Premier League Pecking Order - Matchweek 1 (Premier League Season 2020-21)

Premier League Pecking Order- Matchweek 1 (Premier League Season 2020/21- In a Nutshell)

The pecking order is based on the performance of the Premier League teams during Matchweek; in this case, Matchweek 1. It’s not purely based on results. There were 16 teams that played in Matchweek 1 as there were two games that were postponed; Burnley against Manchester United and Aston Villa against Manchester City. The Premier League Pecking Order starts with the 16^th best team (worst team) on the Pecking Order and the finishes with the 1^st team on the Pecking Order.

16- Fulham

Fulham weren’t at the races in their opening game in the Premier League. It shows how poorly they performed given that their goal keeper Marek Rodak was their game changer!

15- West Bromwich Albion

West Bromwich Albion had just 35.8% possession against Leicester City and finished with just one shot on target. Two of the three goals that they conceded were penalties that they gave away.

14- Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace were outplayed by Southampton as they had 29.4% possession as opposed to Southampton’s 70.6% possession. Vicente Guaita was instrumental in Crystal Palace beating Southampton 1-nil as he made five saves. The majority of the saves he made were difficult to save; Crystal Palace have him to thank for claiming all three points.

13- Sheffield United

Sheffield United showed some resilience after conceding the first two goals of the game in six minutes. Even though the game was practically over after six minutes, Sheffield United did well to regain some ascendancy in controlling possession.

12- Brighton and Hove Albion

Brighton and Hove Albion had more possession and shots than Chelsea. It indicates that stats aren’t everything, because Chelsea won the game 3-1. Having said that Brighton and Hove Albion did show plenty of character to make the score 1-all in the second half, but to no avail.

11- West Ham United

West Ham United had 58.3% possession as opposed Newcastle United 41.7%. Surprisingly, both teams had 15 shots with West Ham United having three shots on target as opposed to Newcastle United’s two!

10- Chelsea

Chelsea played a reasonable game on the whole. They managed to score two goals through defenders and the other goal they scored was a penalty. The fact that they won by two goals can be a bit deceiving as Brighton and Hove Albion were better than Chelsea in a couple of statistical measurements. Matchweek 1 proved that Chelsea have plenty of improvement if they are to finish in the top four in Premier League Season 2019/20.

9- Wolves

Wolves won the game within six minutes, due to scoring two goals during that period of time. They still had to weather the storm as Sheffield United controlled possession. They say that 2-nil is the most dangerous score in football. Credit to Wolves for surviving and keeping a clean sheet and not being complacent.

8- Newcastle United

Newcastle United played West Ham United in a game that they would have felt that they should have won if they are to endeavour to finish in the top ten this Season. The difference between the two teams was that Newcastle United were clinical in the final third, winning 2-nil. New recruit Callum Wilson was an important part of Newcastle United winning. Without him in the team they may not have won against West Ham United as he was arguably the man of the match!

7- Leicester City

Leicester City controlled the game against West Bromwich Albion as they had 64.2% possession and seven shots on target from their 13 shots. Although they won the game three nil, only one goal was scored from open play. That’s why they weren’t high in the Pecking Order, as they should have won by more!

6- Arsenal

Arsenal played someone reasonable football, but their goalkeeper, Bernd Leno just prevented a goal for Kamara due to an errant back pass in the 2^nd minutes. Alexander Lacazette scored in the 8^th minute; a simple goal due to Willian’s shot being deflected and after that it was all Arsenal. They won 3-nil, but it should have been more.

5- Liverpool

Liverpool could have been forgiven for not claiming all three points against Leeds United and endeavouring to salvage a draw, following the three times that Leeds United equalised. That’s not the way Liverpool plays; they continued to attack finishing with 22 shots and showing plenty of character to win a danger game 4-3.

4- Southampton

Southampton may have controlled possession, but they lost the game against Crystal Palace 1-nil. Despite that, Southampton controlled the tempo of the game and the balance of play with five shots on target to Crystal Palace’s three.

3- Everton

Everton played well in an upset win over Tottenham as they had less shots on target and possession than Tottenham. Both of the stats were very slightly lower than Tottenham’s. The fact that they can thank Jordan Pickford, partly, for them winning the game is the only reason that they are below Tottenham on the Pecking Order. Everton may have performed well, but were fortunate to have Pickford as their goalkeeper.

2- Tottenham

Tottenham lost a game that they deserved to get something out of in terms of a result. They had 51.6% possession and five shots on target to Everton’s four. The game was played at an extremely high tempo, which is why Tottenham sit second on the Premier League Pecking Order for Matchweek

1- Leeds United

Leeds United never gave up, putting in a brave performance. Leeds United equalised on three occasions! They could have been forgiven for trying to play defensively and limit the deficit to one goal after trailing 1-nil, but they continued to attack, against Liverpool; the Premier League Season 2019/20 Champions. Leeds United had slightly more possession than Liverpool. Two of the four goals that they conceded were penalties, which shows that they would have won the game 3-2 had they not given away the penalties!