Premier League Ponderings: Sizing up the Premier League a third of the way in
Eleven matches have been played
in the Premier League to date,
which means the opening third of
the season has come to a close and
the table has begun taking shape.
Clubs have now had time to settle,
new players have gelled, and managers
have been able to sort out
their best elevens going forward.
As with any other season, there are plenty of interesting stories coming out of the league, some of them that fit the usual narrative, and others that not even the most astute of pundits could have predicted.
Beginning with the scoring charts, nobody would have predicted that the top three positions would be held by a striker from a newly promoted side, and a duo at one many tipped to struggle. Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy, riding a wave of eight consecutive games with a goal, has surged to the top of the charts with 11 goals. The 28-yearold striker has only one full topflight season to his name, yet has more than doubled his previous tally of five goals in 36 appearances.
Behind him with seven goals is a tie between Watford’s Odion Ighalo, and Vardy’s teammate Riyad Mahrez. Ighalo’s goals have included crucial match-winners, helping his club to a comfortable mid-table position so far. Mahrez’s goals, along with six assists, combined with Vardy’s see Leicester City sitting in an unbelievable third place, a position beyond any of their supporters’ wildest predictions.
The biggest story coming out of the season is the decline of defending Champions Chelsea, who despite most thinking their rough start was just a blip, find themselves closer to relegation than the top four positions. Despite their star-studded squad and the usually consistent management of Jose Mourinho, the club have only won three matches to date. Their most recent match was a new low point, a home loss to Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool despite going a goal ahead in the fourth minute.
The bad form seems to be putting real pressure on the manager, as he has delivered a series of bizarre interviews, including daring the Football Association to fine him after knowingly breaking media protocol, and then continuing to cite a conspiracy against him and his club as the source of bad results. His continued outbursts have seen him collect nearly $200,000 in fines and a stadium ban, all while attempting to turn around the form of his players.
As it stands, a mere four points separate 11th from fourth, and any of the clubs in that mix will fancy their chances at maintaining, or improving on those positions and qualifying for European competition next season.
Another highlight worthy statistic this year is the sheer amount of hat tricks being scored, with Arouna Koné’s effort on the weekend against Sunderland the eighth already, the same amount as the 2013/13 season and just two short of last season’s total, with 27 rounds still to play.
This Premier League season has been a treat already, with plenty of drama on and off the field to keep even the most skeptical fan entertained. As the season moves forward there are plenty of questions to be answered, and a few more that are sure to be raised.
As with any other season, there are plenty of interesting stories coming out of the league, some of them that fit the usual narrative, and others that not even the most astute of pundits could have predicted.
Beginning with the scoring charts, nobody would have predicted that the top three positions would be held by a striker from a newly promoted side, and a duo at one many tipped to struggle. Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy, riding a wave of eight consecutive games with a goal, has surged to the top of the charts with 11 goals. The 28-yearold striker has only one full topflight season to his name, yet has more than doubled his previous tally of five goals in 36 appearances.
Behind him with seven goals is a tie between Watford’s Odion Ighalo, and Vardy’s teammate Riyad Mahrez. Ighalo’s goals have included crucial match-winners, helping his club to a comfortable mid-table position so far. Mahrez’s goals, along with six assists, combined with Vardy’s see Leicester City sitting in an unbelievable third place, a position beyond any of their supporters’ wildest predictions.
The biggest story coming out of the season is the decline of defending Champions Chelsea, who despite most thinking their rough start was just a blip, find themselves closer to relegation than the top four positions. Despite their star-studded squad and the usually consistent management of Jose Mourinho, the club have only won three matches to date. Their most recent match was a new low point, a home loss to Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool despite going a goal ahead in the fourth minute.
The bad form seems to be putting real pressure on the manager, as he has delivered a series of bizarre interviews, including daring the Football Association to fine him after knowingly breaking media protocol, and then continuing to cite a conspiracy against him and his club as the source of bad results. His continued outbursts have seen him collect nearly $200,000 in fines and a stadium ban, all while attempting to turn around the form of his players.
As it stands, a mere four points separate 11th from fourth, and any of the clubs in that mix will fancy their chances at maintaining, or improving on those positions and qualifying for European competition next season.
Another highlight worthy statistic this year is the sheer amount of hat tricks being scored, with Arouna Koné’s effort on the weekend against Sunderland the eighth already, the same amount as the 2013/13 season and just two short of last season’s total, with 27 rounds still to play.
This Premier League season has been a treat already, with plenty of drama on and off the field to keep even the most skeptical fan entertained. As the season moves forward there are plenty of questions to be answered, and a few more that are sure to be raised.
