Premier League Pecking Order - Matchweek 7 (Premier League Season 2020-21)

Premier League Pecking Order- Matchweek 7 (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 7. It’s not only centred around results. There were 20 teams that played in Matchweek 7. The Premier League Pecking Order starts with the 20^th team (worst performed team) on the Pecking Order and finishes with the 1^st team (best performed team) on the Pecking Order.

20- West Bromwich Albion

West Bromwich Albion would be disappointed with the manner in which they played. They made Fulham look like a good team, in what was Fulham’s 1^st win of the Season. Despite the fact that West Bromwich Albion had 54.3% possession they had just one shot on target! After trailing 2-nil in the 30^th minute they didn’t look like forging any attacks.

19- Burnley

Burnley were completely outplayed by a Chelsea team that were at the top of their game. The loss could have been more than three goals if not for Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope, as Chelsea had a total of nine shots on target.

18- Sheffield United

Sheffield United didn’t turn up in the first half, apart from their goalkeeper, Aaron Ramsdale who kept the deficit to one goal at half time. The 2^nd half was a completely different story with Sheffield United controlling the balance of play against a formidable opponent in Manchester City, but at the end of the day they only one shot on target from three attempts.

17- Leeds United

Leeds United should have scored in the 2^nd minute through Patrick Bamford, but they failed to score. Instead, they conceded the opening goal of the game from the subsequent passage of play. Despite having four shots on target and having 67.5% possession they lost the game 4-1. Last Matchweek Patrick Bamford was the hero for Leeds United. This Matchweek he wasn’t as he missed two goals that would be considered by elementary by him.

16- Arsenal

Arsenal would be disappointed in their performance, despite beating Manchester United 1-nil. The fact of the matter was there was no urgency from Arsenal when they had possession of the ball. They did score the only goal of the game from the penalty spot in the 69^th minute. There was little else for them to take out of the game apart from the three points.

15- Manchester United

Manchester United played poorly in a game that they should have been well prepared for. They played ‘some’ decent football, but they finished the game with just two shots on target from eight attempts. Despite looking a bit disjointed they were arguably the better of the two teams. It was a game to forget though as the standard of football wasn’t great.

14- Brighton and Hove Albion

Brighton and Hove Albion played some good football, but it was the same old story as they got no points to show for it. They did reasonably well when in possession. Despite that, Brighton and Hove Albion conceded the 1^st goal of the game in the 13^th minute due to a goal from a penalty. They controlled possession with 56.6%. There was no end product with just two shots on target, one of which was a goal that should have been ruled out!

13- Everton

Everton played one of the worst halves of football imaginable, but the score was nil-all at half time. Despite doing well defensively it was a sign of things to come as they conceded two goals in the second half. Even though they were trailing 2-nil they never lost hope as they scored a goal in the 2^nd half stoppage time thanks to Dominic Calvert-Lewin. They didn’t play bad football after half time; both them and Newcastle United finished with four shots on target for the game!

12- Newcastle United

Newcastle United played what was a boring style of football in the 1^st half, but they were solid defensively, despite that. They were fortunate to receive a penalty, which was scored by Callum Wilson in the 56^th minute. In the 2^nd half they started to switch the play and scored a 2^nd goal in the 84^th minute from Callum Wilson. They then played an extremely defensive system and paid the price conceding a needless goal in 2^nd half stoppage time, but they hung on for a 2-1 win over Everton.

11- Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace performed admirably, but they had just two shots on target from 11 attempts. It’s a game that they could have got something out of as they were denied a goal due to VAR, because of an offside. That decision came shortly before Wolves opened the scoring. It could be argued that Crystal Palace deserved a penalty in the 52^nd minute. Unfortunately, Crystal Palace conceded the only two goals of the game in the 27^th minute. From then on, it was difficult for them to come back, but they were competitive and showed decent endeavour.

