Premier League Stock Exchange: Chelsea and Liverpool on rise again but Spurs fall

Tom Biggs 16:12 03/09/2018
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  • Some rise and some fall, that is the nature of Premier League football.

    Some sides, however, can rise and fall very quickly, just like Tottenham Hotspur for example, who came off the back of beating Manchester United with a defeat to Watford.

    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 price but after this weekend’s action, we examine the output to create a new value.

    The total points gained for the season are used as a tiebreaker but sides that have produced big wins against strong opposition get a big boost and vice versa.

    Without further ado, here’s the rankings after GW4.

    1. Manchester City: 520 / 523 / +3

    Total for 2018/19: +23

    Manchester City were made to work hard for their victory against Newcastle United, with two long-range strikes sealing the success, but Pep Guardiola’s side did what they needed to do after the draw with Wolves. Guardiola will demand more, but this was an important win against a very defensive Newcastle side heading into the international break.

    2. Liverpool: 495 / 500 / +5

    Total for 2018/19: +25

    Jurgen Klopp’s side were not at their best in the away win at Leicester City, but the victory means it’s their best-ever Premier League start. Sadio Mane’s excellent early-season form continues, and despite conceding their first goal of the season after Alisson’s horrendous error, Liverpool will be very happy with their start to the campaign.

    3. Chelsea: 451 / 456 / +5

    Total for 2018/19: +26

    Maurizio Sarri’s 100 per cent record in charge of Chelsea moves to four games. Again there were the slight lapses in defensive concentration and Bournemouth were dogged throughout, but Sarri’s style seems to be taking hold of the Chelsea players. Pedro looks rejuvenated, while Eden Hazard is really starting to discover his best club form again.

    4. Manchester United: 433 / 440 / +7

    Total for 2018/19: -20

    After two falls, Manchester United are on the rise again thanks to their win at Burnley, moving back ahead of Spurs. Romelu Lukaku made up for his miss last weekend with a brace, Luke Shaw impressed and Alexis Sanchez looked sharp, but most importantly for Jose Mourinho, it was an excellent team performance.

    Manchester United are back on the right path after victory against Burnley

    Manchester United are back on the right path after victory against Burnley

    5. Tottenham Hotspur: 445 / 438 / -7

    Total for 2018/19: +18

    After the high of winning at Old Trafford last Monday, Tottenham’s loss at Watford brought them crashing back down to earth. Despite taking the lead, Mauricio Pochettino’s side never looked comfortable against the Hornets and were made to pay, coming undone from two set-pieces. Pochettino’s lack of substitutions, despite Watford’s mounting pressure, was strange – and costly.

    6. Arsenal: 426 / 428 / +2

    Total for 2018/19: -2

    More goals conceded for Unai Emery’s side, but positives going forward, as they picked up only their second away win of 2018. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette linked well in the second half when they moved closer to one another. That said, Petr Cech just doesn’t look comfortable playing the Emery way, while defensively they were extremely suspect once again.

    7. Everton: 376 / 373 / -3

    Total for 2018/19: +3

    Three draws from their opening four games for Everton, but this one at home to Huddersfield will have been the most frustrating. Without Richarlison, they really failed to trouble the Terriers, especially after Theo Walcott’s injury. Work to do for Marco Silva during the international break as he looks to turn these draws into victories.

    8. Leicester City: 358 / 358 / 0

    Total for 2018/19: +8

    Claude Puel will be disappointed not to have been rewarded for his side’s spirited second-half display against a lacklustre Liverpool. The Frenchman will still take positives from the performance however, with James Maddison once again impressing, and Klopp’s side finding it difficult to cope with the pressure from the Foxes throughout the second half.

    9. West Ham: 343 / 323 / -20

    Total for 2018/19: -47

    Things go from bad to worse for Manuel Pellegrini’s men. Defeat to Wolves means they have now lost all four of their opening matches, and unlike the loss to Arsenal, there were very few positives from this one. Disjointed and disorganised, a tough run of fixtures after the international break could spell disaster for the Hammers at this early stage of the season. The -20 is very much a ‘compound interest’ effect of just how poor they have been so far.

