Mail Sport’s PREMIER LEAGUE REPORT CARDS

As we attain the New Year and the midway stage of the Premier League marketing campaign, there’s been a good few of surprises and upsets alongside the way in which.

Many would have probably anticipated Treble winners Manchester City to be on the summit of the top-flight desk, nevertheless their type has dwindled of late.

Meanwhile, giants comparable to Manchester United and Chelsea have struggled to seek out their rhythm in any respect this marketing campaign and might be hoping for various fortunes in 2024.

At the opposite finish of the desk, it is honest to say that Vincent Kompany‘s Burnley would have had completely different expectations to what they’re presently experiencing.

And so, right here, Mail Sport’s Lewis Steele offers the report playing cards for all Premier League groups. 

Arsenal

Came near profitable a primary title in twenty years final 12 months however fell aside underneath the strain. They will hope to have discovered from that have and are going into the brand new 12 months in first rate form, regardless of Thursday evening’s loss. 

Strong at each ends of the pitch, Mikel Arteta’s aspect look as effectively positioned as anybody to finish Manchester City’s monopoly on the Premier League, with Declan Rice proving an impressed signing.

Report ranking: A

Aston Villa

Asked what went unsuitable as Aston Villa misplaced to Manchester United, boss Unai Emery merely smiled and stated: ‘Good night, 39 factors, it is superb.’ He’s proper. 

The Spaniard has been supervisor of the season thus far and it’s certainly superb to see the heights Villa have reached since sacking Steven Gerrard. Talk of a title tilt is fanciful however the prime 4 shouldn’t be past them.

Report ranking: A+ 

Bournemouth

Andoni Iraola arrived with a repute for expansive, high-pressing soccer, having guided relegation-tipped Rayo Vallecano to eleventh in La Liga, beating Barcelona and Real Madrid within the course of. 

A gradual begin noticed Bournemouth go winless of their first 9 video games however they’ve misplaced simply as soon as since — at champions Manchester City — and have received six of their final seven.

Report ranking: B+ 

Brentford

A little bit of a drop-off with their two greatest gamers lacking, Ivan Toney banned and Bryan Mbeumo injured, plus a lot of the first-choice defence. 

There have been some excessive moments although, comparable to beating west London rivals Chelsea and Fulham, and each Bees fan will nonetheless be delighted as supervisor Thomas Frank appears to be like to consolidate one other season with the large boys.

Report ranking: B- 

Brighton

Won a Europa League group of dying that includes Ajax and Marseille and lots of key males have suffered prolonged accidents so, as with Brentford, you may’t be too harsh on Brighton. 

Results dipped within the Premier League with only one win in 5 December matches earlier than Thursday evening’s thrilling overcome Tottenham. No motive why they can not go deep within the Europa League.

Report ranking: B 

Burnley

A few excessive factors, comparable to a 5-0 thrashing of Sheffield United and profitable at Fulham, assist Burnley keep away from a worse mark. But they’ve regarded naive at instances, by way of each recruitment and ways, which might come again to chew them. 

Manager Vincent Kompany regarded like a world-beater of their promotion marketing campaign however should show his value on the prime degree now.

Report ranking: E 

Chelsea

It’s been an terrible season, whatever the midweek win over Crystal Palace. Having spent so closely once more in the summertime, Chelsea are miles off the tempo and a great distance from the place they need to be. 

Lacking expertise, model, construction and somebody who can often hit the again of the web, boss Mauricio Pochettino should discover the solutions quickly or he may very well be the newest supervisor to pay for membership’s scattergun method.

Report ranking: F 

Crystal Palace

Roy Hodgson is a legend of the Premier League and soccer administration, however it’s not likely working for Crystal Palace this season. 

It could be unsuitable to place it solely all the way down to Wilfried Zaha’s exit, as Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise are vastly proficient gamers. But the Eagles are in a relegation battle and it is likely to be time to vary managers, with Steve Cooper closely linked.

Report ranking: C- 

Everton

If not for Emery and a few defeats both aspect of Christmas, Sean Dyche could be supervisor of the season thus far. Many tipped Everton for relegation however they’re proving the doubters unsuitable, regardless of their 10-point deduction. 