10- West Ham

West Ham put up in a good performance. They opened the scoring in the 10^th minute thanks to a clinical finish from Pablo Fornals. They didn’t cause Liverpool much problems after that in the final third, but impressively three of their four shots were on target! Despite nearly getting something out of the game in terms of points they were too conservative as they had just 27.5% possession against a Liverpool team who inevitably made the score 2-1 in the 85^th minute. The main reason West Ham lost was that they allowed Liverpool control the game.

9- Liverpool

Liverpool put in a disappointing display by their standards. That’s despite the fact that they claimed all three points. They conceded a goal early on, but from then on it was all Liverpool, at least from a possession perspective, as they had 72.5% of it. They were fortunate that they got a penalty late in the first half, which was scored by Mohamed Salah, which meant that the score was 1-all at half time. Their perseverance paid off and they scored what proved to be the winner late on.

8- Tottenham

Tottenham are fortunate that they defeated Brighton and Hove Albion 2-1 as Tottenham were outplayed for parts of the game. Despite the fact that they showed plenty of resilience to win the game. Unfortunately, Brighton and Hove Albion’s equaliser should have been ruled out in the 56^th minute. It was due to the fact Solly March from Brighton and Hove Albion committed what appeared to be a foul, in the lead up to the goal. Despite that Tottenham hit the post twice and played some good football, winning the game 2-1.

7- Fulham

Fulham played a decent game in which they completely outplayed West Bromwich Albion. The fact that finished the game with six shots to West Bromwich Albion’s one sums up the game. Despite having 45.7% possession, Fulham controlled the tempo of the game. Their performance in Matchweek should give them hope that there’s some light at the end of the tunnel. That’s as far as not being relegated in the Premier League Season 2020/21 is concerned.

6- Southampton

Southampton played an outstanding first half going into the break leading 3-nil. It was due to three world class goals. Remarkably, two of the three goals were from perfect free kicks from Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse. It was 4-nil in Southampton’s favour in the 58^th minute with a goal against the run of play and the game appeared over. They were completely outplayed by Aston Villa in the second half. Incredibly, Southampton scored four goals from four shots on target and had two goals disallowed. They won 4-3, but they were lucky they had Alex McCarthy as goalkeeper.

5- Leicester City

Leicester City may have won 4-1 against Leeds United, but they were fortunate to some extent. As mentioned, Patrick Bamford of Leeds United missed two easy goals based on his form this Season. Both misses came in the 1^st half. Despite the fact Leicester City had what appears to be an easy win going by the scoreboard, they had just 32.5% possession. They were Kasper Schmeichel was their goalkeeper and scored one goal from the penalty spot.

4- Aston Villa

Aston Villa had a poor 1^st half, however they did trail 3-nil at half time due to three world class goals scored by Southampton. There was a lot of character shown by Aston Villa as they fought back in the 2^nd half. They scored two of their three goals in stoppage time, which would be pleasing for them. They had ten shots on target to Southampton’s four. Despite that, they lost the game 4-3. There were many positives for Aston Villa in what was an enthralling contest.

3- Wolves

Wolves had a relatively comfortable win over Crystal Palace, because they scored two goals in the first 27 minutes. Despite the fact that Wolves were winning 2-nil they still looked to control the game. They finished with five shots on target to the opposition’s two.

2- Manchester City

Manchester City played an attractive style of football in the 1^st half. They were rewarded with the opening goal of the game in the 28^th minute thanks to right back, Kyle Walker, who was the best player on the pitch. In the 2^nd half they played more defensively, because they had to due to Sheffield United controlling the balance of play. Despite that, Manchester City won 1-nil win. It could have been more than one goal, but Sheffield United’s goalkeeper had a good game.

1- Chelsea

Chelsea made Burnley look like they will be relegated. It was one way traffic, with Chelsea controlling every aspect of the game. They scored three goals from their nine shots on target and they were also solid defensively as Burnley failed to register a single shot on target!