the League Cup. It was predictable. Arsenal are like those choose-your-own-adventure books, but the person reading it has short-term memory loss. Every match is a chance to start new, and every match ends in pretty much the same way.
12. Manchester United (13)
Manchester United win in a dull contest and things are fine. Manchester United lose in a dull contest then things aren’t fine. Mourinho is nothing if not consistent. A genuinely fun win against Chelsea on Sunday helps them a bit, but don’t fall for it. The next one will be listless.
11. Leicester (5)
The Foxes needed a stoke of luck to manage a draw from a side in relegation. Needing an own goal to even the score against the worst defensive side in the league is a recipe for a drop in these rankings. Leicester haven’t won in their last four, two of which were against the bottom three. They need to shake this run of form off.
10. Newcastle (12)
On or off the pitch, Newcastle seem to be in lock-step with each other. One moment they’re up by two against a fellow relegation battler and the next the match ends tied. One moment it really seems like Mike Ashley will sell, the next he’s content to wait the year out. This only gets old when things begin to look dire for Newcastle. That hasn’t happened yet.
9. Watford (10)
In the Marco Silva derby, Watford came out on top 1-0 over Everton. Javi Gracia came into the job with the team at a low point and slowly steadied the ship. Watford still have players than can produce great moments, as shown by Troy Deeney last week as he lashed in the game’s only goal. They probably aren’t anything better than mid-table, but might as well look good doing it.
8. Brighton (16)
In a previous iteration of this column, the phrase, “if you’ve seen one Brighton match this season, you’ve seen them all” was penned. The Seagulls proved that sentiment very wrong against Swansea on Saturday, piling on the goals in the second half to down a surging Swans side. They’ve proven most everyone wrong thus far, and that’s the most fun part about them.
7. Stoke (11)
” … and somehow, Stoke survive.”
Jon Champion uttered those words in the second half of the Stoke-Leicester match on Saturday morning after a flurry of Leicester chances fell begging in a short period of time. That has to be Stoke’s motto this season. Judging by their raw statistics, the Potters deserve relegation. But Xherdan Shaqiri keeps putting that off every week.
6. Tottenham (7)
Yet another Spurs game ends with Harry Kane as the hero. Late in the second half against Palace, Tottenham seemed to have run out of ideas in attack until they remembered the “get the ball to Kane in the box” play in the 88th minute. Although Spurs fans likely would rather see a definitive win over a lesser opponent, at least this way won’t get old for the rest of us.
Next: Ranking every Premier League season
5. Chelsea (2)
If not for a bad pass from a Chelsea center-back in the Champions League, the Blues likely would’ve had a 1-0 lead going into the second leg against Barcelona. Willian carried his scintillating form from that match to the United clash, but it ultimately wasn’t enough. When this side is on its game, though, it can beat anyone.
4. Huddersfield (6)
Huddersfield answer a five-match losing streak with a two-match winning one. Just a month ago, this team was falling fast in the table with no end in sight. The Terriers only managed one goal in that five game losing streak. That’s all behind them, then. Six goals in the next two against fellow relegation battlers sees David Wagner’s side into 14th. It’s possible Huddersfield eek out of this season barely breathing but still alive. It’s also very possible they lose the rest of their matches.
3. Swansea (3)
Swansea were the big winners last week for their torrid five week stretch entering the late stages of the league. Carlos Carvalhal then provided the quote of the year in a press conference regarding the use of stats. Swansea went on to face Brighton in a six-pointer and lost 4-1 over the weekend. Whatever happens to Swansea the rest of the way is going to be fun regardless. Just get along for the ride.
2. Manchester City (1)
City’s play continues to be stellar. They create chances unexpectedly and pull off feats of remarkable skill on a regular basis. They’re dominant in the league and out of it. It’s hard to imagine City playing in a dull match the rest of the season in any competition. But their storyline is worn thin now. They’re far and away the best club in England; just win the league already.
1. Liverpool (4)
Liverpool are simply more intriguing right now. They’re not a better side than City, but they offer more in terms of excitement. Liverpool are third in the league, but second in goals scored and worst in the top five in goals allowed. Every match is appointment viewing for Mohamed Salah alone at this point. Liverpool are probably the second best team in the Premier League this season, and at this point are the most interesting.