Premier League Pecking Order - Matchweek 14 (Premier League Season 2020-21)

Premier League Pecking Order- Matchweek 14 (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 14. No one had the week off, which meant all 20 Premier League teams featured. 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 Ham

West Ham failed to register a single shot on target. They clearly have plenty of work to do based on their performance in Matchweek 14. On top of that Chelsea lost arguably one of their best players through injury early; Ben Chilwell. It had the opposite impact that what would be expected, West Ham went onto their shell. To make matters worse West Ham had 46.4% possession. Furthermore, it’s what they did with that possession; they were never threatening in the final third.

19- West Brom

West Brom didn’t offer much. It’s difficult to see what impact Sam Allardyce will have on the players, but it doesn’t look good. That’s solely based on their performance in Matchweek 14. They finished the match with just one shot, which was inexcusable. Despite the fact that they were down to ten men, they showed no attacking intent. They parked the bus and lost deservedly to Aston Villa, 3-nil.

18- Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace will be thinking how could they possibly have lost 7-nil. That’s exactly why Liverpool are champions material. There was a substantial part of the 1^st half where Crystal Palace controlled the balance of play. They went into the half time break losing, 3-nil, though, because Liverpool were clinical. After that Crystal Palace were completely obliterated. That’s no surprise as Liverpool had the luxury of bringing Mohamed Salah off the bench! He didn’t disappoint scoring a brace.

17- Leeds United

Leeds United have a lot of work to do based on Matchweek 14. Having said that they came up against a formidable opponent in Manchester United. It was a typical Leeds United performance, as they couldn’t to attack. It’s difficult to fault their tactics. They scored two goals, but lost the match 6-2. They need to have a ‘balance’ between attack and defence, as they are conceding too many goals.

16- Brighton and Hove Albion

Brighton and Hove Albion put up a performance we have come accustomed to. They weren’t good enough in the key moments, once again! They weren’t clinical enough in the final third. There’s no doubt that they could get relegated. Their system is one dimensional. They didn’t deserve three points and failed to get it in the end. They played against a Sheffield United team that were down to ten men yet had to share the points.

15- Burnley

Burnley won a match 2-1 where their goalkeeper Nick Pope was arguably man of the match. It’s clear now that he is a barometer for the team. They clearly missed him earlier this Premier League Season when he was concussed, losing the match 5-nil. Having said that they were clinical in the final third as they scored two goals from their four shots on target. They have plenty to improve on. Regardless, it was a valuable three points which means they moved into 16^th place.

14- Wolves

Wolves played some decent football. They controlled the balance of play and tempo of the match. They finished with a total of 63.6% possession and had 15 shots to Burnley’s 10. The fact that Wolves had just three shots on target tells the story. It equated to one of every five shots they had being on target. They were probably the better of the two teams. Irrespective, it’s a match they would’ve expected to claim three points from.

13- Sheffield United

Sheffield United performed in an inspirational fashion. They played a quality match considering they were forced to play with ten men for just over a half. It was arguably their best player in John Lundstram who was sent off. They managed to score in the 63^rd minute and in the end should’ve won the match. What was most impressive was the unity and strength of character that they displayed.

12- Leicester City

Leicester City have work to do to improve and finish in the top four. They won 2-nil against a formidable opponent. That looks great on paper, but life and football aren’t played on paper. They only 43.6% possession. In the end they will want to prove that their display was an aberration. Their two goals were fortunate. One of the two goals was a goal from a penalty and the other, a Tottenham own goal. They need to implement changes if they want to finish in the top four.

11- Tottenham

Tottenham had more possession than Leicester City, with 56.4%. They had three shots on target, but they were unfortunate to come up against a world class goalkeeper. That goalkeeper was Kasper Schmeichel, who proved to be a pivotal part of Leicester City winning. There were some positives to take out of the match from a Tottenham perspective. They didn’t just sit back, they had a go, but to no avail.

