Premier League reports – we grade your team’s form up to the winter break
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As we head into the World Cup, a third of the Premier League season, club play is on pause, so it’s time to review the early part of the campaign.
Few would have predicted the table as it stands today, with Arsenal so commandingly ahead and Wolves floundering at the foot of the table.
So, with a moment to catch your breath after a hectic start to the season, Sportsmail has assessed each club’s performance.
Mikel Arteta’s Gunners have shown an unprecedented level of consistency to top the Premier League table
ARSENAL
Position: 1st Points: 37
Even Edu, the technical director who predicted a few years ago that this would be the season where Arsenal would shift into gear, didn’t think they’d be five points ahead by Christmas, did they? Credit to Mikel Arteta’s side for displaying such sustained brilliance and determination throughout this punishing programme. A remarkable improvement.
Quality: A+
ASTON VILLA
Position: 12th points: 18
It came as no surprise that the gritty work of the Steven Gerrard era came to an end when Unai Emery was appointed by co-owner Nassef Sawiris to replace the sacked former England captain. Villa believes Emery will bring European football, but his first task is to keep them away from relegation troubles.
Grade: C-
BOURNEMOUTH
Position: 14th points: 16
Caretaker Gary O’Neil has managed to steer Bournemouth out of the relegation zone
Considering Scott Parker was sacked after all his complaints and a 9-0 loss to Liverpool, Bournemouth have done well to sit as high as they are now. Caretaker Gary O’Neil deserves credit for that. Marcelo Bielsa next? Could be.
Grade B
BRENTFORD
Position: 10th points: 19
A victory at Manchester City was another – perhaps the biggest? – step forward in Brentford’s remarkable rise under Thomas Frank. What a way to kick off winter break. The results are mixed, which is to be expected, but Brentford is in the top half. Could they ask for much more?
class A-
BRIGHTON
Position: 7th points: 21
Brighton has gone from strength to strength despite the loss of influential boss Graham Potter
After the loss of Graham Potter and the shaky start to Roberto De Zerbi’s reign, Brighton have done well to stabilize themselves and go into the break seventh and in the Carabao Cup last 16. They look able to continue to build on Potter’s work under De Zerbi and improve on last season’s best ninth-place finish ever.
Grade: B+
CHELSEA
Position: 8th points: 21
The uncertainty off the field has now spilled over to the field. Turmoil after a management change and injuries haven’t helped, but beyond Champions League qualification there aren’t enough signs of where they are going yet and after their spending there will be a shortage of sympathy. Graham Potter needs time, but results help earn that too.
Grade: D
Graham Potter will need his Chelsea side to improve if he is to stay for the long haul
CRYSTAL PALACE
Position: 11th points: 19
Didn’t quite follow through as many predicted they would under Patrick Vieira’s promising first season. But 19 points from their opening 14 games is a decent return for a club whose early-season mission is always as simple as staying in the top flight.
Rank: C
EVERTON
Position: 17th points: 14
All the encouragement gained from seven unbeaten games in September has vanished after a miserable run of defeats. Frank Lampard is firmly in the line of fire, but Everton’s fortunes are in jeopardy as he lacks a striker who can score goals. That problem should be addressed in January.
Grade: D
FULHAM
Position: 9th points: 19
Aleksandar Mitrovic’s goalscoring form has propelled Fulham into the top half
The summer has been awash in rumors of tensions between manager Marco Silva and the board over the club’s transfer matters, but there are no signs of disagreement on the pitch. The Cottagers have made an impressive return to the Premier League and have put themselves in a strong position to maintain their top flight status.
Grade B-
LEEDS
Position: 15th points: 15
After a memorable 3-0 win over Chelsea in August, Jesse Marsch looked close to sacking last month after Leeds went eight games without a win. The American was saved by a famous victory at Anfield, but the jury is still out on the fans and their season could still go either way.
Rank: C
LEICESTER
Position: 13th points: 17
Brendan Rodgers has managed to pull his Leicester side out of their early season slump
One point from their first seven games and 22 goals conceded turned fans against Brendan Rodgers. But the club’s owners continued to have confidence in the manager and there has been a strong recovery in recent weeks, as Leicester beat Nottingham Forest, Wolves, Leeds, Everton and West Ham to draw with Crystal Palace.
Rank: C
LIVERPOOL
Position: 6th points: 22
The last two results have changed the landscape for the better, but there is still a lot of room for improvement. There were times early in the season when Jürgen Klopp’s side looked unrecognizable, but he expects it to be a different proposition when the competition resumes. They have the potential to win many matches.
Rank: C
MAN CITY
Position: 2nd points: 32
Erling Haaland has taken the Premier League by storm with his remarkable eye for goals
City usually drop a good number of points in the first third of a season, but the defeat to Brentford means they have some catching up to do with Arsenal. They were very strong in August, with performances generally about equal apart from the demolition of Manchester United since then. Work to do after Christmas.
Grade B
MAN UTD
Position: 5th points: 26
Erik ten Hag inherited a difficult situation at Old Trafford, but United have supported him by spending big money on new players. After a terrible start, the Dutchman will be happy to enter the World Cup break in fifth and on a high after yesterday’s late victory over Fulham.
Grade B-
NEWCASTLE
Position: 3rd points: 30
Eddie Howe’s appointment has sparked a revolution on the pitch at St James’ Park
The only thing stopping them from being awarded an A+ is that there is still room for improvement and that is a scary thought for the rest of the division as they are already third after five straight wins. Simply put, they were excellent and to date Eddie Howe should be the runaway manager of the season.
Class A
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Position: 18th points: 13
A penny for Steve Cooper’s thoughts. With 23 new players signed following promotion, Cooper went from the brink of sacking to a new three-year deal in a few crazy days in October. Aside from the 5-0 thrashing at Arsenal, Forest are more durable since Cooper’s new deal and they now have a fighting chance.
Grade: C-
SOUTH HAMPTON
Position: 19th points: 12
Southampton must improve to avoid the setback after a poor start to the season
Mostly poor results cost boss Ralph Hasenhuttl his job, leaving new manager Nathan Jones to take the reins. Unsurprisingly things are up and down with young players and the failure to buy a reliable striker has cost them dearly. Priority for the rest of the season is to make sure they don’t go down.
Grade: D
TOTTENHAM
Position: 4th points: 29
Fourth in the Premier League, three points better than last season and still in the Champions League, despite being far from fluid and vulnerable at the back. But out of the Carabao Cup and maybe not the level of progress they expected after recruiting in the summer.
Grade B
WEST HAM
Position: 16th points: 14
West Ham have so far failed to continue last season’s domestic successes
Have endured a bad season in your own country. Saturday’s loss to Leicester was the latest disappointment in a season that relies on Europe to make it a memorable one. Going well in the Europa Conference League, but their league campaign falters.
Grade: D
WOLVES
Position: 20th points: 10
For the club’s Chinese owners, it’s Julen Lopetegui or bust. Wolves eventually hired the Spaniard on the third call and while his pedigree is strong Lopetegui should get off to a flying start with the club at the bottom of the table at Christmas. If everything clicks, wolves can get out of trouble, but it will be difficult.
Rank: D-