Spursex
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https://www.telegraph.co.uk/footbal...g-six-split-points-team-has-had-toughest-far/
The Premier League's big six: split by only a few points, but which team has had it toughest so far?
8 October 2018 • 12:09pm
With three Premier League teams locked on 20 points after eight games, and two on 18, it has been a tight and competitive start to season 2018-2019.
Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea lead the way, but who have they actually faced? Could any of those three pace-setters claim that they have had a tougher start than their peers?
As for Tottenham and Arsenal, which of the north London rivals can claim that their neighbours have had a soft beginning to their campaign?
And is there any excuse for Manchester United and their manager Jose Mourinho?
By analysing the quality of opponents so far, we bring you the definitive verdict as to which big six Premier League team had really been the most impressive so far this year.
Manchester City
Teams Played So Far
Played 8, won 6, drawn 2, lost 0. GD 18
Analysis
No-hopers faced: Have played all three of the promoted clubs (Wolves, Cardiff, Fulham), as well as Brighton and Huddersfield, who were third and second favourites to go down respectively. Have also played Newcastle, which is effectively a bye-week at the moment.
Rivals faced: Have played two of the big six, taking four points off them on the road, including Sunday’s draw at Anfield which they would have won had Mahrez not greedily grabbed the penalty duties and made a berk of himself by missing. Opened with an authoritative defeat of Arsenal in London.
Wallopings dished out: Nothing gets the good vibes flowing for a Championship tilt like a good thrashing: Huddersfield (six) and Cardiff (five) have assumed the position so far. City have the fear factor that the others do not.
Chelsea
Teams Played So Far
Played 8, won 6, drawn 2, lost 0. GD 13
Analysis
No-hopers faced: Have played only one promoted side, and most opponents have come from the league’s rump of never-going-to-win-but-they're-probably-safe sides from Bournemouth through to West Ham and Southampton. Collected the now-traditional three points against Newcastle.
Rivals faced: Were unable to beat Liverpool at home, although do have the psychological boost of having beaten Liverpool in the League Cup. Beat Arsenal 3-2 at Stamford Bridge in a minor classic, with Alonso getting the late winner.
Wallopings dished out: None so far but with Eden Hazard seemingly getting better by the week after a slowish, World Cup hangover start, somebody is going to get got soon.
Liverpool
Teams Played So Far
Played 8, won 6, drawn 2, lost 0. GD 12
Analysis
No-hopers faced: Only Brighton were really fancied to go down before the start of the season; otherwise the teams Liverpool beat in a blistering six wins out of six start were five of solid Premier League fare, and one of them was Spurs.
Rivals faced: Have faced three rivals: that's more tough matches than anyone else in this list. Beat Tottenham 2-1 away in an eye-catching result and then came back from Stamford Bridge with a perfectly acceptable point. As to the home point against Man City: not a dream result, but Klopp would have probably taken it with James Milner going off early, Roberto Firmino anonymous and Mo Salah still not quite firing. The sort of situation that they would have lost in over the last couple of years, perhaps?
Wallopings dished out: None really, but the fact that they have conceded just three goals all term will be more satisfying than running up a big bar bill against the cannon fodder.
Arsenal
Teams Played So Far
Played 8, won 6, drawn 0, lost 2. GD 9
Analysis
No-hopers faced: A few. The happiest fans this weekend were definitely Gooners, with widespread spontaneous chants of “We’ve got our Arsenal back” breaking out in the artisan bakeries and organic trouser boutiques of Islington. While six wins out of eight is nothing to sneeze at, they managed only to squeeze past Cardiff and Newcastle, and then had their way with a Fulham side this weekend who lost the plot.
Rivals faced: Have played two decent sides, and have lost twice to them. These are the facts. However, it should be said that those were the first two games of the season and the first two with a new manager. But clearly it is against the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea that Arsenal’s Revolution will ultimately be judged.
Wallopings dished out: Tonked a woeful Fulham in glorious style, meaning that the good vibes are officially back.
The Premier League's big six: split by only a few points, but which team has had it toughest so far?
8 October 2018 • 12:09pm
With three Premier League teams locked on 20 points after eight games, and two on 18, it has been a tight and competitive start to season 2018-2019.
Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea lead the way, but who have they actually faced? Could any of those three pace-setters claim that they have had a tougher start than their peers?
As for Tottenham and Arsenal, which of the north London rivals can claim that their neighbours have had a soft beginning to their campaign?
And is there any excuse for Manchester United and their manager Jose Mourinho?
By analysing the quality of opponents so far, we bring you the definitive verdict as to which big six Premier League team had really been the most impressive so far this year.
