Premier League Stock Exchange: Liverpool open gap on Man United, Palace make jump

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  • Just like that the 2018/19 Premier League first Gameweek is over. Naturally, some sides saw their stock rise while others received a big hit.

    The Sport360 Stock Exchange (360SE) is our season-long measurement for all 20 Premier League teams, as we track each club throughout the campaign and take into account their results to assign positions.

    We initially used reputation and squad worth to determine the starting values but after this weekend’s action, we examine the output to create a new value.

    The points gained/lost are used as a tiebreaker but sides which have produced big wins against strong opposition obviously get a big boost and vice versa.

    Without further ado, here’s the ranking after GW1.

    1. Manchester City: 500 / 515 / +15

    Pep Guardiola was handed the opportunity to lay down a marker and his side smacked one on Arsenal. They led the way coming into the Gameweek and have seen their value take another leap thanks to a commanding 2-0 win over top-six opposition. They are well ahead of the Gunners and right now, the rest as well.

    2. Liverpool: 475 / 482 / +8

    The Reds can be serious challengers this season. They were emphatic and entertaining in a 4-0 swatting of West Ham. Naby Keita was given the keys to Anfield and repeatedly unlocked the Hammers defence while the front three machine kicked into high gear. They produced one of the performances of the weekend, albeit against limited opponents.

    3. Manchester United: 460 / 465 / +5

    Love and hate are one and the same. Paul Pogba appears to have a strong distaste for Jose Mourinho and yet the United boss will have loved his performance against Leicester. Fans will have hated the overall display, but enjoyed the result. They were far from free-flowing but got the job done.

    4. Chelsea: 430 / 436 / +6

    Gone is Antonio Conte and his back three, in is Maurizio Sarri and a four-man defence. A period of adaption is required for the Italian’s new system to take hold, exemplified by an indifferent display against Huddersfield, but there were signs his players are ready to embrace ‘Sarri-ball’.

    5. Tottenham: 420 / 428 / +8

    Exertions from the World Cup are largely viewed as a negative but Mauricio Pochettino turned that into a positive as the feelgood factor from Russia provided the drive for their 2-1 win over Newcastle. Five of their XI featured in the semi-finals and with that context, results rather than performances take precedence.

    FBL-ENG-PR-NEWCASTLE-TOTTENHAM

    6. Arsenal: 430 / 425 / -5

    Unai Emery has a plan and that’s something which can’t be said of Arsenal in recent years. There was evidence of organisation and a modern rigidity but the swell of optimism over the summer has died down a little after City illuminated the chasm of quality between the two sides.

    7. Everton: 370 / 370 / 0

    No value gained or lost for Marco Silva. The mitigating circumstance of Phil Jagielka’s red card means their draw with Wolves is in the end a good result. Indeed, they made mistakes and will be gracious Wolves were equally as error-strewn. Richarlison scored twice, the second a beautiful finish, and the hope now is that the record buy can continue to flourish.

    8. Leicester City: 350 / 350 / 0

    Defeated, but impressive. Claude Puel was justified in his disappointment because the Foxes were worthy of more from Old Trafford after a spirited display. They lost one star in the window with Riyad Mahrez departing, but may have another in the slick midfielder James Maddison.

    9. West Ham: 360 / 350 / -10

    The biggest value hit was inflicted on the Hammers. Granted, their season will not be defined by away trips to title contenders but Manuel Pellegrini will require more from his new signings. Jack Wilshere was bypassed in midfield and Felipe Anderson flickered but flattered to deceive as Liverpool dominated.

    10. Wolves: 300 / 305 / +5

    Everton were down to 10 men for 50 minutes so Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo might have expected more than just a point. As it was, it could have been worse as they twice fell behind but the newly-promoted side showed plenty of character and a touch of style through Ruben Neves.

    Wolverhampton Wanderers v Everton FC - Premier League

    11. Crystal Palace – 290 / 300 / +10

    The big movers from the first week. Wilfried Zaha remaining with Palace could yet prove to be the best piece of business from the summer because he can form a schism between his side and the drop zone. They were ruthless on the counter-attack, typified by his goal in a 2-0 dusting of Fulham.

    12. Burnley – 290 / 292 / +2

    A “winning draw” is how Burnley boss Sean Dyche described his side’s 0-0 stalemate at Southampton. Far from a bore, the visitors were hallmarked by refreshing crisp passing and their typical physical prowess. Ultimately, they deserved more than a point.

    13. Newcastle United: 290 / 290 / 0

    The Magpies have been strangled by financial restraints and the underwhelming nature of their transfer business has fans squawking at owner Mike Ashley. They can take solace from a promising performance in defeat to Spurs, save for uncharacteristically slack defending, Rafa Benitez’s men looked a match.

    14. Fulham: 290 / 285 / -5

    Ambition could lead to the fall. Fulham spent over £100m in the transfer window and can field an entire XI of new signings. But their aspirations took a heavy hit after Crystal Palace taught them a tough lesson with their mirrored adventure on the pitch punished on the counter.

    15. Bournemouth – 270 / 278 / +8

    Goals from Ryan Fraser and Callum Wilson saw Eddie Howe’s side register a first opening-day win in three years as they made light work of Cardiff. They spent less than £30million in the window – a pittance by Premier League standards – but familiarity allowed the Cherries to find their early stride.

    16. Southampton – 270 / 270 / 0

    Mark Hughes ditched the three-man defence which secured their safety last season in the second half against Burnley and considering the amount of centre-backs at his disposal, that is a concern. They lacked tempo and desire and were fortunate for a point.

    17. Watford – 250 / 255 / +5

    Roberto Pereyra scored both goals in the 2-0 win over Brighton and the Argentine’s sprinkle of individual quality melds well with the collective solidity Javi Gracia appears to have manufactured. A perfect start for the Hornets.

    Watford FC v Brighton & Hove Albion - Premier League

    18. Brighton – 250 / 245 / -5

    Watford were simply better in every area and good value for the three points. Brighton lacked purpose and worryingly organisation in a battle of two sides predicted to struggle to retain Premier League status.

    19. Huddersfield Town – 220 / 220 / 0

    Promotion to the Premier League was a shock, survival last season a surprise but boss David Wagner needs his underdogs to pack some serious bite if they’re to stay up again. Had opportunities to exploit but were undone by Chelsea’s quality in a 3-0 defeat.

    20. Cardiff City – 200 / 195 / -5

    If you needed confirmation of just how big the task of staying up is for Neil Warnock’s side, then the chastening 2-0 at Bournemouth provided just that. They were mercilessly taken apart at the Vitality Stadium and thoroughly outclassed.

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