Continuing on from my last article here are the next five sides currently occupying the positions 6-10 on the Premier League table.
(This was initially written before last weekend’s fixtures. Following articles will take the latest round into account.)
So after seven games, how have they travelled so far?
Tottenham Hotspur
A slow start steadily overturned. Ending another Premier League season behind their deadly rivals, Arsenal, and Manuel Pochettino had it all to prove that Tottenham could finally justify their lavish spending.
Some tidy summer acquisitions, especially the timely arrival of Toby Alderweireld, and an important clean out of deadwood, hinted towards a positive campaign, especially with Harry Kane restating his loyalty to the club.
Unfortunately, Spurs started another season slowly – very slowly. A lacklustre defeat at Old Trafford was followed by two draws, courtesy of late levellers from both Stoke and Leicester. A 0-0 draw against Everton certainly didn’t help matters as it appeared that Pochettino was walking on the sort of thin ice acutely reserved Tottenham gaffers.
Even Harry Kane, the star man of 2014-15, was out of form and unable to inspire his side.
Into September though and after returning from international duties Tottenham received the boost they required in travelling to the perennial whipping-boys, Sunderland. A scratchy 1-0 win was the kick-start that was necessary, and after backing this up with Son Heung-min’s maiden Premier League strike, Spurs were back on track.
The return to form allowed them to meet Man City at the perfect moment, as they disposed of them with ease – Harry Kane getting himself on the scoresheet to gloss a 4-1 victory. Regarding this, the fans at White Hart Lane can expect a positive season with a top four place there for the taking.
Crystal Palace
A lack of consistent results has not harmed Palace’s fortunes this season as they demonstrate that they’re certainly not a side to be taken lightly. Two excellent seasons consolidating their place back in the Premier League already highlighted this, but with the massive signing of the wonderful Yohan Cabaye, Alan Pardew was beginning to flex his muscles.
Built on the foundations of a solid defence – woven with a fluid attack – Palace began their campaign with an impressive 3-1 away win over Norwich before hosting Arsenal. Unfortunately they couldn’t hold on for a draw but were able to bounce back with two hard-fought victories over Aston Villa and Chelsea.
In September their games didn’t get any easier, with consecutive 1-0 losses to Man City and Tottenham denting their momentum. However, the Eagles managed to impressively return to form with a tough win away over Watford. Playing four of last season’s top five in their opening seven games has certainly been difficult, but Pardew can take a lot of heart from the performances so far and they should be around the same position come the end of the season.
Leicester City
A wonderful start stunted. Replacement boss Claudio Ranieri conducted a busy transfer window to try and lay the foundations for making a more consistent side after some of last season’s more spectacular performances were often quickly undone. And his players began with a bang.
With two wins and two draws from their first four games, albeit against some of the less glamorous sides, and the Foxes were off to an excellent start. Their form continued into September with the numerous, vocal critics of Ranieri’s appointment suffering a bad case of foot-in-mouth disease, as Leicester propelled themselves into second following a tough victory over Aston Villa.
Leicester’s unbeaten run finally came to an end at the hands of the ruthless Arsenal, but for all their defensive lapses (no clean sheet so far) Ranieri’s men have proved to be the entertainers of the season so far – and if it can be maintained then there’s no reason a top-half finish won’t be on the cards.
Liverpool
Should FSG have made a tough summer decision? After sticking with their chosen man in Brendan Rodgers – although not surprisingly given the money they’d entrusted him with – Liverpool’s hierarchy required a fast start to alleviate any doubts around their man. Unfortunately, despite the dear arrivals of Robert Firmino and Christian Benteke, all the Reds could muster early on was a couple of scratchy 1-0 wins – mostly reliant upon Philippe Coutinho and Jordan Henderson.
The succumbing of the workhorse Henderson to injury didn’t aid matters, and unable to break past Petr Cech in a thrilling goalless draw against Arsenal, the Reds’ early optimism appeared misplaced. Thus followed a soul-crushing humiliation at the hands of West Ham and a tame loss to their arch rivals at Old Trafford.
Rodgers was now under extreme pressure to get his troops firing, yet even the timely return of Daniel Sturridge and Danny Ings’ first goal could not provide a victory against their previous whipping-boys Norwich. Even an entertaining victory over Aston Villa could not relieve the burden as defensive frailties were on display once more – arguably the major criticism of Rodgers’ tenure.
If a return to form cannot be found, and Henderson on the injury list for some time, then Brendan will be looking over his shoulder – especially with the improvements of other sides.
Southampton
They took a while to get going but Ronald Koeman has the Saints firing once more. Last season’s favourites for the drop were once more forced to sell some of their strongest assets, with Nathaniel Clyne and Morgan Schneiderlin the two biggest names to depart. The talented Koeman was entrusted once more with building another squad, yet after a disappointing start he appeared to have lost his Midas touch.
However, Southampton did well to bounce back after beginning with two draws and a loss, ruthlessly overcoming 10-man Norwich 3-0 as the teams entered the international break. Returning, Koeman’s men recorded their third clean sheet in a row, but were unable to do more against a stubborn West Brom. Then followed an unfortunate 3-2 defeat at the hands of Man United, before a return to form was found against Swansea.
This comfortable victory has definitely set the platform for what should be expected from this spirited side, but I don’t anticipate they’ll do as well as their last campaign, with a top 10 finish being a reasonable prediction.