Premier League Pecking Order- Matchweek 10 (Premier League Season 2020/21- In a Nutshell)
The pecking order is based on the performance of the Premier League teams during the given Matchweek; on this occasion, it’s Matchweek 10. No one had the week off, which meant all 20 Premier League teams featured. The Premier League Pecking Order starts with the 20th team (worst performed team) on the Pecking Order and finishes with the 1st team (best performed team) on the Pecking Order.
20- Burnley
Burnley were without their number one, starting goalkeeper, Nick Pope. It showed, they were without a chance of getting any points out the game from the opening stages. The fact that they conceded five goals from Manchester City’s six shots on target showed Pope’s importance to Burnley.
19- Liverpool
Liverpool played like they believed that three points were a certainty to take from Matchweek 10. There was an air of complacency as they only had two shots on target from six attempts. They conceded two penalties, of which only one hit the target. In the end they may have had 59.6% possession, but they didn’t play at their usual standard.
18- Tottenham
Tottenham were fortunate to take a point out of their match against Chelsea. The fact that they kept a clean sheet can be accredited to Tottenham’s goalkeeper, Hugo Lloris. There wasn’t much for them to take from the game apart from a clean sheet and a point. They finished the match with just one shot on target from five shots, which summed their defensive game plan.
17- Arsenal
Arsenal finished the game with just two shots on target from 13 attempts! They didn’t make the most of their chances, despite scoring an equalising goal in the 30th minute. There weren’t positives to take out of the game. That’s despite having 56.2% possession. It emphasises how meaningless stats can be at times as they lost the game deservedly 2-1. They may get relegated if their Matchweek 10 performance wasn’t an aberration.
16- Chelsea
Chelsea had 60.3% possession and had three shots on target from 13 attempts. Why Olivier Giroud only came on in the 79th minute was bewildering. That sums up why they shouldn’t be considered title contenders. They don’t make enough tactical changes and don’t have the game plan to win the Premier League this Season. It was a case of two points lost, rather than one point gained for Chelsea in Matchweek 10.
15- Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace had more of the possession than their opposition as they had 57.4%. It proved a meaningless stat as they had just three shots on target from 12 attempts. They lost the game somewhat deservedly against a reasonably impressive Newcastle United team who scored two late goals.
14- West Ham
West Ham were fortunate to have claimed a 2-1 win over Aston Villa. The fact that West Ham had just 34% possession says it all. They also finished with a total of two shots from six attempts. Contrastingly, Aston Villa had a total of six shots on target from 16 attempts. The fact that Aston Villa hit the bar from a penalty in the 74th minute, sums up the game. It means that West Ham were extremely lucky to win 2-1.
13- Brighton and Hove Albion
Brighton and Hove Albion played some decent football, but they failed to take all three points in Matchweek 10. Despite the fact that they only had 40.4% possession, they had three shots on target to Liverpool’s two. They had a penalty in the 20th minute, which Neal Maupay failed to hit the target with. That’s why Brighton and Hove Albion’s Season and why they sit 16th on the Premier League table. The fact is they aren’t good enough in key moments in matches and Matchweek 10 was no exception.
12- Sheffield United
Sheffield United were playing against West Brom who had yet to have won this Season. Despite that, the game was surprisingly entertaining of a reasonable standard. At the end of the match, Sheffield United had five shots on target from 21 attempts! They didn’t sit back and try and get a draw. The brand of football they played was attacking. They were unlucky that West Brom goalkeeper Sam Johnstone was on top form.
11- Leicester City
Leicester City controlled the game from a possession perspective, but to no avail as they lost 2-1. They finished with a total of 68% possession, yet they had two less shots on target than Fulham. In the end the game plan Leicester City implemented didn’t stack up. They were outplayed from a tactical sense, but sit near the middle of the pecking order. The reason why they sit there is due to putting in a reasonable display, despite losing.
10- Fulham
Fulham played a smart game of football as they finished with five shots on target to Leicester City’s three. That’s despite the fact that they had just 32% possession. It shows how deceptive that statistics can be. They claimed a deserved upset win over Leicester City and now sit outside the relegation zone.
9- Newcastle United
Newcastle United can take plenty of positives from Matchweek 10. They showed plenty of character to keep a clean sheet and score a goal in the 88th and 90th minute. Football is a team sport, but Callum Wilson showed that they are a better take with him in it. At the end of the day they deserved to win as their seven shots on target was a pretty impressive stat.
8- West Brom
West Brom played against Sheffield United who are bottom of the Premier League Table. What it proved is that every game in the Premier League is tough. The match played was of more than an average standard.
7- Wolves
Wolves only had 43.8% possession, yet they had five shots on target from 11 attempts. They outplayed Arsenal and thoroughly deserved their 2-1 win.
6- Southampton
Southampton did well to get a 2-nil lead, but squandered it, somehow. They showed how much their set pieces revolve around James Ward-Prowse as the first two goals substantiated. The first goal was from a corner and the second a free kick. The fact that they lost the game was due to the individual brilliance of Manchester United’s substitute Edinson Carvani!
5- Manchester United
Manchester United played good football in the second half in particular. They showed resilience and character in a win over a Southampton team that played good football. The fact that it was 2-nil at half time and Manchester United fought back to win says it all. It was the tactical nous of Ole Gunnar Solskjær to bring on Edinson Cavani at half time that changed the game. The team displayed that they were playing for their manager as they had an inspirational win.
4- Leeds United
Leeds United may have had 58.2% possession, but they had six shots on target, to Everton’s eight. They can thank the brilliance of their goalkeeper, Illan Meslier, who made eight saves. Despite that, Leeds United did play a good brand of football and squander some chances to score. They won 1-nil, but they still have defensive frailties to work on. Regardless, they are the most exciting to watch in the Premier League, arguably, because they attack relentlessly.
3- Everton
Everton played a good style of football, but were unfortunate to play an opponent with a world class goalkeeper. Without Leeds United’s goalkeeper, Illan Meslier Everton may have won comprehensively. Despite Everton playing good football it’s bewildering to see Bernard and Gylfi Sigurdsson on the substitutes bench. They could have won had those two players been in the starting line up.
2- Aston Villa
Aston Villa sit 2nd on the Pecking Order as they had six shots on target to West Ham’s two. The fact that Aston Villa had 66% possession means something, as they were constructive with it. Unfortunately, they lost 2-1, even though they didn’t deserve to. They had a penalty that hit the bar in the 74th minute. They had a goal ruled out during 2nd half stoppage time. That’s due to VAR deeming a goal scored, as offside. There were plenty of positives for Aston Villa to take out of the game.
1- Manchester City
Manchester played against a Burnley team without their number one goalkeeper due to injury. It showed, because Nick Pope, the Burnley goalkeeper proved to be a bit of a barometer for his team. The fact that Manchester City scored five goals from their six shots on target showed that they were ruthless. They even dominated possession with 68.6%. Their style of play was elite, so was the system and structure implemented.
Premier League Pecking Order- Matchweek 10 (Premier League Season 2020/21- Final Thoughts)
It was an entertaining Matchweek 10 of the Premier League, which can be substantiated by the Pecking Order. There were two draws in the ten games that were played! In five out of eight games the winning team had less possession than the losing team! Six out of 20 teams, which equates to 30% of teams that didn’t concede a goal. As opposed to Matchweek 9, three of the top five teams in the Matchweek 10 Pecking order, won.