We’re 10 games into the 2018/19 Premier League season. Three teams are unbeaten, two are yet to win a game, while others are defying – or exceeding – expectations.
That’s the way it so often goes in the English top-flight, which arguably remains the most unpredictable of the top five European leagues.
With ten games gone, it’s time to start evaluating the starts made by all 20 Premier League teams. We’ve had a look at each side and assigned them all a grade from A to F.
Man City (1st): A
Matching last season’s record-breaking points tally looked like mission impossible at the beginning of the current campaign, but is it really possible to rule out Manchester City becoming centurions once again? There’s an argument to be made that they’ve actually improved since last term, dropping only four points so far. The only thing worrying them will be the increased competition from their title-challenging rivals.
Highlight? They’ve already hit five-plus goals in three matches, but Monday’s 1-0 victory at Tottenham and the goalless draw with Liverpool showcased Man City’s defensive stability.
Lowlight? Riyad Mahrez’s wayward penalty against Liverpool was a missed opportunity for Pep Guardiola’s to win debatably their most difficult match of the season.
Liverpool (2nd): A
Liverpool were expected to be Manchester City’s main title rivals this season and they have already proved their credentials in that regard. Their four dropped points have come against the champions and Chelsea as they’ve swept every other team aside with relative ease. That said, there is a feeling Liverpool haven’t fully hit their stride yet. Whether that bodes well for the future or it’s a concern remains to be seen.
Surprise package? Xherdan Shaqiri has proved to be a astute piece of business and is gradually becoming more than just a squad player, as demonstrated by his impact from the bench against Cardiff City.
Biggest disappointment? Mohamed Salah’s start to the season was worrying but the Egyptian has been back among the goals in Liverpool’s last two games.
Chelsea (3rd): A
The form of Eden Hazard combined with the addition strength in depth – particularly in central midfield – added over the summer has transformed Chelsea from the top four challengers they were labelled as in pre-season to potential title winners. Home draws against Liverpool and Manchester United perhaps should have been victories, but 24 points from 10 games is beyond the Blues’ initial expectations.
Surprise package? The arrivals of Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic might have made Ross Barkley’s task of breaking into the team even harder, but the former Everton midfielder has been superb in recent weeks.
Lowlight: The drab goalless draw at West Ham.
Arsenal (4th): B
After losing losing their opening two games against Manchester City and Chelsea, came to life with seven successive victories, including convincing wins over Fulham and Leicester City. That run was followed by a draw with Crystal Palace, which maybe felt more disappointing than it was because of the form Unai Emery’s men had been in.
Highlight? The combination play between the likes of Mesut Ozil, Hector Bellerin, Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the home victory against Leicester was simply breathtaking.
Lowlight? Coming back to 2-2 at Chelsea only to concede late on was painful.
Tottenham (5th): C+
Spurs have made their best ever Premier League start, but something isn’t quite clicking. Having made no summer signings, Mauricio Pochettino has struggled to maintain the fitness of his squad. An inordinate number of injuries hasn’t helped matters; the Londoners have been without key men against Liverpool and Man City, suffering costly defeats in both games. Still, they’ve won seven of their 10 matches, which isn’t bad at all.
Highlight? Tottenham’s second half performance against Man United at Old Trafford was by far their best display of the season so far.
Biggest disappointment? Mousa Dembele’s legs are just about gone. At least it means Harry Winks will be given more minutes.
Bournemouth (6th): A
Eddie Howe’s side have been excellent so far, winning six of their 10 games and losing only twice. They’ve beaten the likes of Watford and Fulham convincingly on their way to collecting 20 points, setting the groundwork to comfortably survive by the end of the season.
Surprise package: Summer signing David Brooks settled into Premier League life incredibly quickly while Ryan Fraser has been in top form.
Lowlight: The 4-0 defeat at Burnley was strangely uncharacteristic of Bournemouth’s start to the campaign.
Watford (7th): A-
Before Bournemouth overtook them, Watford were undeniably the Premier League’s surprise package. Such a start means there is almost no chance the Hornets will be dragged into a relegation battle further down the line. In fact, they will be eyeing a top seven finish.
Highlight: Coming back from a goal down to beat Tottenham at Vicarage Road will be remembered for some time.
Lowlight: Losing 4-0 at home to Bournemouth was certainly a shock.
Man United (8th): D
Talk of Jose Mourinho receiving his marching orders has intensified on two occasions already this season. Surprise defeats to Brighton and West Ham have piled the pressure on the Portuguese, who has looked close to breaking point at times. Mourinho will know eighth place is nowhere near acceptable and he tries to save Man United’s season with a top four finish, but even that looks a stretch right now.
Surprise package? Luke Shaw’s impressive performance have put him back in Mourinho’ good books and seen him return to the England picture.
Biggest disappointment? A winning goal against Newcastle aside, Alexis Sanchez has failed to replicate his best Arsenal form in any way.
Everton (9th): C
With Marco Silva at the helm, Everton are attempting to consolidate their title as the ‘best of the rest’ this year. A seventh place finish with do that, and the Toffees’ start has indicated their target is attainable if they remain consistent. Not all of the new signings have been fully bedded in yet but Richarlison has shown flashes of brilliance.
Highlight? Gylfi Sigurdsson’s stunning winner at Leicester proved Everton have a little bit more quality than most of their mid-table rivals.
Lowlight? Losing 3-1 at home to West Ham means there is still plenty of room for improvement.
