Barclays Premier League Table: Updated 2014 EPL Outlook After Week 11 Results
For neutrals, a one-horse race for the Premier League title is far from ideal. But unfortunately for those of us who have no allegiances to a title-challenging team, Chelsea continue to preserve a vice-like grip on the top spot in English football's top flight.
Jose Mourinhoโs men took all three points against Liverpool at Anfield after falling behind early on, and it was a performance that reeked of all the requisite qualities that are needed for a team to sit top of the pile come the end of the campaign.
In addition, Chelseaโs biggest challengers for the Premier League dropped more points, as Manchester City could only draw 2-2 with Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road.
But could the Blues have an unlikely challenger on their hands this season? Southampton are still there in the upper reaches 11 games into the campaign, and itโd be mawkish to gloss over their staggering early season achievements.
Hereโs a look at how things are shaping up after Saturdayโs engrossing Week 11 fixtures.
| 1 | Chelsea | 11 | 9 | 2 | 0 | +17 | 29 |
| 2 | Southampton | 11 | 8 | 1 | 2 | +18 | 25 |
| 3 | Manchester City | 11 | 6 | 3 | 2 | +10 | 21 |
| 4 | West Ham | 11 | 5 | 3 | 3 | +5 | 18 |
| 5 | Arsenal | 10 | 4 | 5 | 1 | +7 | 17 |
| 6 | Manchester United | 11 | 4 | 4 | 3 | +3 | 16 |
| 7 | Swansea | 10 | 4 | 3 | 3 | +3 | 15 |
| 8 | Liverpool | 11 | 4 | 2 | 5 | -1 | 14 |
| 9 | Tottenham | 10 | 4 | 2 | 4 | -1 | 14 |
| 10 | Everton | 10 | 3 | 4 | 3 | +2 | 13 |
| 11 | West Bromwich Albion | 10 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 13 |
| 12 | Newcastle United | 10 | 3 | 4 | 3 | -4 | 13 |
| 13 | Stoke | 10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | -2 | 12 |
| 14 | Hull | 11 | 2 | 5 | 4 | -2 | 11 |
| 15 | Sunderland | 10 | 2 | 5 | 3 | -7 | 11 |
| 16 | Aston Villa | 11 | 3 | 2 | 6 | -11 | 11 |
| 17 | Crystal Palace | 11 | 2 | 3 | 6 | -6 | 9 |
| 18 | Leicester | 11 | 2 | 3 | 6 | -7 | 9 |
| 19 | Queens Park Rangers | 11 | 2 | 2 | 7 | -11 | 8 |
| 20 | Burnley | 11 | 1 | 4 | 6 | -13 | 7 |
Chelsea Dominance Goes On
Even though Liverpool have endured a tumultuous beginning to the campaign, going to Anfield and emerging with three points is always exceptionally difficult, even more so when you fall a goal behind early on. But thatโs exactly what Chelsea did in Week 11, strengthening their stranglehold on the Premier Leagueโs top spot in the process.
Goals from Gary Cahill and Diego Costa cancelled out Emre Canโs early deflected finish, and upon going in front, the league leaders rarely looked flustered in front of the baying Kop. Nonetheless, Chelseaโs boss Jose Mourinho is keeping things coy; though BT Sport anchor Jake Humphrey isnโt buying it:
The acquisitions of Costa, Cesc Fabregas and the January signing of Nemanja Matic have expedited this Chelsea teamโs development from a formidable outfit to a footballing force of nature. Theyโre playing with an irrepressible swagger and unerring confidence, characteristics thatโd youโd probably associate with the Liverpool team of last season.
But the Reds are really struggling at the minute, and this match yielded yet another concession of a goal from a set piece. 101 Great Goals offers us an indication of just how deplorable Liverpoolโs defending was for the corner that lead to Cahillโs goal:
Brendan Rodgers will be desperate to get Daniel Sturridge back to fitness, and his reintegration into the fold should give everyone associated with the club a lift. But until Liverpool sort out of their perpetual defensive concerns, itโs difficult to see just how theyโre going to finish in one of the coveted top-four spots come the end of the campaign.
Southampton Looking Like The Real Deal
The bubble on the south coast hasnโt popped yet, as Ronald Koemanโs Southampton team continue to pick up positive results. In Week 11 it was a late brace from Shane Long that saw the Saints past a determined Leicester City outfit, and they remain in second place, four points ahead of Manchester City and four behind Chelsea.
Plenty have marvelled at Southamptonโs attacking talent, with the likes of Graziano Pelle, Dusan Tadic and Long catching the eye especially. But their defence has been magnificent this season, and after 11 games, theyโve only conceded five goals in the Premier League.
It's no surprise that this start is now the finest in the clubโs top flight history, per OptaJoe:
With no other sides in the league finding their rhythm quite yet, Saints have capitalised with distinction. After being touted as potential relegation fodder at the start of the campaign, now a European spot is surely on the cards for Koeman and his side.
Itโll be intriguing to follow their progress in the coming weeks, and with Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United to play in their next four Premier League fixtures, Southampton will be tested. But with neither of the aforementioned trio having found their form quite yet, you suspect this effervescent young side will fancy their chances of keeping this staggering run going.
Manchester City Lacking Rhythm
Manuel Pellegriniโs team served up another disjointed performance on the road in the Premier League, picking up a point at QPR. Things may have even been worse for the champions had Sergio Aguero not been in such prolific form; he netted a magnificent brace to peg the Loftus Road outfit back on two occasions, salvaging a 2-2 draw for the visitors.
City Watch gave us an insight as to what the teamโs tactical plan might be at the moment:
After a loss in the Champions League which makes Cityโs qualification hopes especially unlikely, a win here was critical for Pellegrini. But a point means theyโre now eight behind Chelsea following their win at Anfield, and with the Londoners showing no signs of slowing down, itโs difficult to see how this stuttering City outfit can haul themselves back into the title picture.
It seems that only Aguero is showing his true form in this group at the moment, but as noted here by data analyst Dan Kennett, itโs not as if the champions arenโt creating chances:
The defensive side of this team is definitely a concern too, for without skipper Vincent Kompany in situ for this clash with QPR, there was a dearth in direction and leadership within their back-line. Martin Demichelis is a fine foil for the Belgian but not a defensive leader, while Eliaquim Mangala is struggling to adapt to the ferocious nature of English football.
Itโs imperative Pellegrini turns things round immediately, as Cityโs season is currently teetering on the brink of oblivion. Another poor result in Europe would see their qualification chances dashed, while a loss in the Premier League could see Chelsea disappear over the horizon.
