Pickford and Kepa errors. Kane assisting Son and vice versa. Calvert-Lewin headers. Arsenal losing away to a big six side. After the madness of gameweek 4, it was good to see the Premier League return to some semblance of normality. If last week was about people doing their best to drop in the rankings, this week was about doing your best to increase the gap between you and the chasing pack. How do we tackle this? Not taking advice from Pickford and Richarlison would be a start. How do we keep it the way it used to be? Well Jose's Spurs definitely can't help with that (It was 3-0 in the 81st minute!!!! I can't stress that enough.) 28 goals across 10 matches is definitely disappointing when you consider there were 10 goals in the first 2 games and 4 of the matches had 4 or more goals. But in the most scripted thing ever, Burnley were involved in the first goalless draw of the season (21 shots on the game, no goal). 21 shots seems a lot, but Brucey's toons somehow let United shoot 28 (TWENTY EIGHT) times at them.
There's been a lot of drop outs and comebacks this week. See for yourself.
But first a reminder of the rules
With this power ranking series, I'll be answering that question. The rules are simple.
Every player started on a level playing field so only this season's performances count
Players are grouped into 7 positions namely goalkeeper, centre back, right back, left back, centre/defensive midfielder, attacking midfield/wide forward and striker based on where they've played this season.
Players need to have played at least 50% of the minutes available to be considered for ranking. This week Chillwell and Regulion miss out for that reason.
Remember this is not a ranking of this weeks performances. That'll make for awkward reading. All performances for this season are considered.
GOALKEEPERS
Emi Martinez has continued his dominant start to the season, keeping his 3rd clean sheet in 4 games. Lloris on the other hand conceded 3 goals in less than 15 minutes late against West Ham which sees him drop. Karl Darlow might have conceded 4 against United but he kept out 14 on target of the 28 his defense allowed. Pickford slips out entirely having tried to unintentionally murder Van Djik and he was fortunate the offside flag meant his tiny arms wouldn't be the topic of Merseyside.
CENTRE BACKS
Aston Villa's impressive 3 clean sheets in 4 sees them top this too. Konsa is sneaking up on Keane too. His partnership with Mings has been near unbreachable. Van Djik was fortunate to get away with functional testicles after Pickford's challenge and will definitely fall out of the rankings in the next week. Kouyate played with a bleeding shin but it's unfortunate to drop. Aaron Cresswell! He has 3 assists so far this season as a disguised overlapping left centre back. Balbuena was not as assured defensively as he has been previously but his goal and the fact he settled into the game this week keep him up. Kurt Zouma? Why's he here? Yes, he clowned for the second goal but he showed assured flashes. But it's more because the centre backs are not covering themselves in glory so far.
RIGHT BACKS/ RIGHT WING BACKSIt pains me to say it but Lamptey is closer to losing his throne than ever before. Everyone's favourite speedy runner committed the penalty that Palace took the lead from (soft one or not). Cash was brilliant again this weekend with another clean sheet and good attacking outlet for his team. Castagne was quiet for the second week in a row seeing him fall to a Seamus Coleman that managed just over 30 minutes. Trent wasn't his usual attacking self and Reece James didn't start again.
LEFT BACK/LEFT WING BACKS
Lucas Digne will remain here for as long as DCL continues to channel his inner Ronaldo (more on that later). His cross was the source of Everton's equalizer. Speaking of sources, Robertson provided a slick assist for Mane (Ohhhh Seamus Coleman!). Targett is a member of John Terry's juju backline at Villa and has been impressive which sees him jump into 3rd. Justin and Mitchell both struggled and Baby-faced Saka is finally eligible. His performance against City merits his inclusion.
CENTRE/DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDERS
Leicester were blunt against Villa and that's left Tielemans clinging to top spot by a thread. McGinn is closing in on that spot but Phillips so far is the difference. Allan and Doucoure were not at their best against Liverpool but that's hardly an easy midfield to dominate. But the changes have been rung at the bottom. McAuthur and Rice fall out after less than convincing displays and Hourihane is simply a victim of Barkley's arrival. In comes Ndombele, Jorginho and Soucek who have all impressed so far and break into the charts.
ATTACKING MIDFIELD/WIDE FORWARDS
Disclaimer: I'm not a secret Everton fan. When they're not trying to break legs they're actually really good at football (to be fair, that's a lot more often). James was brilliant again even with more defensive duties but Salah and Son wouldn't let him run away at the top. The Kane Konnection and Egyptian training ground finish are close to claiming the mighty green row. Grealish was his phenomenal self against Leicester to whizzing past defenders with one backheel pass taking out 2. De Bruyne and Bruno are recovering from slow starts with this week's brilliant performances. Auba still hasn't scored since Gameweek 1 and he's dropped. In comes Kai Havertz. A goal and *mistake* but he's been good over the last few games and more than merits pushing William out.
STRIKERS
I can't explain what Kane has become. 9½? 10½? We're not sure but with Son he has been brutal in the final third. He's overthrown Calvert-Lewin who's leap this weekend rescued a point for Everton. Ings? Not as near to the pair above but he's looking like the Ings we saw last season, clinical and hungry (Kepa and Chelsea defensive tax might disagree). Werner is back after dropping out last week with a brace and assist. Firmino is clinging to his spot with Jiminez neck and neck just missing out.
For freelance football articles contact me at footballscribblers@gmail.com or on Twitter @footyscribblers
Comments
Post a Comment