10- Everton

Everton would be disappointed with their performance as they only had two shots on target, against Arsenal. On top of that, Everton only had 42.2% possession. Despite being threatening at times for the second Matchweek running Gylfi Sigurdsson delivered an exquisite cross from a cross. The ball was put on a plate from a corner when the score was 1-all and Yerry Mina made it 2-1 with a clinical header. The goal came just before half time. They were slightly fortunate to win as they weren’t at their best, but that’s football.

9- Newcastle United

Newcastle United would be upset that they didn’t claim all three points against Fulham. Despite that fact Fulham took the lead, in somewhat fortunate circumstances, through a Newcastle United own goal. It was a deserved one goal deficit that Newcastle United went into the half time break with. The 2^nd half was a different story as they started to control the balance of play and regain the ascendancy. Disillusioned sums up the way they would feel in 1-all score line. Given Fulham went down to ten men, one point would leave Newcastle United dissatisfied.

8- Fulham

Fulham played some decent football in the 1^st half in particular. They controlled the game in that half, which warranted more than the 1-nil score line at half time. The 2^nd half was a completely different kettle of fish. They were forced to play the majority of the half with just ten men. They would be grateful in the end, that they collected one point. There was plenty of character shown in Fulham’s display.

7- Arsenal

Arsenal made it the same old story as they lost 2-1 as they played some decent football. They would be looking for answers. The match was won through a pinpoint corner for Everton. That one moment was the difference between the two teams on the scoreboard. Arsenal once again played to a decent standard as they had 13 shots to the opposition’s nine. They controlled possession and the balance of play for much of the match, but put simply they never took their chances.

6- Southampton

Southampton put in a good shift against a Manchester City team that’s rated highly. In particular in the 2^nd half it was apparent that Southampton deserved to take at least a point. Instead, they left the match empty handed. The stats were fairly even and they would take plenty of positives away from the match. That’s despite losing, as they are still a chance of finishing in the top four based on their performance.

5- Manchester City

Manchester City can consider themselves somewhat lucky to have claimed all three points. They did play well and at a high tempo, but were fortunate they have such good players in their team. The fact that the stats were even sums up the match. It was almost a match of two halves. In the 2^nd half Southampton did everything in their power to equalise. They won thanks to Kevin De Bruyne providing an outstanding assist for Raheem Sterling in the 16^th minute. They still have some work to do, based on their display.

4- Chelsea

Chelsea left it till late in the match to get some breathing space against West Ham. Chelsea played against a team that weren’t up for the challenge. Having said that, Chelsea were fairly clinical as they scored three goals from the seven shots that they had on target. Losing Ben Chilwell through injury, tested their depth. They passed that test with flying colours. They could’ve played better and the score was only 1-nil for the majority of the match. The last two goals were Tammy Abraham were gifted to Chelsea, but they still resulted in goals.

3- Liverpool

Liverpool scored from seven of the eight shots that they had on target. There was a period in the 1^st half where they were forced to whether the storm, as they were outplayed at times. That occurred during the 1^st half hour of the match. They were lucky that they scored in the 3^rd minute as they could afford to sit back. All they had to do was wait to regain the ascendancy. Put simply, they seized the opportunities to score when they came along, which was exactly what they did in their seven goal win.

2- Aston Villa

Aston Villa put in a display that was exceptional. They didn’t have much opposition, but their tactics were spot on. They had ten shots on target and 67.3% possession. (In a nutshell) they deserved to win the match by more than three goals. Having said that it was a performance that they’ll be looking to prove wasn’t an aberration.

1- Manchester United

The 1^st three minutes were exhilarating with Scott McTominay scoring a brace. After that the match was all but over. Remarkably they scored six goals, with none of the goals coming from strikers. Their performance in Matchweek 14 should be the template as far as the manner in which they play is concerned. They conceded two goals against Leeds United, but won 6-2. Remarkably, Manchester United had 14 shots on target and less possession than their opponents! Throw the stats out the window!