English Premier League Power Poll: Week 3

Three weeks of the season are complete, and now the 20 English Premier League teams head into their first international break. So where do they all stack up?

Chelsea suffered an ugly 4-1 loss to Atletico Madrid last week in the UEFA Super Cup, but the Blues remain the only Premier League team with a 100 percent record in league play.

For now, the Blues are still a Premier League powerhouse, but upstarts like West Bromwich Albion and Swansea are nipping at their heels.

Read on for the full B/R English Premier League Power Poll for Week 3.

Methodology

For these rankings, we instructed the voters to vote based on the "power rankings" style.

What does that mean? That means voters cast their ballots based on which teams they think are best. Results and table position are both important, but the most important question was which teams are best.

Eight B/R personalities voted in this week's poll, and all the votes were counted on a points system. A first-place vote counted as 20 points, a second-place vote as 19 and so on.

 

Explanation of terms

Points: The total number of points the team received via our voters' rankings. A first-place vote counted as 20 points, a second-place vote as 19 and so on.

Last-place votes: The number of last-place votes the team received from our voters.

First-place votes: The number of first-place votes the team received from our voters.

Last week: The team's ranking in last week's poll

Table: The team's position in the English Premier League table, along with its points total. Click here for the full table.

Results: The team's results since our last rankings.

Fixtures: The team's upcoming matches.

Meet the Voters

Aliko Carter: B/R front-page editor. @AlikoCarter

John Greely: B/R front-page editor. @johnwgreely

Adam Hirshfield: B/R deputy editor. @ahirshfield

Dan Levy: B/R national lead writer. @DanLevyThinks

Brad Read: B/R world football newsletter. @ReadBrad

Sean Swaby: B/R featured columnist coordinator. @seanswaby

Will Tidey: B/R world football lead writer and editor. @willtidey

Michael Cummings: B/R world football lead writer. @MikeCummings37

20. Queens Park Rangers

Points: 20

Last-place votes: 4

Last week: 19

Table: 19th, 1 point

Results: Lost 3-1 at Man City

Fixtures: Home to Chelsea, Sept. 15

The good news is that QPR have a bunch of talented new players. The bad news is that they don't know each other at all.

The other good news is that midfielder Joey Barton is gone, shipped off to trouble Marseille on the south coast of France.

Dan: "This club will be a lot of fun to watch...once everyone learns each others' names."

19. Aston Villa

Points: 23

Last-place votes: 2

Last week: 20

Table: 17th, 1 point

Results: Drew 1-1 at Newcastle

Fixtures: Home to Swansea, Sept. 15

Drawing away to Newcastle was a solid result for Aston Villa and new manager Paul Lambert. It didn't seem to impress our voters much, though.

A similar result against Swansea might change a few more minds.

18. Southampton

Points: 25

Last-place votes: 2

Last week: 17

Table: 20th, 0 points

Results: Lost 3-2 home to Man United

Fixtures: At Arsenal, Sept. 15

Southampton are the only Premier League side to have lost all three of their opening matches. And yet they've earned a bit of respect from our voters.

Another tough match awaits: a trip to the Emirates to face Arsenal.

Adam: “They're so much better than their record would indicate. The stats might not back it up, but they thoroughly outplayed United last weekend.”

Sean: “They're the only pointsless side in England so far, yet have somehow managed to impress. They'll stay in the top flight.”

John: “Too many teams bunker down when facing top talent, but Southampton has been going all out.”

17. Reading

Points: 32

Last week: 16

Table: 16th, 1 point

Results: No new results

Fixtures: Home to Spurs, Sept. 16

It seems like forever since Reading lost to Chelsea, and indeed that was the Royals' most recent result.

With only two matches played, Brian McDermott's squad is at a slight disadvantage here, but it's also likely that voters just aren't optimistic about their chances.

16. Liverpool

Points: 36

Last week: 11

Table: 18th, 1 point

Results: Lost 2-0 home to Arsenal

Fixtures: At Sunderland, Sept. 15

It's all going wrong for Brendan Rodgers and Liverpool. The Reds are off to their worst start in literally half a century after failing to win any of their first three matches.

And then there's the mess they've made in the transfer market.

Aliko: “Rodgers admitted he flubbed on the Carroll sale. He thought he could get Dempsey. The American cost Tottenham £6 million. Something tells me Liverpool could have swung that deal. Oh to be a fly on the wall at Anfield.”

John: “About the Arsenal match...it really wasn't that bad. It just wasn't very good either. Who the heck is supposed to score for this team? Their nightmare transfer window could cause major problems until January reinforcements arrive.”