    10. Wolves: 305 / 313 / +8

    Total for 2018/19: +13

    Wolves are on the rise thanks to their first three points since returning to the Premier League. The newly-promoted side should have been ahead long before Adama Traore scored an injury-time winner, but a first clean sheet, to go with the three points, will have delighted manager Nuno Espirito Santo.

    11. Fulham: 293 / 295 / +2

    Total for 2018/19: +5

    A point away from home should always been seen as a positive one for a newly-promoted side, but Fulham will be kicking themselves that they didn’t leave the south coast with all three points. At 2-0 up, the Cottagers allowed hosts Brighton to get themselves back in the game and snatch a point. Slavisa Jokanovic must tighten the ship defensively.

    12. Watford: 275 / 290 / +15

    Total for 2018/19: +40

    Four wins from four for the Hornets, who are the biggest risers overall so far this season. Javi Gracia’s side made it tough for Tottenham all afternoon, before showing plenty of character to come back from a goal down to win. The partnership between Andre Gray and Troy Deeney is thriving, while defensively they look resolute and well organised.

    Craig Cathcart and Troy Deeney scored the goals to help Watford beat Tottenham

    Craig Cathcart and Troy Deeney scored the goals to help Watford beat Tottenham

    13. Bournemouth: 290 / 290 / 0

    Total for 2018/19: +20

    A first defeat of the season for Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth, but no fall here, as they made life extremely difficult for Chelsea. On another day, the Cherries may have taken one of their chances, but individual brilliance at the other end cost them, as Pedro and Hazard scored late. Howe can be pleased with his side’s efforts so far this season.

    14. Crystal Palace: 297 / 290 / -7

    Total for 2018/19: 0

    No Wilfried Zaha. No points for Crystal Palace. Roy Hodgson’s side look lost whenever he’s not in the side, and that was once again the case at home to Southampton. After falling behind, the Eagles pressed and were a tad unfortunate not to find an equaliser, but the Saints were there for the taking, and this was a hugely disappointing result for Palace.

    15. Newcastle United: 285 / 285 / 0

    Total for 2018/19: -5

    Just like at home to Chelsea last week, Newcastle made life difficult for Manchester City. Ultimately undone by two superbly taken long-range strikes, Rafael Benitez won’t be too dispirited with his side’s efforts at the Etihad. Having already played Spurs, Chelsea and the champions, the Spaniard will hope for better fortune after the international break.

    16. Burnley: 278 / 273 / -5

    Total for 2018/19: -17

    Knocked out of the Europa League on Thursday and now three league defeats in a row for Burnley. Sean Dyche’s side lacked the energy and tenacity they showed so often last season in their defeat at home to Manchester United. With no more European distractions, Dyche will hope the Clarets can get back to basics and make themselves tough to beat after the break.

    17. Southampton: 263 / 270 / +7

    Total for 2018/19: 0

    A maiden win of the season for Saints, who earn their first rise of the campaign. Mark Hughes’ side took full advantage of Palace’s lack of proficiency in front of goal to take all three points. Danny Ings continued his positive start to the season with the opener, while Hughes now looks to have settled on a formation he will hope can yield more positive displays.

    18. Brighton: 265 / 265 / 0

    Total for 2018/19: +15

    Before the game, a draw would have been seen as a disappointing result for Brighton at home to Fulham, but at 2-0 down, the Seagulls showed plenty of character to earn themselves a share of the spoils. Home form could be crucial for Chris Hughton’s side this season if they are to remain in the Premier League however, and this is the sort of game they need to be winning.

    19. Huddersfield Town: 215 / 218 / +3

    Total for 2018/19: -2

    A first away point of the season for Huddersfield. David Wagner will be delighted with his side’s performance at Everton, as they made life uncomfortable for Marco Silva’s men. The Terriers fully deserved their share of the spoils, and as a result, see their stock increase slightly heading into the international break, despite no league win so far this season.

    20. Cardiff City: 201 / 201 / 0

    Total for 2018/19: +1

    The goals finally arrived for Neil Warnock’s Cardiff, but up against quality attacking opposition in Arsenal, their defence was severely tested, and ultimately they couldn’t hold out for a third draw of the campaign. More composure at the other end could well have seen them score more, but with Chelsea and Man City up next, shoring up the defence will be imperative.

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