Premier League Pecking Order - Matchweek 15 (Premier League Season 2020-21)

Premier League Pecking Order- Matchweek 15 (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 15. 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- Newcastle United

Newcastle United had a poor match. It’s a game they’ll look be on and think they showed the opposition too much respect. They weren’t attacking enough; there was a clear game plan that was to sit back and defend. With only. The fact they had 24.9% possession and just two shots on target says it all. They deserved to lose and were fortunate Karl Darlow was their goalkeeper as he made some good saves. As a matter of fact, they were lucky Manchester City weren’t more clinical in the final third.

19- Southampton

Southampton would be bitterly upset with the manner in which they played. It was almost as if they came into the match expecting to win. Despite having 53.3% possession, they finished with just three shots! They nearly scored, but were unfortunate to be caught offside. Their performance against Fulham who are battling relegation was deplorable. The point that Southampton should want to make is that their Matchweek 15 display was an aberration.

18- Fulham

Fulham played some good football at times, however; they didn’t offer much in the final third. The fact is they had just one shot on target from ten shots. Their game plan they went with was the most disappointing part, because they didn’t play badly. There was too much time taken to get the ball into the box. It was a missed opportunity for Fulham.

17- Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace were unfortunate they came up against a goalkeeper in top form. The Aston Villa goalkeeper, Emiliano Martínez was on top form. He made a key save in the 1^st minute from Wilfried Zaha. Despite losing 3-nil to a team that played with ten men for half the match, Crystal Palace showed some attacking flair. They finished the game with a total of six shots on target and 61.3% possession. There’s no doubt improvements have to come defensively and they need to be more clinical in the final third.

16- Liverpool

Liverpool put in a performance that would have them worried. They didn’t deserve to win against West Brom. From a total of 17 shots than managed to have just two shots on target! Their control of possession, with 78.1% possession says it all. It just shows how stats can be deceiving. They have plenty of work to do if they want to be title contenders!

15- Chelsea

Chelsea lost a match that they would have expected to win. They played against an Arsenal team that has been out of form. The fact that Chelsea had 61% possession showed that they need to improve on their tactics. They finished with a total of just three shots on target. One of the shots on target came from a missed penalty. They did show plenty of endeavour to get back into the game. The fact is they came up against a team that was tactically better than them.

14- Brighton and Hove Albion

Brighton and Hove Albion performed to a fairly acceptable level. It was the same old story for them though, they weren’t good enough in the key moments. They controlled the tempo of the game and the balance of play in the 1^st half against West Ham. There’s no doubt that Brighton and Hove Albion should’ve had a bigger lead than one goal at half time. The 2^nd half was a different story. In the end they claimed a point for the 7^th time in 15 games this Premier League Season!

13- West Ham

West Ham were no where to be seen in the 1^st half. To put it simply, they were deplorable. They let Brighton and Hove Albion do what they wanted, which was to take control of the match. Credit to David Moyes, as he reacted by making two substitutions at half time. It was a game of two halves! Remarkably, it was a chalk and cheese for West Ham when analysing their 1^st and 2^nd half performances. They may have had 43.6% possession for the match, but they were extremely good in the 2^nd half!

12- Tottenham

Tottenham weren’t at their best against Wolves. It’s difficult to tell whether it was due to bad tactics or complacency. They opened the scoring in the 1^st minute of the game. From there on they should’ve been looking constantly for a 2^nd goal, but they didn’t. They had 45.2% possession and only six shots, with three on target. They need to make some alterations if they are to finish in the top four.

11- Sheffield United

Sheffield United put in a simply gritty performance. Once again, they left a match that they could’ve got something out of, empty handed, in terms of points. They didn’t play badly and proved that there’s some hope left in terms of not being relegated. It’s up to them to stay resilient as they have done. The points will come if they play in the manner that they played in against Everton.

10- Leeds United

Leeds United had slightly more possession than Burnley. Even though Leeds United finished with four shots on target, they didn’t offer their usual attacking flair. In particular in the 2^nd half, they were outplayed by Burnley. The fact Leeds United played a Burnley team that was on form, meant Leeds United were lucky to win. To be fair they played some decent football in the 1^st half, but their 2^nd half wasn’t good enough.

9- Leicester City

Leicester City did well to get a draw as they only had two shots on target and scored both. Despite having 55.4% possession, they weren’t efficient enough when in possession. (In a nutshell) they must improve on their display in Matchweek 15 if they are to finish in the top four.

8- Everton

Everton showed plenty of character to claim a win over Sheffield United. The match came down to a moment of brilliance from Gylfi Sigurdsson. He broke the deadlock in the 80^th minute. The final score of 1-nil sums Everton’s Season up. They have been good when the key moments arise. The fact that they had 56.2% possession and three shots on target sums it up. There are no easy matches in the Premier League.

7- West Brom

West Brom played a match that was tactically good. They had only 21.9% possession. Despite that, somehow, they finished with three shots on target to Liverpool’s two. The manner in which West Brom fought to claim a point showed that they have a lot of character. If they play in the manner in which they played in this game in their remaining matches they will avoid relegation!

6- Burnley

Burnley played some good football. They were unfortunate that they conceded a goal early on, from a Leeds United penalty. The fact that Burnley were unlucky not to score, didn’t deter them, as they played well. They had a goal ruled that was perceived as a foul from a cross on the Leeds United goalkeeper. The fact that Burnley finished the match with six shots on target told the story. They controlled the match, particularly in the 2^nd half.

5- Wolves

Wolves would be disappointed to have conceded a goal in the 1^st minute of the game. Somehow, it proved to be a blessing in disguise. The goal appeared to motivate them and force them to play attacking football. The manner in which they played wasn’t only a good style of football, but entertaining to watch as well! There’s nothing much more they could’ve done. Everyone put in a good shift and they claimed a point with a late equaliser. They were rewarded for their hard work against Tottenham, who are currently 5^th on the Premier League Table!

4- Aston Villa

Aston Villa finished the match with a total of ten shots on target. That’s despite going down to ten men near half time. They may have only had 38.6% possession, but they always looked threatening in the final third. They were fortunate that their goalkeeper was on form, as Emiliano Martínez made some crucial saves. The final score of 3-nil in their favour was a fair reflection of the match.

3- Manchester United

Manchester United had a 2-all draw with Leicester City in Matchweek 15. They should view the final result as a missed opportunity as they controlled the balance of play. The fact they had 45.6% possession indicated they were efficient in possession as they had four shots on target. It’s a match that was played at a reasonable tempo and they played against a good team. At the end of the day they could have won the match and that should motivate them. They played some decent football, that’s the main thing.

2- Manchester City

Manchester City played in a match that was effectively a one horse race. They controlled the tempo of the game and the balance of play. They made their opposition, which was Newcastle United, look elementary. The fact that Manchester City made Newcastle United look like a 1^st division team says it all. It appeared as if Manchester City were well prepared and executed the game plan to perfection.

1- Arsenal

Arsenal played some good football in what may serve to be a Season defining win for them. They will need to prove that their performance in Matchweek 15 wasn’t an aberration. They scored seven goals from the three shots that they had were on target. The fact that they had 39% possession, but won the match 3-1, indicated the tactics implemented worked to perfection. It was one of those matches where almost everything went right!