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Premier League Matchday One: Ranking Every Team's Performance

The Premier League kicked off with a mix of triumphs and struggles, especially among the usual top contenders. The league’s chief executive, Richard Masters, was confident before the season began that fans would witness an exciting competition. The first round of matches certainly delivered drama, surprises, and plenty to talk about.

How We Ranked the Teams

  • Performance: Judging how well teams played based on game flow, rather than just final scores.
  • Expectations: Teams that exceeded predictions earned higher marks.
  • Venue: Away results were given a slight edge, reflecting the challenge of playing without home support.

Team Rankings

  • 20. Aston Villa (0-4 Loss vs. Brighton) – Manager Unai Emery admitted losing emotional balance early on. The shock defeat was worsened by Emery’s cryptic refusal to explain why key striker Ollie Watkins was left out.
  • 19. Tottenham Hotspur (0-3 Loss vs. Brentford) – Despite heavy investment, Spurs stumbled badly in what felt like a performance from their short-lived interim manager, not new coach Roberto De Zerbi.
  • 18. Manchester United (0-2 Loss vs. Hull City) – Michael Carrick struggled to maintain calm after a humbling defeat to newly promoted Hull, with glaring weaknesses on attack and defending set pieces.
  • 17. Coventry City (0-3 Loss vs. Arsenal) – The gap between Championship and Premier League was clear as Coventry barely challenged the champions.
  • 16. Sunderland (1-2 Loss vs. Ipswich Town) – Though they held Ipswich for much of the game, Sunderland were mostly second best, save for a brilliant free kick from Nilson Angulo.
  • 15. Nottingham Forest (0-1 Loss vs. Leeds United) – New boss Oliver Glasner described the loss as a process, highlighting the long road to improvement at the City Ground.
  • 14. Crystal Palace (0-2 Loss vs. Everton) – Off-field distractions affected Palace, including transfer uncertainty and contract disputes, leading to a wasteful outing against Everton.
  • 13. Fulham (2-3 Loss vs. Chelsea) – Álvaro Arbeloa’s debut saw moments of promise, including a debut goal from Gonzalo García, but it wasn’t enough against Xabi Alonso’s side.
  • 12. Liverpool (2-2 Draw vs. Newcastle United) – Dominating many stats yet trailing for much of the match, Liverpool’s midfield lacked discipline under new coach Andoni Iraola’s tactics.
  • 11. Bournemouth (1-2 Loss vs. Manchester City) – Marco Rose’s team showed fight, leading late before a collapse, offering positives despite the defeat.
  • 10. Chelsea (3-2 Win vs. Fulham) – A thrilling debut for Xabi Alonso featured dazzling attacking play but shaky defending, with Robert Sánchez standing out for the wrong reasons.
  • 9. Everton (2-0 Win vs. Crystal Palace) – Clinical finishing from Thierno Barry helped Everton secure a deserved victory, though luck played a role early on.
  • 8. Leeds United (1-0 Win vs. Nottingham Forest) – Daniel Farke celebrated a historic win at the City Ground, the first since Don Revie’s era, hinting at bigger ambitions.
  • 7. Newcastle United (2-2 Draw vs. Liverpool) – A last-minute penalty conceded denied Newcastle a win, but their aggressive counterattacking impressed against a strong Liverpool side.
  • 6. Manchester City (2-1 Win vs. Bournemouth) – Enzo Maresca’s defensive setup looked vulnerable, and Erling Haaland struggled to score, but a late goal sealed the win.
  • 5. Ipswich Town (2-1 Win vs. Sunderland) – After a poor return two years ago, Ipswich made a confident start under Gary O’Neil with a deserved home victory.
  • 4. Arsenal (3-0 Win vs. Coventry City) – The reigning champions cruised comfortably, easing the nerves from last season’s tense finale with a smooth performance.
  • 3. Brighton & Hove Albion (4-0 Win vs. Aston Villa) – Brighton displayed ruthless efficiency, scoring four goals by halftime and dominating the match despite early pressure.
  • 2. Brentford (3-0 Win vs. Tottenham Hotspur) – Keith Andrews’ side pressed relentlessly, stifling Spurs completely and winning with authority.
  • 1. Hull City (2-0 Win vs. Manchester United) – Sergej Jakirović’s tactical planning exploited United’s weakness perfectly, earning a landmark victory.

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