Some rise and some fall, that is the nature of Premier League football.
Some sides, however, fall further than others and Manchester United are the big losers for a second week in a row after their home loss to Tottenham Hotspur.
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 GW3.
1. Manchester City: 523 / 520 / -3
Total for 2018/19: +20
The champions of the Premier League didn’t have it all their own way against the champions of the Championship. While Pep Guardiola’s side had plenty of chances to see off Wolves, their unusual lack of efficiency in front of goal cost Manchester City their 100 per cent start to the campaign. They were also tested defensively, and at times found it difficult to come with the pace and directness of Wolves when they won possession back high up the pitch.
2. Liverpool 490 / 495 / +5
Total for 2018/19: +21
Not a convincing victory against a Brighton side buoyed by their exploits against United a week previously, but Liverpool did just about enough to maintain their perfect start to the campaign and move top of the table. The most pleasing aspect for Jurgen Klopp will be a third clean sheet in a row. With Alisson and Virgil van Dijk, the Reds look extremely assured defensively.
3. Chelsea: 446 / 451 / +5
Total for 2018/19: +21
There was no need for Sarri-ball against an incredibly negative Newcastle side. Chelsea dominated possession, but clear-cut chances were few and far between. Eden Hazard, making his first start of the season, looked exceptional, while Jorginho continues to impress. Maurizio Sarri will be delighted to have come away with all three points on what could have proved to be a hugely frustrating afternoon, especially after conceding the equaliser so late.
4. Tottenham Hotspur: 433 / 443 / +10
Total for 2018/19: +23
This week’s highest risers thanks to a terrific performance at Old Trafford. Whatever Mauricio Pochettino said to his players at half-time certainly did the trick, as they carved United open at will in the second half. Three wins from three, including two victories on the road, Spurs are looking in great shape. They may not have signed anyone in the summer, but Lucas Moura has certainly arrived.
Tottenham move up after their win against Man United
5. Manchester United: 445 / 433 / -12
Total for 2018/19: -27
Another big drop after the club’s worst Premier League start since 1992. The pressure continues to mount for Jose Mourinho after a disjointed display and disastrous result. A change in tactics did little to stop Spurs, who were just too good for United going forward in the second half. Paul Pogba was poor, Romelu Lukaku missed a glorious opportunity and defensively Mourinho’s men were a shambles.
6. Arsenal: 423 / 426 / +3
Total for 2018/19: -4
This wasn’t a perfect performance. Far from it, in fact, but Arsenal’s first win under new manager Unai Emery can only be a step in the right direction. While they created numerous chances going forward, defensively Arsenal were suspect throughout. Had West Ham been more assured in front of goal, Emery’s wait for a first win may still be ongoing.
7. Everton: 374 / 376 / +2
Total for 2018/19: 6
A small rise for Everton after a frantic, frenetic encounter for the second away game in a row. Marco Silva’s men will have been reeling at half time following Richarlison’s dismissal, but they showed their counter-attacking qualities to lead Bournemouth 2-0. Their collapse was unexpected, but their fans will be pleased with what they’ve seen so far under their new manager in the opening three games.
8. Leicester City: 355 / 358 / +3
Total for 2018/19: +8
An unlikely victory sealed in the most unlikeliest of circumstances sees Leicester’s value rise. Harry Maguire’s long-range strike handed the Foxes an impressive away victory. Claude Puel will have been delighted with the win against his former employers, but there is still plenty of work to do for the Foxes, who looked short of ideas and uncomfortable defensively for long periods against a tepid Southampton side.
Leicester rise again after Harry Maguire’s late winner against Southampton
9. West Ham: 345 / 343 / -2
Total for 2018/19: -27
Another defeat for Manuel Pellegrini, who is yet to taste victory as Hammers boss, but there were positive signs against Arsenal. West Ham created plenty of chances at the Emirates, but their defensive frailties and lack of composure in front of goal cost them dearly once again. Felipe Anderson’s performance will give Pellegrini, and Hammers fans, real encouragement.
10. Wolves: 300 / 305 / +5
Total for 2018/19: +5
Finally. One of the so-called lesser sides willing to ask questions of Pep Guardiola’s City. Newly-promoted Wolves didn’t just sit back and soak up pressure. In possession they were composed, sharp and precise, asking questions City have rarely had to answer. This draw was another step in the right direction for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, who went toe-to-toe with the best the Premier League has to offer.
