As every commentator likes to remind us, football is a game of two halves.
Some teams start strongly but tire out too soon and allow opponents back into the game, while others start sluggishly before growing into contests to rescue a draw or even win.
Already this season in the Premier League a lot has been made of Arsenal’s second-half abilities in their nine-game unbeaten run which has seen them look comfortable in fifth during Unai Emery’s debut campaign in charge of the club.
But what if the Premier League matches ended at half-time this season? Where would the Gunners, and the other 19 teams, currently be?
Read on to find out (complete tables at the bottom)…
20. Huddersfield Town (- 2)
Wins: 1 Draws: 3 Losses: 7 Points: 6
Finally victorious in the Premier League, Huddersfield also led for the first time at half-time against Fulham but it doesn’t stop them being bottom of this particular league.
19. Cardiff City ( = )
Wins: 0 Draws: 6 Losses: 5 Points: 6
Cardiff have won once in the Premier League this season but they had to wait until after half-time to get the advantage over Fulham, going into the break during that match 2-2.
18. Wolverhampton Wanderers (- 7)
Wins: 0 Draws: 7 Losses: 4 Points: 7
Wolves have been an exciting prospect following their promotion from the Championship and are currently 11th in the Premier League. But this has largely been down to their second-half performances as Nuno Espirito Santo’s men are yet to take a lead into half-time, drawing seven times at the break.
17. Southampton (- 1)
Wins: 1 Draws: 6 Losses: 4 Points: 9
If Premier League games finished at half-time this season, Southampton would be one place lower but two points better off. Saints have been leading once at half-time but only behind on four occasions, with six stalemates.
16. Fulham (+ 4)
Wins: 2 Draws: 3 Losses: 6 Points: 9
Fulham are a prime example of a team starting stronger than they finish, winning twice at half-time but only carrying over one victory to full-time, dropping points to Brighton.
15. Arsenal (- 10)
Wins: 0 Draws: 9 Losses: 2 Points: 9
The biggest example of slow starters, fifth-placed Arsenal are yet to be leading at half-time, drawing on nine occasions. But they have overturned the poor starts to seven wins and two draws all coming in their past nine games.
14. Newcastle United (+ 3)
Wins: 1 Draws: 7 Losses: 3 Points: 10
Newcastle got their first win of the season against Watford at the weekend but this came with the game tied at half-time. The only time the Magpies were leading at half-time came against Manchester United, but they would give up a 2-0 advantage to ultimately lose.
13. Leicester City (- 3)
Wins: 2 Draws: 5 Losses: 4 Points: 11
Former Premier League champions Leicester have not done too badly this season but it is partially down to better second halves with the Foxes only leading twice at half-time.
12. Burnley (+ 3)
Wins: 2 Draws: 5 Losses: 4 Points: 11
Burnley have been poor after such a bright season last year but were games to finish at half-time they would be slightly better off. Despite winning the same amount of games, the big difference for the Clarets is the five draws and four losses at half-time compared to seven defeats in the full 90 minutes.
11. Everton (- 3)
Wins: 1 Draws: 8 Losses: 2 Points: 11
Everton have won five games so far this season but only once have the Toffees led at half-time. Like Arsenal, Marco Silva’s men have seen a high number of half-time stalemates with eight.
10. Brighton & Hove Albion (+ 2)
Wins: 3 Draws: 3 Losses: 5 Points: 12
In a slight opposite to Southampton, if games finished at half-time Brighton would have two fewer points but be two places better off in the Premier League.
9. Crystal Palace (+ 5)
Wins: 3 Draws: 5 Losses: 3 Points: 14
Crystal Palace may be wishing more games ended at half-time. They would be significantly higher up the Premier League. The Eagles would have six more points than they currently do, win an extra half-time lead.
8. West Ham United (+ 5)
Wins: 4 Draws: 4 Losses: 3 Points: 16
West Ham’s problem this season has been poor second halves. They’d be sitting comfortably were games to finish at half-time, with four wins and four draws.
7. Manchester United ( = )
Wins: 5 Draws: 2 Losses: 4 Points: 17
Jose Mourinho’s United side have been unimpressive so far and it is largely the same when going in at half-time. Behind on four occasions, it is worth pointing out the Red Devils have overturned two of those half-time losses to earn four points.
6. Watford (+ 2)
Wins: 4 Draws: 5 Losses: 2 Points: 17
Watford’s good start to the season, which includes a win over Tottenham Hotspur, comes in part due to impressive first halves. The Hornets have been leading on four occasions and drawing five times.
5. Bournemouth (+ 1)
Wins: 5 Draws: 4 Losses: 2 Points: 19
Bournemouth have had an impressive start to the new season and it has been, partially, down to strong starts. Eddie Howe’s side have only been losing twice at half-time while winning five.
4. Tottenham Hotspur ( = )
Wins: 7 Draws: 2 Losses: 2 Points: 23
Tottenham are the only Premier League team yet to draw this season but this would not be the case if games ended at half-time. On two occasions Spurs have gone in at half-time level, going on to win one and lose one of those games.
3. Chelsea (- 1)
Wins: 7 Draws: 4 Losses: 0 Points: 25
Flying high under Maurizio Sarri, Chelsea (10) have scored more goals in the final 15 minutes of the Premier League than any other side. But despite this, the Blues still fly high at half-time and are yet to go into the break behind.
2. Liverpool (+ 1)
Wins: 8 Draws: 2 Losses: 1 Points: 26
If games ended at half-time in the Premier League this season, Liverpool would be one place higher than is currently the case – but their unbeaten run would not be intact. The Reds had to overcome a 1-0 half-time deficit to earn a point against Chelsea in September.
1. Manchester City ( = )
Wins: 8 Draws: 3 Losses: 0 Points: 27
Formidable for 90 minutes and formidable at half-time, Manchester City would still lead the way it Premier League matches ended after one half. Pep Guardiola’s men would have two fewer points, however, with one more draw at half-time.
The current Premier League table…
How the Premier League table would look if only the first half counted…
The post How the Premier League table would look if matches lasted only one half appeared first on Squawka News.
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