Rating the Premier League teams for their performances so far this season…
We’re 17 games into the Premier League season, four teams have reached the semi-finals of the Capital One Cup, the third round of the FA Cup is about to get under-way, and the European competitions are into their knock-out stages.
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In our Premier League half-term report we’ve graded every team from A to E – see our full rankings below:
Arsenal – C
Have made an uninspiring start to the season in many ways, and are all but out of the title race. However, summer signing Alexis Sanchez has impressed, while the Gunners remain within touching distance of the top four. Have progressed in Europe, but surrendered lamely in the League Cup.
Aston Villa – C+
Started well before hitting an alarming run of defeats. Have slowly began to turn that around in recent weeks and remain a respectable five points clear of the bottom three – probably the best they could have hoped for.
Burnley – B-
Started slowly but have now won three, and lost only two of their last seven games. Still in the bottom three, but have kept in touch with those around them, and only need to rise one place to have achieved an excellent season.
Chelsea – A+
A near-perfect campaign thus far from the Blues, who have lost only once in all competitions. They’re three points clear at the top of the Premier League table, have a League Cup semi-final to look forward to and have progressed in Europe yet again. Bought well in the summer, and have been devastatingly brilliant at times.
Crystal Palace – C-
Outside the bottom three on goal difference, and have been solid if unspectacular. They were never going to achieve great things after losing their manager shortly before the start of the season, and with that in mind have responded well.
Everton – C
Impressive in Europe but poor in the league, where hopes of a top four finish have quickly faded as they struggle to cope with the fixture pile-up. Eleventh in the league and by no means in danger, but will want to do better.
Hull City – E+
Fresh off the back of a ten game winless run, it’s hard to find many good things to say about Steve Bruce’s Tigers, who were expected to perform much better after spending well in the summer transfer window. Now in the midst of a big relegation battle.
Leicester City – D
Started the season so positively, but have not won since they stunned Manchester United 5-3 – a result that feels like an eternity ago. The Foxes are maligned at the bottom of the table, and will be hoping to become only the third team ever to survive from that position.
Liverpool – D+
Tenth in the league table, out of the Champions League, no goals, manager under pressure and a goalkeeper crisis that has failed to slip under the radar. Not much has gone right for Liverpool this season, but a League Cup quarter-final win and a late draw with Arsenal suggest things are starting to turn around.
Manchester City – B+
Started the season slowly, but are now within three points of Chelsea at the top of the Premier League table. Surprised many people by securing six points from their final two games to progress in Europe, and are now looking at a much happier 2015.
Manchester United – B
Like City, they started the season slowly. But things are steadily improving under Louis van Gaal, with a 4-0 League Cup exit at the hands of MK Dons now thankfully forgotten. Third in the league and coming off the back of a seven match run without defeat.
Newcastle United – B
Were under huge pressure in the first couple of months, with manager Alan Pardew seemingly on the verge of the sack. However, the Magpies turned things around and hurtled up the table in November, and sit a respectable ninth at Christmas.
Queens Park Rangers – C
If they could get two grades, it would be a B at home and an E away, as it is we’ve gone for something in between. Rangers were always going to fight a face for survival, and will be satisfied with sitting in 16th place at Christmas.
Southampton – B+
Started the season brilliantly, and even looked an unlikely contender for the Champions League places as recently as last month. A run of four consecutive defeats have dampened their hopes, but they are still in a highly respectable fifth place as things stand.
Stoke City – C
Have enjoyed some brilliant results, including a win over Man City, but have failed to live up to expectations in many ways, having already lost as many home games this season as they did last. Four points clear of the bottom three, but should be fine.
Sunderland – C+
The + mark was added after this weekend’s win over local rivals Newcastle – only their third of the season in the league. Admittedly, they’ve only lost four games as well, with an incredible ten draws. The 8-0 loss at Southampton and a lack of goals takes them down a peg.
Swansea City – B
Started the season in brilliant form, and have retained a steady consistency ever since. Have rightly never been mentioned as a relegation candidate, and could argue there case for an outside chance at Europe, sitting in eight at the moment.
Tottenham Hotspur – B+
Started slowly under their new manager but have improved in recent weeks, now sitting seventh in the table, level points with Arsenal and within touching distance of the top four. Still in the League Cup, still in Europe, they couldn’t have asked for much more really.
West Bromwich Albion – C
An indifferent season thus far from the Albion, who should have just enough to stay up this year. With an inexperienced manager at Premier League level and a lack of goals that’s probably the best they can hope for.
West Ham United – A
An outstanding start to the season. For the first time in their history they sit in the top four at Christmas, and have real aspirations of scoring a spot in Europe for next season. Plenty of goals, strong at the back, and all a big surprise.
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