Jarrad Branthwaite has been a revelation as Dyche has turned Everton right into a well-balanced, environment friendly crew that may fancy themselves to complete within the prime half of the desk, if not for that punishment.

Report ranking: A 

Fulham

Probably the toughest crew to grade given their inconsistent nature. Marco Silva is an efficient supervisor and they’re dealing effectively with the lack of Aleksandar Mitrovic, as seen in back-to-back 5-0 wins simply earlier than Christmas. 

Also into the final 4 of the Carabao Cup for the primary time of their historical past and, although star man Joao Palhinha is more likely to go away, the long run is vivid.

Report ranking: B 

Liverpool

Liverpool 2.0, as Jurgen Klopp calls his crew, are in a rebuilding part after the exits of many skilled males in the summertime. 

The indisputable fact that they’ve misplaced simply as soon as — a VAR farce at Tottenham — and are within the combine will delight followers, with the Reds maybe overachieving thus far. 

They are favourites to win each the Europa League and Carabao Cup, however Mo Salah’s absence throughout the Africa Cup of Nations might be an enormous blow.

Report ranking: A 

Luton

The better of the three promoted sides, with Rob Edwards — a shrewd tactician and high-quality gentleman — proving the right man for the membership. Came agonisingly near taking factors off Arsenal and Liverpool and took the lead towards Manchester City. 

Games towards fellow relegation strugglers will determine their destiny, with two of these arising.

Report ranking: B 

Manchester City

Everyone appears to have written off City after a nasty begin to the season once more. They have been eighth at Christmas in 2020-21 and nonetheless received the league so, as boss Pep Guardiola says, dismiss them at your peril. 

Plenty to work on for the second half of the season, however a lot might be remedied by the upcoming return of playmaker Kevin De Bruyne.

Report ranking: B- 

Man Utd

Bournemouth, Palace and Brighton have all received at Old Trafford, whereas they clung on towards Luton and wanted last-minute heroics to beat Brentford. 

A really baffling crew who additionally crashed out of the Champions League and Carabao Cup. One outcome can change the outlook and the dramatic win towards Aston Villa should act as a springboard now.

Report ranking: C

Newcastle

Contractually obliged to say Newcastle’s accidents when discussing Eddie Howe’s males however their issues run deeper, with only one win within the final seven. Howe is an efficient man and talks sense. 

Everyone knew this season could be more durable than final, however Newcastle can solely get higher, particularly with so many good children of their squad.

Report ranking: C

Nottingham Forest

Tough time to be a Forest fan with the exit of the favored Steve Cooper, however Nuno Espirito Santo is aware of what he’s doing by way of taking a crew from relegation-threatened to mid-table certainties, as he did at Wolves. In a relegation battle however Forest ought to have simply sufficient class to maintain away from the underside three.

Report ranking: C- 

Sheffield United

Three of their greatest gamers within the promotion-winning marketing campaign have been Iliman Ndiaye, Sander Berge and Tommy Doyle. None of them are on the membership any extra, with Sheffield United beginning this season with an inferior squad than the one they got here up with. 

Have proven indicators of revival underneath returning boss Chris Wilder however it’s going to take a minor miracle to maintain them up.

Report ranking: D- 

Tottenham

The breathtaking begin underneath Ange Postecoglou was all the time going to come back crashing down, however let’s not neglect the harm disaster and that Spurs misplaced their greatest participant — by a ways — in Harry Kane in the summertime. 

If ‘Big Ange’ can make them the highest 4 he may have accomplished a stellar job in his first 12 months.

Report ranking: B 

West Ham

An enchancment on final season’s league type and West Ham’s recruitment crew did effectively to reinvest the £105million acquired for Rice. Jarrod Bowen has been the shining mild once more and might be one other star they battle to maintain maintain of. 

Lucas Paqueta is a category act, whereas Mohammed Kudus and Edson Alvarez have been stable signings. West Ham can problem to qualify for a fourth straight 12 months of European soccer.

Report ranking: B+ 

Wolves

Many had Wolves as relegation candidates after a poor switch window, which led Julen Lopetegui to give up on the eve of the marketing campaign. 

But Gary O’Neil, like he did at Bournemouth, is doing an distinctive job.

Report ranking: A