Premier League Week 2 Review and Power Rankings

Overtime Heroics Editorial

2211 days ago

The debuts from David Luiz and Nicolas Pépé were pretty solid showings, but the true star of this game was Dani Ceballos. The Real Madrid product had a fantastic game in the midfield for the Gunners and was able to break down Burnley and get the ball to Lacazette and Aubameyang. Burnley was close to gaining a point off a strong Arsenal team, but Ashley Barnes’ goal was just not enough. Both teams are in great positions to start the season still with both having at least three points.

Arsenal 2-1 Burnley

Bournemouth 2-1 Aston Villa

Against another promoted team to start the season, Bournemouth had trouble finding their feet. However, Bournemouth now has four points to start the season which is good for this team. A penalty and a deflected strike early in the game sealed a Villa loss. Two losses against Premier League regulars is nothing to be down about. Villa was able to score a goal against each, but they had a rough time in front of the home crowd at this game. They have to find their strengths or they will be relegated.

Brighton 1-1 West Ham

After a dominant win over Watford to start their campaign, Brighton had their first home game of the season. Their hopes were high, but in the second half Chicharito of West Ham gave the Hammers the lead. However, Trossard a new signing for Brighton tied the game up with a fantastic strike. Brighton is off to a great start this season with four points already. On the other hand, West Ham is struggling. After being thrashed by Man City, West Ham only squeaked out a draw to start the season.

Everton 1-0 Watford

A fantastic goal by Bernard for the Toffees was a great way to get their first 3 points of the season. Everton now has four points to start the season and I honestly think could be a real contender for a European position. We will see how they develop this season. Conversely, losing their first two games of the season, Watford has not scored a goal yet this season and may be looking down at relegation, but we are far from 100% of that happening.

Norwich 3-1 Newcastle

Teemu Pukki is the top goalscorer of the Premier League so far. He has scored all of Norwich’s goals this season. If Norwich wanted to prove a 4-1 loss against Liverpool meant nothing to their season, they did. They can survive in this league and shown by their fierce attack, they can do a lot. As a common Premier League team, Newcastle should beat a team like this, but they were totally outclassed away from home. After losing two games already, Newcastle will want to make further steps towards improvement or they will just be a pushover.

Liverpool 2-1 Southampton

Liverpool honestly struggled in this game. Being away from home and not having their top keeper, Liverpool struggled against a team that should not be that hard to beat. Despite that, they were able to push off the Saints with a stunner from Sadio Mané and a pretty good goal from Firmino. Southampton was able to score their first goal of the season off a Liverpool goalkeeper error, but it is a start. They need to be more efficient and they almost tied the game against the second place team from last year.

Man City 2-2 Tottenham

In the Game of the Week, both teams were fighting for early edge in a fresh season. Raheem Sterling gave City the lead, then Tottenham equalized. Aguero gave City the lead until the 56th minute when Moura gave a second tie to the game. At the end, Jesus scored a supposed winner for City as VAR took away the goal after a grazed handball “assist”. It is unlucky, but it is the rules. City would have loved more out of that game as Champions, but are gonna need to win and win if they want to get back to last year. On the other hand, it feels like a victory for Spurs who want to prove they can still battle with the best.

Sheffield United 1-0 Crystal Palace

Another newly promoted team at home found their first victory of the Premier League season as Sheffield United edged out Crystal Palace. Sheffield United already has four points to start this season, which is fantastic for this new team. However, Palace, an experienced team in the Premier League, seems it should be doing better against a newly promoted team.

Chelsea 1-1 Leicester City

As a recovering top team in the Premier League after losses to both United and Liverpool, Chelsea really needs to get back on track. The new Lampard era is not going as planned and wanted this game to be a win. With only one draw out of their two games, they need lots of ground to be made up. Chelsea held the lead for the majority of the game, but Leicester dominated the chances and was able to convert in the 67th minute. James Maddison was wonderful for Leicester and I expect him to really save them this season. Two draws to open the season for Leicester is not half bad.

Wolverhampton 1-1 Man United

After thrashing Chelsea last week, Man United was hoping for another dominant match against the seventh place team from last season. Martial scored the goal to put United up 1-0, but then came the resilient Wolves team. Rúben Neves pulled off a screamer of a goal that absolutely shocked the Reds. Two draws for Wolves to start the season, but this draw will give them immense confidence. Man United had their first misstep of the season, but four points so far is pretty stable.