15. Norwich City

Points: 37

Last week: 18

Table: 15th, 2 points

Results: Drew 1-1 at Spurs

Fixtures: Home to West Ham, Sept. 15

Norwich picked up their second point of the season with a dramatic fight-back and Robert Snodgrass' late equalizer at Spurs.

All the same, new manager Chris Hughton still has plenty of work to do if the Canaries are to replicate last season's surprising finish.

14. Tottenham Hotspur

Points: 67

Last week: 10

Table: 14th, 2 points

Results: Drew 1-1 home to Norwich

Fixtures: At Reading, Sept. 16

Spurs keep dropping points, tumbling down the table and falling the B/R power poll.

Oh, and they also keep signing players. If nothing else, it's an exciting time to follow this club.

John: “Another week, another disappointing result at the hands of a late goal. Spurs need to convert more opportunities, and Clint Dempsey may be able to do just that.”

Aliko: “I want to like AVB so badly. He's making it pretty difficult though. Hopefully inserting Clint Dempsey into the lineup with cure what ails the Spurs.”

Sean: “Maybe it wasn't just all those egos at Chelsea, after all, that led to AVB's undoing.”

13. Sunderland

Points: 69

Last week: 13

Table: 13th, 2 points

Results: Drew 2-2 at Swansea

Fixtures: Home to Liverpool, Sept. 15

Steven Fletcher has a long way to go in justifying his hefty transfer fee, but those two goals at Swansea were a great start.

Fortunately, he's not the only talented player in Martin O'Neill's lineup. Just watch: This team is going to sneak up on a few opponents.

12. Stoke City

Points: 71

Last week: 14 (tie)

Table: 12th, 3 points

Results: Drew 2-2 at Wigan

Fixtures: Home to Man City, Sept. 15

Stoke have drawn all three matches this season. So does that make Tony Pulis' side boring or compelling viewing?

Aliko: “After three draws to start the season, Stoke City are officially the blandest side in the EPL.”

John: “Stoke have now drawn 0-0, 1-1, and 2-2. If they go 3-3 against Man City, I've got bingo.”

11. Fulham

Points: 76

Last week: 9

Table: 11th, 3 points

Results: Lost 3-0 at West Ham

Fixtures: Home to West Brom, Sept. 15

It was a gloomy week for Fulham. First they lost Moussa Dembele and Clint Dempsey in the transfer market. Then they lost 3-0 at West Ham.

Up next is a tough home date against West Brom.

Aliko: “Cottagers don't stand much of a chance at contending without Dempsey and Dembele. The January window can't come soon enough.”

10. Wigan Athletic

Points: 83

Last week: 12

Table: 9th, 4 points

Results: Drew 2-2 home to Stoke

Fixtures: At Man United, Sept. 15

Franco Di Santo keeps scoring. Wigan keep picking up points.

We need to check the calendar. Are we sure this isn't spring and the Latics aren't making another thrilling relegation escape?

9. Newcastle United

Points: 100

Last week: 6

Table: 10th, 4 points

Results: Drew 1-1 home to Aston Villa

Fixtures: At Everton, Sept. 17

Drawing at home to Aston Villa was a poor result for Newcastle, but Hatem Ben Arfa's rocket strike was a thing of beauty.

8. West Ham United

Points: 101

Last week: 14 (tie)

Table: 6th, 6 points

Results: Won 3-0 home to Fulham

Fixtures: At Norwich, Sept. 15

West Ham embarrassed Fulham with an effective display of "route one" football, and through three matches, the Hammers have two wins and six points.

The only blemish was a loss to Swansea, but the Swans have been one of the league's most pleasant surprises so far.

West Ham's strong start could continue, too. Up next is a trip to Norwich.

Aliko: “This squad is showing signs of schizophrenia with a dominant win over Fulham after getting trounced by Swansea last week. Hopefully Andy Carroll's presence can calm their nerves.”

6. (tie) Everton

Points: 117

Last week: 3

Table: 7th, 6 points

Results: Lost 2-0 at West Brom

Fixtures: Home to Newcastle, Sept. 17

Everton came crashing back to earth, suffering their first loss of the season to...

...to West Brom?!

John: “Sorry Everton, you can't just expect to waltz into powerhouse West Brom's home pitch and expect to walk away with a victory.”

Aliko: “Their last game was definitely a great win for WBA rather than a bad loss for the Toffees.”

6. (tie) Arsenal

Points: 117

Last week: 8

Table: 8th, 5 points

Results: Won 2-0 at Liverpool

Fixtures: Home to Southampton, Sept. 15

After two scoreless draws to start the season, the Gunners got their season going with an away win at Anfield.

