Premier League Table: Updated 2014 EPL Standings Following Matchday 4 Results
The Premier League returned to center stage on Saturday following an international break. It didn't take long for the action to heat back up, either. The first match in nearly two weeks featured two top contenders in Arsenal and Manchester City.
A month into the campaign and most clubs are still seeking stability. It's been an often hectic start to the campaign with plenty of late dramatics. Chelsea and Swansea City were the only two sides to emerge with victories in all three matches, and they faced off on Saturday.
Let's check out how the table shapes up following the most recent matches along with the results from each fixture. Both will be updated through the completion of play on Monday. The tables are followed by a recap of the action.
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Premier League Table
| 1 | Chelsea | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 12 |
| 2 | Aston Villa | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 10 |
| 3 | Swansea | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 9 |
| 4 | Southampton | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 7 |
| 5 | Manchester City | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 7 |
| 6 | Tottenham | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7 |
| 7 | Arsenal | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| 8 | Liverpool | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 6 |
| 9 | Manchester United | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 5 |
| 10 | Hull | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| 11 | Everton | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | -1 | 5 |
| 12 | Leicester | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | -1 | 5 |
| 13 | West Ham | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 4 |
| 14 | Stoke | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 4 |
| 15 | Sunderland | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | -1 | 3 |
| 16 | QPR | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -8 | 3 |
| 17 | Crystal Palace | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | -3 | 2 |
| 18 | Burnley | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | -3 | 2 |
| 19 | West Brom | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | -5 | 2 |
| 20 | Newcastle | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | -6 | 2 |
Matchday 4 Results
| Sept. 13 | Arsenal | Manchester City | 2-2 |
| Sept. 13 | Chelsea | Swansea | 4-2 |
| Sept. 13 | Crystal Palace | Burnley | 0-0 |
| Sept. 13 | Southampton | Newcastle | 4-0 |
| Sept. 13 | Stoke | Leicester | 0-1 |
| Sept. 13 | Sunderland | Tottenham | 2-2 |
| Sept. 13 | West Brom | Everton | 0-2 |
| Sept. 13 | Liverpool | Aston Villa | 0-1 |
| Sept. 14 | Manchester United | QPR | 4-0 |
| Sept. 15 | Hull | West Ham | 2-2 |
Week 4 Recap
The opener lived up to the hype. While Arsenal had the better chances in the early going, it was Manchester City striking first. Sergio Aguero took advantage of a brief lapse by the Gunners to break free and score just inside the half-hour mark.
Arsenal fought back in the second half to grab the lead with goals by Jack Wilshere and Alexis Sanchez. The Chilean international's tally was particularly impressive as he timed a volley perfectly to beat a lunging Joe Hart.
They weren't able to hold the lead, however. Poor marking on a City corner allowed Martin Demichelis to find a hole in the Arsenal defense to head home the equalizer inside the final 10 minutes. Neither side was able to secure a late winner.
Arsenal passed along comments from manager Arsene Wenger, who was pleased with the overall effort but disappointed with how they conceded the tying goal:
At Stamford Bridge it was the latest edition of the Diego Costa show. The Chelsea striker scored three straight goals after the Blues had fallen behind 1-0 to lead the comeback charge. The victory moved them atop the table all by themselves.
It's been a remarkable start to Costa's Premier League career. Paul Carr of ESPN notes nobody has matched the effort in more than two decades:
The offensive explosion is expected from Costa and Chelsea. The same usually can't be said for Southampton. But the Saints were on target against Newcastle United as they scored twice in each half to ease past a Toon side that's been sluggish out of the gates.
Joining them in the win column were Everton. Romelu Lukaku scored in the second minute to grab the early edge on West Bromwich Albion and Kevin Mirallas added an insurance marker after halftime. Most importantly, the defensive woes that plagued the side before the international break were cleaned up.
It sounds like a broken record at this point, but the Stoke City attack was once against fruitless. Though they often control possession and create chances, they can't find somebody to score consistently. This time it was Leicester City taking advantage to get their first win of the campaign on a Leonardo Ulloa goal.
Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland played to an entertaining draw. Both sides were on the scoreboard within the first five minutes. Spurs took the lead shortly after the break as Christian Eriksen found the net, but they couldn't hold onto the three points as a late own goal by Harry Kane left the clubs deadlocked.
The tie between Crystal Palace and Burnley didn't feature nearly as much action. The best chance for either side came when Scott Arfield stepped up to the penalty spot in the 85th minute. He was unable to beat Julian Speroni, though. It leaves both sides winless through four matches.
Saturday's action concluded with a clear indication that Liverpool are still a work in progress. Gabriel Agbonlahor scored for Aston Villa inside the first 10 minutes and Brendan Rodgers' group could never get back level.
The Reds have enough talent to make another title push, but after a summer with numerous changes it's going to take time to find top form. That's especially true on the attack, an area that definitely lacked the necessary polish against the Lions.
On Sunday, Manchester United seek to get their first Premier League victory under Louis van Gaal in a clash with Queens Park Rangers. Even though it's far too soon to press the panic button at Old Trafford, the club learned last season that the pressure begins to mount the further they fall behind early on.
Then on Monday, Hull City welcome West Ham United to KC Stadium with hope of bouncing back after a loss to Aston Villa before the international break. The Irons are also coming off a defeat to Southampton, making it a key bounce-back opportunity for both sides.