Manchester City
Teams Played So Far
- Beat Arsenal 2-0 away
- Beat Huddersfield 6-1 at home
- Drew with Wolves 1-1 away
- Beat Newcastle 2-1 at home
- Beat Fulham 3-0 at home
- Beat Cardiff City 5-0 away
- Beat Brighton 2-0 at home
- Drew with Liverpool 0-0 away
Played 8, won 6, drawn 2, lost 0. GD 18
Analysis
No-hopers faced: Have played all three of the promoted clubs (Wolves, Cardiff, Fulham), as well as Brighton and Huddersfield, who were third and second favourites to go down respectively. Have also played Newcastle, which is effectively a bye-week at the moment.
Rivals faced: Have played two of the big six, taking four points off them on the road, including Sunday’s draw at Anfield which they would have won had Mahrez not greedily grabbed the penalty duties and made a berk of himself by missing. Opened with an authoritative defeat of Arsenal in London.
Wallopings dished out: Nothing gets the good vibes flowing for a Championship tilt like a good thrashing: Huddersfield (six) and Cardiff (five) have assumed the position so far. City have the fear factor that the others do not.
Chelsea
Teams Played So Far
- Beat Huddersfield 3-0 away
- Beat Arsenal 3-2 at home
- Beat Newcastle 2-1 away
- Beat Bournemouth 2-0 at home
- Beat Cardiff 4-1 at home
- Drew 0-0 with West Ham away
- Drew 1-1 with Liverpool at home
- Beat Southampton 3-0 away
Played 8, won 6, drawn 2, lost 0. GD 13
Analysis
No-hopers faced: Have played only one promoted side, and most opponents have come from the league’s rump of never-going-to-win-but-they're-probably-safe sides from Bournemouth through to West Ham and Southampton. Collected the now-traditional three points against Newcastle.
Rivals faced: Were unable to beat Liverpool at home, although do have the psychological boost of having beaten Liverpool in the League Cup. Beat Arsenal 3-2 at Stamford Bridge in a minor classic, with Alonso getting the late winner.
Wallopings dished out: None so far but with Eden Hazard seemingly getting better by the week after a slowish, World Cup hangover start, somebody is going to get got soon.
Liverpool
Teams Played So Far
- Beat West Ham 4-0 at home
- Beat Crystal Palace 2-0 away
- Beat Brighton 1-0 at home
- Beat Leicester 2-1 away
- Beat Tottenham 2-1 away
- Beat Southampton 3-0 at home
- Drew 1-1 with Chelsea away
- Drew 0-0 with Man City at home
Played 8, won 6, drawn 2, lost 0. GD 12
Analysis
No-hopers faced: Only Brighton were really fancied to go down before the start of the season; otherwise the teams Liverpool beat in a blistering six wins out of six start were five of solid Premier League fare, and one of them was Spurs.
Rivals faced: Have faced three rivals: that's more tough matches than anyone else in this list. Beat Tottenham 2-1 away in an eye-catching result and then came back from Stamford Bridge with a perfectly acceptable point. As to the home point against Man City: not a dream result, but Klopp would have probably taken it with James Milner going off early, Roberto Firmino anonymous and Mo Salah still not quite firing. The sort of situation that they would have lost in over the last couple of years, perhaps?
Wallopings dished out: None really, but the fact that they have conceded just three goals all term will be more satisfying than running up a big bar bill against the cannon fodder.
Arsenal
Teams Played So Far
- Lost 2-0 to Man City at home
- Lost 3-2 to Chelsea away
- Beat West Ham 3-1 at home
- Beat Cardiff 3-2 away
- Beat Newcastle 2-1 away
- Beat Everton 2-0 at home
- Beat Watford 2-0 at home
- Beat Fulham 5-1 away
Played 8, won 6, drawn 0, lost 2. GD 9
Analysis
No-hopers faced: A few. The happiest fans this weekend were definitely Gooners, with widespread spontaneous chants of “We’ve got our Arsenal back” breaking out in the artisan bakeries and organic trouser boutiques of Islington. While six wins out of eight is nothing to sneeze at, they managed only to squeeze past Cardiff and Newcastle, and then had their way with a Fulham side this weekend who lost the plot.
Rivals faced: Have played two decent sides, and have lost twice to them. These are the facts. However, it should be said that those were the first two games of the season and the first two with a new manager. But clearly it is against the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea that Arsenal’s Revolution will ultimately be judged.
Wallopings dished out: Tonked a woeful Fulham in glorious style, meaning that the good vibes are officially back.