11. Crystal Palace: 300 / 297 / -3
Total for 2018/19: +7
Football is decided by fine margins. Had Joel Ward scored, rather than head wide, with virtually the last touch of the game, Crystal Palace would have picked up an impressive point on the road against Watford, especially having found themselves two goals down. The Eagles wasted two gilt-edged chances in the first half and were made to pay. Wilfried Zaha will hope his team-mates can find the clinical edge that he has shown in the early stages of the campaign.
12. Fulham: 285 / 293 / +8
Total for 2018/19: +3
This was the sort of Fulham performance we grew so accustomed to in the Championship last season. The £100 million outlay in the summer looks to be money well spent, with the likes of Jean Michael Seri and Andre Schurrle impressing, while Aleksandar Mitrovic has picked up where he left off on loan last season. Goals are to be expected when Fulham are in action and this was a much-needed victory to kickstart their campaign.
Fulham recorded their first win of the season at home to Burnley
13. Bournemouth: 290 / 290 / 0
Total for 2018/19: +20
With two wins from two and Everton down to ten, Bournemouth would have been hoping to extend their winning start at half-time of their game against the Toffees. But their lack of game management proved costly, as Eddie Howe’s side were exposed on the counter, before mounting an impressive comeback to draw. With seven points from three games, the Cherries will be very happy with their campaign so far.
14. Newcastle United: 290 / 285 / -5
Total for 2018/19: -5
Rafael Benitez’s post-match comments will do little to boost the confidence and morale of his players, even if they do ring true. Newcastle’s negative tactics were questioned by many, and despite it almost paying off following Joselu’s equaliser, they were made to pay for their defend-at-all costs approach. Rumours of a training ground rift between Benitez and key personnel will further enhance fears of a very difficult campaign for the Magpies.
15. Burnley: 284 / 278 / -6
Total for 2018/19: -12
It’s understandable why some Burnley fans are hoping to see their side knocked out of the Europa League. Defeats to Watford and now Fulham immediately after their most recent Thursday night exploits highlight why that is the case. Sean Dyche’s side, renowned for a strong defensive solidity, have now shipped seven goals in their last two games. Defeat to Olympiacos this week may be just what the Clarets need to rediscover their domestic form.
16. Watford: 270 / 275 / +5
Total for 2018/19: 25
Watford are now this season’s highest risers overall thanks to a third successive win. They were made to work hard for all three points against Crystal Palace, and received huge slices of fortune in both halves, as Etienne Capoue escaped a straight red and Jose Holebas saw his cross find the back of the net. But Javi Gracia will be delighted with his side’s perfect start to the campaign.
With three wins from three, Watford are this season’s highest risers
17. Brighton: 265 / 265 / 0
Total for 2018/19: 15
After victory against Manchester United, many were expecting Brighton to come crashing back down to earth against Liverpool. While they were unable to come away from Anfield with anything, Chris Hughton’s side did superbly well to frustrate Jurgen Klopp’s team. Without Lewis Dunk, Shane Duffy led by example at the heart of the defence to keep Liverpool’s potent attack at bay for long periods, with one big error in midfield costing the Seagulls dear.
18. Southampton: 270 / 263 / -7
Total for 2018/19: -7
Southampton will face very few teams as poor as Leicester at St Mary’s this season, and the fact they were unable to take even a point from the game spells trouble. After Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s red card for diving, Mark Hughes’ side would have been pleased to come away with a point, but Harry Maguire’s long-range effort means it’s just one point from three games against teams they will have harboured hopes of finishing above this season.
19. Huddersfield Town: 218 / 215 / -3
Total for 2018/19: -5
If Huddersfield and David Wagner are going to pull off the unexpected again this season, these are the games they need to be winning. The Terriers had just three efforts at goal in the stalemate with Cardiff, and while Jonathan Hogg’s red card just after the hour mark did them no favours, Wagner will be worried about his side’s lack of attacking quality in the opening three fixtures.
20. Cardiff City: 199 / 201 / +2
Total for 2018/19: +1
A point away from home in the Premier League is always a positive for a newly-promoted side, but Neil Warnock’s men will be disappointed not to have turned it into all three against ten-man Huddersfield. The Bluebirds looked bereft of ideas going forward – even with the man advantage. The goalless draw means they have now failed to net in their opening three games of the season. Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City are up next.
