Power Rankings: WHU defy odds; Arsenal, Reds fall

Matthew Stead
Liverpool: Fall further behind in the Power Rankings after Norwich disappointment

Liverpool: Fall further behind in the Power Rankings after Norwich disappointment

West Ham, Chelsea, West Brom and Manchester United were the week’s biggest Power Rankings winners, with Arsenal and Liverpool falling behind.

In Power Rankings, we award points from 0.5 to 10, decided by an algorithm based on bookmaker odds and winning margins.

It helps, particularly in the early stages of the season, before every team has played all the others, to highlight the real value of the points won and lost.

West Ham, for example, have 12 points in the actual Premier League table but have 33 in the Power Rankings having won at Arsenal, Liverpool and now Manchester City. For the Irons, this alternative table highlights the true value of the points they’ve won – points that relatively few other teams will get – but also leaves them wondering ‘what if’, with bonus points at Emirates Stadium, Anfield and the Etihad counting for little in reality due to home defeats against Leicester and Bournemouth.

Arsenal and Tottenham on the other hand are down on their real tally, with their victories coming against opponents they were expected to beat. The challenge for these sides will be to take points from their rivals in the top half – something which the Gunners failed to do at the first opportunity against Chelsea.

Week 6

West Ham – 10: A third maximum-points haul of the season for the Hammers after their heroics against Manchester City. They’re the runaway leaders in the Power Rankings after away wins at Arsenal, Liverpool and City, and rightfully so.

Chelsea – 4: The Blues more than double their previous tally in one fell swoop as a 2-0 win over Arsenal earns them a couple of bonus points. They still sit just 15th in both tables, however.

West Brom – 4: Only West Ham produced a bigger shock this weekend, according to the bookmakers. Saido Berahino’s ‘Zinedine Zidane’ flick won the Midlands derby win with Aston Villa.

Manchester United – 3: The Red Devils were narrow favourites to win against Southampton, but they did as such as Anthony Martial continued his fine start to life in the Premier League.

Watford – 3: The newly-promoted side continue to defy the critics, and while Newcastle are not currently the most fearsome of opponents, the Hornets claimed an impressive victory at St James’ Park.

Norwich – 2.5: What a weekend for Russell Martin. The birth of his newborn baby was followed with a deserved equaliser at Anfield, with an impressive Power Rankings haul of 2.5 points sure to be the icing on the cake for the Canaries captain! Had Matt Jarvis converted his gilt-edged chance, Norwich may have gone on to secure a win despite the bookmakers billing them at 5/1.

Bournemouth – 2: While the Cherries were more than worthy of their victory over relegation rivals Sunderland, they headed into the game at Dean Court as odds-on favourites. It showed on the pitch.

Tottenham – 2: Mauricio Pochettino’s side have struggled somewhat in this alternate reality so far this season, and while this was their first home win of the Premier League season against a team which had lost just two away games under manager Alan Pardew, two points is all they receive here for their victory.

Everton – 1.5: The Toffees have been one of the stars of the Power Rankings so far this season, and a battling draw at Swansea means they continue their excellent start to the campaign.

Leicester – 1.5: Yet another comeback under Claudio Ranieri – this against a Stoke side difficult to cope with at the Britannia Stadium – means they are now the only undefeated side in the Premier League after the opening six games.

Stoke – 1: Despite their differing fortunes at the start of the campaign, winless Stoke headed into their clash with unbeaten Leicester as favourites. The Potters looked the live up to that tag early on by taking a two-goal lead, but the Foxes came back to steal a draw.

Swansea – 1: Garry Monk’s side were favourites heading into their clash with Everton, but they will be more than satisfied with a point against the in-form Toffees. A point is what they gain in the Power Rankings, too.

Liverpool – 0.5: Four sides were odds-on to win this weekend: Bournemouth, Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham. Few would have expected the Reds and City to be the two who failed to do so, but more errant finishing costs Brendan Rodgers’ side here.

Arsenal – 0: There are no positives for the Gunners to ascertain after their London derby defeat to Chelsea on Saturday. No points in the Premier League means no points in the Power Rankings.

Aston Villa – 0: A similar situation for Villa, whose Midlands derby loss to West Brom leaves them just one place above the relegation zone, and a place below even that here.

Crystal Palace – 0: Alan Pardew’s phenomenal away record at Crystal Palace suffered a blemish at White Hart Lane as Spurs condemned them to a 1-0 defeat on Sunday.

Manchester City – 0: A first league defeat of the season for Manchester City, who were 1/4 to claim all three points against West Ham. They lose considerable ground on the Hammers in the Power Rankings as a result.

Newcastle – 0: Newcastle are the weeks biggest fallers as they drop three places following their demoralising reverse at home against promoted Watford. That draw with Manchester United in week 3 is keeping them afloat.

Southampton – 0: Saints pay for failing to hold onto their lead against Manchester United. The trend of Premier League away wins continues this season, with four sides winning on their travels this weekend in comparison to three benefiting from home comforts.

Sunderland – 0: Defeat at Bournemouth leaves them bottom of the Premier League table with just two points, while Chelsea’s victory over Arsenal sees Dick Advocaat’s men reprise said role in the Power Rankings version.

Power Rankings

Power Rankings, 2015-16
Team Power Rankings Points Official Points
1. West Ham 33 12
2. Crystal Palace 17 9
= Manchester City 17 15
4. Everton 16 9
5. Swansea City 14 9
6. Leicester City 12.5 12
7. Manchester United 11.5 13
= Norwich City 11.5 8
9. West Brom 11 8
10. Watford 10.5 9
11. Arsenal 7.5 10
= Liverpool 7.5 8
13. Bournemouth 7 7
= Southampton 7 6
15. Chelsea 6.5 7
16. Tottenham 6.5 9
17. Newcastle 6 2
18. Aston Villa 5.5 4
19. Stoke City 5.5 3
20. Sunderland 3.5 2