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Premier League Matchday Three: Ranking All 20 Teams’ Performances

The third weekend of the Premier League saw a mix of comebacks, draws, and strong performances across all clubs. Manchester United, Arsenal, and Liverpool each faced very different challenges and outcomes.

Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard confidently stated that "all of the teams are good" this season. Yet, this is the first time in 138 years of English top-flight football that three clubs remain goalless after three matches, with two teams still without any points.

Despite record spending, nearly every team still wanted more from the transfer window. Compared to other European leagues, the Premier League teams have financial advantages, but none are flawless. That makes each round unpredictable and engaging.

These teams are far from perfect machines; some showed more promise than others this weekend.

How We Ranked the Teams

  • Performance: Judged on how well teams played, not just the final result. Focusing on the balance of play beyond scores.
  • Expectations: Upsets and surprising displays earned extra credit.
  • Venue: Away results got a slight boost given the advantage of home crowds.

Team Rankings

  • 20. Ipswich (0–2 Loss vs. Liverpool): Ipswich struggled to challenge Liverpool, failing to test their defense effectively. Manager Gary O’Neil was unhappy to talk about positives without points.
  • 19. Aston Villa (0–0 Draw vs. Hull): Villa’s lackluster performance raised eyebrows, especially as coach Unai Emery claimed the match went according to plan despite no shots on target.
  • 18. Chelsea (1–2 Loss vs. Arsenal): Chelsea started strong with an early goal but faltered as Arsenal took control. They struggled to create chances despite nearly half the possession.
  • 17. Hull (0–0 Draw vs. Aston Villa): Hull impressed with solid defense, frustrating Villa’s European-chasing side and earning praise from their manager joking about Champions League hopes.
  • 16. Tottenham (0–0 Draw vs. Nottingham Forest): Spurs remain stuck in mediocrity, unable to create dangerous opportunities, fitting a long-standing stereotype of being neither terrible nor great.
  • 15. Coventry (0–1 Loss vs. Man City): Coventry limited a powerful Man City attack to few shots on target but couldn’t capitalize offensively themselves.
  • 14. Crystal Palace (3–2 Win vs. Fulham): Palace managed their first win despite being outplayed territorially. Goalkeeper Dean Henderson and luck helped them survive a chaotic match.
  • 13. Fulham (2–3 Loss vs. Crystal Palace): Fulham showed promise but left themselves vulnerable with an aggressive press, leading to defensive issues and ultimately defeat.
  • 12. Brighton (1–1 Draw vs. Leeds): Brighton equalized late after a sluggish start, needing a second-half wake-up call from Luka Vušković’s goal.
  • 11. Nottingham Forest (0–0 Draw vs. Tottenham): Forest’s disallowed goal caused controversy, but their inability to break down a weak Tottenham side raised internal questions.
  • 10. Brentford (1–1 Draw vs. Sunderland): After a slow start, substitutions sparked Brentford into action, allowing them to salvage a point.
  • 9. Leeds (1–1 Draw vs. Brighton): Dominant in the first half but overwhelmed after halftime, Leeds settled for a draw, which pleased coach Daniel Farke.
  • 8. Sunderland (1–1 Draw vs. Brentford): Enzo Le Fée redeemed a previous penalty miss by scoring a crucial equalizer against the same goalkeeper and opponent.
  • 7. Manchester United (2–2 Draw vs. Everton): United’s weak first half led to a frantic finish where they failed to handle Everton’s set pieces threat, dropping valuable points.
  • 6. Bournemouth (2–2 Draw vs. Newcastle): Bournemouth took an early lead but let it slip late, with coach Marco Rose calling for his team to confront their recurring problems head-on.
  • 5. Everton (2–2 Draw vs. Manchester United): Everton deserved their point, outshooting United and creating more quality chances, capped by Ainsley Maitland-Niles’ stunning late goal.
  • 4. Newcastle (2–2 Draw vs. Bournemouth): Newcastle’s defense was described as slapstick by their coach Matthias Jaissle, highlighting their vulnerability despite a fighting performance.
  • 3. Manchester City (1–0 Win vs. Coventry): City won a tight match through Erling Haaland’s header, breaking down Coventry’s stubborn defense with patience.
  • 2. Liverpool (2–0 Win vs. Ipswich): Liverpool finally looked composed, with Alexander Isak scoring twice and Virgil van Dijk commanding defense, showing progress toward their desired style.
  • 1. Arsenal (2–1 Win vs. Chelsea): Arsenal’s victory over Chelsea was a clear statement. After conceding early, they dominated the rest of the match, limiting Chelsea to minimal chances and securing a vital win.

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