Premier League Pecking Order- Matchweek 22 (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 22. 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- Southampton
Southampton being the last team picked in Matchweek 22 was a no brainer. They lost 9-nil against Manchester United. The fact that Southampton only had 25.4% possession and one shot on target says it all. They also had two players sent off. There was nothing positive for them to take out of the match. They have plenty of work to do.
19- Burnley
Burnley performed at a level that was unacceptable. They finished the match with just two shots, neither of which were on target. They only had 25.7% possession. The fact is they were fortunate to only lose 2-nil to Manchester City. In any other Matchweek, Burnley would’ve been last on the Pecking Order.
18- Fulham
Fulham would be extremely disappointed with the manner in which they played. That’s despite the fact they had 57.5% possession and eight shots compared with Leicester City’s nine. The fact is that Fulham only registered one shot on target. Taking everything into account Fulham were simply outclassed by Leicester City.
17- Liverpool
Liverpool would be bitterly upset with their display against Brighton and Hove Albion. The fact that Liverpool controlled possession with 63.4% of it would be most disappointing. They managed to have just one shot on target from 11 shots. It appeared as if their mind wasn’t on the task at hand. They may have been thinking about their next match against Manchester City.
16- Arsenal
Arsenal may have scored the opening goal of the match against Wolves, but Arsenal were deplorable. They had a total of just three shots on target to Wolves nine. The fact that Arsenal had two players sent off says it all. They lost the match deservedly; 2-1.
15- Aston Villa
Aston Villa would be extremely despondent with their display against West Ham. The fact that Aston Villa had 56.5% possession, but had just two shots on target tells the story. It was a match that Aston Villa would have gone into looking to claim all three points. To be brutally honest they were disappointing and the 3-1 loss was a fair result.
14- Tottenham
Tottenham wouldn’t be content with their display in Matchweek 22, against Chelsea. On the contrary, Tottenham would be despondent with their performance. They only had 42% possession and two shots on target from seven shots. The one positive from the match for them would be they restricted Chelsea to two shots on target. Of those two shots, one was from the penalty spot.
13- Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace won a match that they could have lost. At least from a statistical perspective. They only three shots on target, but scored from two of their three shots on target. The fact is that Crystal Palace didn’t deserve to win. It was a total of 21 shots to six in favour of Newcastle United. Along with that Crystal Palace had just 38.7% possession.
12- Chelsea
Chelsea controlled the tempo of the match and the balance of play. They finished win 58% possession. They would be disappointed they had just two shots on target from 18 shots. One of the two shots that they had on target was from the penalty spot. They restricted Tottenham to just two shots on target from the seven shots they had. Based on the stats it was a deserved 1-nil win for Chelsea.
11- West Brom
West Brom suffered a loss in a match they could have won, against Sheffield United. They took the lead close to half time. They played some good football at times. In the end they deserved to lose and consequently lost the match. They had just 31.7% possession. Despite that they were quite effective in the final third with four shots on target of their eight shots. There still some positives for them to take from the match.
10- Newcastle United
Newcastle United scored in the 2nd minute, but somehow lost their way. They had five shots on target and 61.3% possession. It was a game they could have won, but lost 2-1. They need to continue on the form they displayed and perhaps tweak their tactics a bit. The fact is they rely heavily on Callum Wilson in the final third.
9- Wolves
Wolves showed plenty of character after conceding the opening goal of the match. They worked hard and their discipline and the way they applied themselves paid off. They won a match, which they could easily have lost after conceding the opening goal of the match. The fact that they finished with seven shots on target and had 54.6% possession.
8- Brighton and Hove Albion
Brighton and Hove Albion put in a decent display against Liverpool. The fact that Brighton and Hove Albion only had 36.6%, meant nothing. They had four shots on target, three more than Liverpool! The fact that they won the match against last season’s champions meant that they showed plenty of character.
7- Sheffield United
Sheffield United finished the match with six shots on target and had 68.3% possession. They deserved to win the match and they were rewarded as they won 2-1. It was more of the case that Sheffield United were good, than West Brom were poor. There’s clearly a chance that Sheffield United can prevent being relegated. They have won three of their last five matches.
6- Leicester City
Leicester City proved that they should be contenders for the Premier League title. They did it all without Jamie Vardy, who was absent due to injury. They had five shots on target from just nine shots. They were clinical in the final third. The final ball was from James Maddison for both of their goals. All of that was done with having had just 42.5% possession, against Fulham.
5- Everton
Everton played some good football. That’s despite the fact they had 37.2% possession. They were extremely efficient in the final third. The fact that they scored two goals from five shots on target substantiates that. They finished with six of their ten shots on target. It was a match against Leeds United that Everton could well have lost. Nevertheless, Everton would still be pleased with their display.
4- Manchester City
Manchester City controlled the balance of play and the tempo of the game from start to finish. They finished with six shots on target. They also had 74.3% possession. They may have not conceded a shot on target against Burnley, but Manchester City should’ve scored more goals. They’d be disappointed with the fact that they only scored two goals.
3- Leeds United
Leeds United played in the manner in which they always play, which is all out attack. They always play a risky style of play where they can be vulnerable defensively. That’s why they are possibly the most watchable team in the Premier League this season. They finished with seven shots on target from 16 shots. Along with that, they had 62.8% possession. They may have lost 2-1, but it was a good performance from a well coached team. They are arguably the best team to watch in the Premier League. The fact is Leeds United never stop trying to score.
2- West Ham
West Ham played a good style of football and implemented the tactics given to them well. They never stopped attacking. In any other Matchweek they may well have finished in 1st position on the Pecking Order. They finished with ten shots on target from 20 shots. They did that with 43.5% possession against Aston Villa. In the end it was a well deserved 3-1 win for West Ham as they made the most of their chances.
1- Manchester United
Manchester United were the obvious choice to be the 1st team picked in the Pecking Order in Matchweek 22. They dominated the match against Southampton and scored nine goals from 14 shots on target! It’s remarkable and inspirational the manner in which Manchester United have turned their form around. Not many people would’ve predicted the way they have transformed from rock bottom to be Premier League title contenders. They aren’t only contenders, as their performances have been impressive.
Premier League Pecking Order- Matchweek 22 (Premier League Season 2020/21- Final Thoughts)
It was an entertaining Matchweek 22 of football in the Premier League. That can be substantiated in the Pecking Order. There were three draws in ten matches. There were 31 goals scored in ten matches. In five out of ten matches, the losing team had more possession than their opponents! Despite the fact that it was a challenging exercise to rank the teams, it was a good one. Four of the top five ranked teams won. It was a challenging Matchweek to ranks teams, but that’s football.