So apparently Arsene still knows and Arsenal now have a stingy defense rather than a toothless offense. Funny how that can happen so quickly.

Dan: “Suddenly they went from a moribund club to a defensive juggernaut. All it took was the same defense and a few goals.”

Sean: “Everyone knew that Arsenal would struggle some to score in the post RvP. Fortunately for the Gunners, so have opponents: Arsenal are the only team yet to concede in the EPL.”

4. (tie) Swansea City

Points: 133

Last week: 5

Table: 2nd, 7 points

Results: Drew 2-2 home to Sunderland

Fixtures: At Aston Villa, Sept. 15

Swansea continue to fly high, but are they getting too close to the sun on their wings of wax? It's still too soon to tell.

Drawing at home to Sunderland wasn't a bad result. The Black Cats have a strong team and will contend for a top-half spot in the table.

But if the Swans want to maintain their lofty position—second in the league!—they'll have to win a match like that at home.

Aliko: “I'm slowly learning to expect the unexpected from this squad.”

John: “Swansea finally faltered vs. Sunderland, but there's no reason for them to drop too far. Another bad result in their next match, though, and it might be time to rethink how impressive wins over West Ham and QPR really are.”

4. (tie) West Bromwich Albion

Points: 133

First-place votes: 1

Last week: 7

Table: 3rd, 7 points

Results: Won 2-0 home to Everton

Fixtures: At Fulham, Sept. 15

West Brom and Swansea both finished with 133 points in our poll. Swansea are higher in the table, but West Brom received a first-place vote after yet another impressive result.

So who voted the Baggies No. 1?

John: “I have West Brom No. 1 and I won't apologize for it. The Baggies have beaten Liverpool and Everton at home, and earned a good draw on the road against Tottenham. No team has done more through three games, and I don't feel comfortable ranking any ahead of WBA at this point.”

3. Manchester United

Points: 138

Last week: 4

Table: 5th, 6 points

Results: Won 3-2 at Southampton

Fixtures: Home to Wigan, Sept. 15

United struggled against Southampton and could count themselves fortunate to escape with a 3-2 win. Robin van Persie's hat trick was certainly jaw-dropping, but it can only cover United's defensive shortcomings for so long.

And yet, the Red Devils moved up a spot in our rankings. Go figure.

Sean: “Sure, United will score plenty. Not to say Southampton haven't impressed so far, but will United be able to recover from ho-hum performances in the back and in the midfield against the EPL's heavyweights?”

John: “On the plus side, RVP is as good as advertised in his new shade of red. The bad news is that United were perilously close to losing to Southampton. That's not acceptable for Sir Alex's squad."

Aliko: “Rooney's return is a ticking time bomb. I doubt he and RvP will be able to coexist successfully. Sir Alex will have some serious choices to make. Until then, more hat tricks, please!”

2. Manchester City

Points: 148

Last week: 2

Table: 4th, 7 points

Results: Won 3-1 home to QPR

Fixtures: At Stoke, Sept. 15

City have defensive problems of their own—five goals conceded, just like United—along with selection headaches up top. Sergio Aguero remains on the sidelines with an injury, and now Mario Balotelli is out after undergoing eye surgery.

No matter, apparently. City still have seven points through three matches, even without playing anything close to their best football.

Aliko: “Balotelli's funky eye problems could spell trouble for City with Aguero out as well. Does Super Mario ever have any 'normal' issues?”

Sean: “A happy, motivated (and slimmer?!) Carlos Tevez could be as important to City's title challenge as the signings of Eden Hazard and Robin van Persie for Chelsea and United, respectively.”

1. Chelsea

Points: 159 

First-place votes: 7 

Weeks atop poll: 2 

Table: 1st, 9 points 

Results: No new results 

Fixtures: At QPR, Sept. 15

Chelsea took the week off from league action to contest the UEFA Super Cup with Atletico Madrid.

Oopsies. The Blues were trounced by a Falcao-inspired Atletico 4-1.

Still, Chelsea are the only Premier League team to have won all three of their opening matches. There really was no other choice for the top spot.

Dan: “We are only counting matches that take place in England, correct?”

Aliko: “Blues can't be punished because they didn't play last week. As of now they're still the class of the Premiership.”

John: “I know the Atletico match wasn't in the Premier League, but that was a top-quality side Chelsea trotted out on Friday. The fact that they got absolutely slaughtered can't be a good sign for the club, and the back line was severely exposed.”

 

Follow @MikeCummings37