Wolves (10th): B+
After failing to win in August, Wolves’ pre-season optimism had mostly dissipated. But they soon began to prove why they were looking up the table rather than down. A run of four wins in five games – the exception being a draw at Old Trafford – saw Wolves rocket up the table. Back-to-back defeats have seen them drop a little, but it’s still a fine start for a newly-promoted team.
Highlight? Holding both Manchester clubs to draws will do wonders for Wolves’ confidence.
Lowlight? Losing at home to Watford came as a shock after four wins in five.
Brighton (11th): C+
Brighton failed to build on their 3-2 home victory against Manchester United on the second weekend of the season, going on a run of six games without a win after beating Mourinho’s men. But just as many began to identify the Seagulls as relegation favourites, Brighton won three Premier League games in a row for the first time, a run of form that has put them in a healthy position after 10 matches.
Surprise package? Glenn Murray is showing no signs of slowing down. The 35-year-old has scored six league goals this term, averaging a strike every 125 minutes.
Lowlight? Coming incredibly close to a comeback against Tottenham was frustrating to say the least.
Leicester (12th): C-
Leicester have lost exactly half of their games, and three of their four wins have come against sides below them in the form of Southampton, Huddersfield and Newcastle. It’s safe to sat the Foxes are difficult to read. They will be hoping for a top half finish but could end up close to the relegation places if they don’t turn their defeats into draws.
Surprise package: Nobody expected James Maddison to settle in the Premier League – and earn a senior England call-up – as quickly as this.
Biggest disappointment: Even with Harry Maguire at the back, some of Leicester’s defending has left a lot to be desired, particularly in the 4-2 defeat at Bournemouth.
13. West Ham (13th): D
After losing their first four league matches, the signs didn’t look for West Ham. However, they quickly recovered with impressive wins against Man United and Everton, and a draw at home with Chelsea. That recovery has stalled a little following losses to Tottenham and Brighton, making the Hammers’ start mixed to poor.
Highlight? Manuel Pellegrini’s side, particularly Marko Arnautovic, tore Man United apart at the London Stadium.
Lowlight? The fourth straight defeat at the beginning of the campaign signalled a season of upheaval.
Crystal Palace (14th): D
Palace’s 2-0 win at Fulham on the opening weekend ensured the Eagles had collected more points in one match this term than they managed in the opening seven matches of last season. The issue is they’ve only won once since then, although Sunday’s draw with Arsenal will give them some hope.
Highlight? Wilfried Zaha’s excellent strike at Huddersfield exemplified his match-winning ability.
Biggest disappointment? Christian Benteke is showing no signs of returning to his once heralded form.
Burnley (15th): E
Burnley began like a train last season and managed to secure a seventh place finish thanks in no small start to their brilliant start. This term, they will relying on an improved middle or end to the campaign if they are to push for a top half finish. Their defensive stability appears to have disappeared and they’ve scored one goal in their last three games.
Highlight? The 4-0 thrashing of Bournemouth at Turf Moor will probably not be improved upon by Sean Dyche’s side this season.
Biggest disappointment? Burnley usually make things difficult for the top sides but they’ve just been thrashed by Man City and Chelsea.
Southampton (16th): E
As has been the case in each of the last three seasons, Southampton’s major problem has been putting the goal in the net. They’ve scored six goals so far this term – only Huddersfield (4) have scored fewer (Newcastle also 6). One win in ten is far from ideal; the Saints could easily be dragged into a relegation battle if they carry on at this rate.
Surprise package? Danny Ings has scored half of Southampton’s six goals since arriving from Liverpool, so at least that’s something.
Lowlight? Southampton threw away a 2-0 home lead against Brighton in mid-September to draw 2-2. They haven’t scored since.
Cardiff (17th): E
Neil Warnock’s men finally picked up their first league win of the season by beating Fulham 4-2. It had been coming, but the Bluebirds are still set for a difficult campaign. A lack of real quality in the squad has harmed them so far and will probably continue to do so.
Highlight? There was huge relief at the Cardiff City Stadium when Kadeem Harris bagged the fourth goal.
Lowlight? The home defeat to Burnley was Cardiff’s worst result so far.
Fulham (18th): E-
Fulham have conceded 28 goals in their opening 10 matches, a joint Premier League record. It’s a shame because they have shown glimpses of the impressive attacking play that saw them achieve promotion to the top-flight last season. But if they don’t improve at the back it could be a long season for the Cottagers.
Highlight? Beating Burnley 4-2 at Craven Cottage was indicative of Fulham’s potential to entertain.
Biggest disappointment? Centre-backs Calum Chambers and Tim Ream have looked extremely ropey.
Newcastle (19th): F
Yet another summer of discontent at Newcastle saw a lack of neccessary recruits come through the door. The disharmony between the fans and ownership has been reflected in the results. Newcastle are one of only two sides yet to win and a victory doesn’t feel forthcoming.
Highlight? Their first half display at Old Trafford deserved much, much more than a painful defeat.
Lowlight? Home defeats to Leicester and Brighton, the sort of games the Magpies must be winning.
Huddersfield (20th): F
After narrowly escaping relegation last season, Huddersfield look set for another year with their heads just above water. The problem is they are currently full submerged. Having only scored four goals, the Terriers must be favourites to go down. Another miracle might be needed if they are to retain their Premier League status:
Highlight? The level of performance against Tottenham and Liverpool at home was good, but goals are needed.
Lowlight? Losing at home to Palace, and results of that ilk, will get Huddersfield nowhere.
The post Grading every single Premier League team based on their start to the season appeared first on Squawka News.
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