EPL Table: 2015 Premier League Standings After Sunday's Week 1 Matches
West Ham United stunned Arsenal at the Emirates on Sunday in the standout result of the Premier League so far, winning 2-0 as English football came back with a bang.
After a gripping opening day, Slaven Bilic’s side produced a comprehensive display in north London to grasp three points thanks to goals from Cheikhou Kouyate and Mauro Zarate. In addition, Newcastle United and Southampton played out an entertaining 2-2 draw, while Liverpool snatched a late win at Stoke City thanks to a fine Philippe Coutinho.
Here’s a look at how the top flight of English football is shaping up after two days of the opening weekend, with just Manchester City’s visit to West Bromwich Albion to come on Monday evening.
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| 1 | Leicester | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 3 |
| 2 | Crystal Palace | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 3 |
| 3 | West Ham | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 3 |
| 4 | Aston Villa | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 3 |
| 5 | Liverpool | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 3 |
| 6 | Manchester United | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 3 |
| 7 | Everton | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 8 | Swansea | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 9 | Watford | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 10 | Chelsea | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 11 | Southampton | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 12 | Newcastle United | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 13 | Tottenham | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| 14 | Bournemouth | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| 15 | Stoke | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| 16 | Sunderland | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 0 |
| 17 | Norwich | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 0 |
| 18 | Arsenal | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
| 19 | Manchester City | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 20 | West Bromwich Albion | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Arsenal 0-2 West Ham United
With an impressive pre-season under their belt and a new world-class goalkeeper in their ranks, Arsenal were expected to open their account for the campaign with a swagger. But it was Bilic’s vibrant West Ham side who stole the show with an outstanding performance against their London rivals.
A goal each from Kouyate and Zarate either side of the break secured a 2-0 win for the Hammers, who were by far the better side throughout. For the Gunners, it was a torrid day in attack and at the back, but especially for new signing Petr Cech, who was at fault for both goals.
Having been touted as one of the signings of the summer in the build-up to this game, it was a debut the ex-Chelsea man would have wanted to forget and one which left plenty backtracking in their effusive praise, per Bleacher Report UK:
Cech wasn’t the only concern for the Gunners supporters, though. If the team is to challenge for the Premier League title this season then it’s imperative they stiffen up at the back and show more consistency. But the goals for West Ham were soft, avoidable and all too familiar for the Emirates faithful.
Barney Ronay of the Guardian doesn’t think we should be too surprised:
Credit must go to Bilic and his team, though. They rocked up at the Emirates with attacking intent, were organised in defence and there were a selection of standout performances from fresh faces. Angelo Ogbonna was a rock at the back, 16-year-old Reece Oxford was assured in midfield and Dmitri Payet a creative menace.
Newcastle United 2-2 Southampton
St James’ Park was treated to an absorbing opening game of 2015-16, as Newcastle and Southampton played out an entertaining 2-2 draw.
Graziano Pelle gave Saints the lead early on, before Papiss Cisse levelled things up for the hosts three minutes before half-time. Newcastle debutant Georginio Wijnaldum put the hosts ahead just after, but a Shane Long header gave Ronald Koeman’s side a deserved draw 10 minutes from time.
Football journalist Kristan Heneage thinks that there is potential for the Magpies, which is encouraging after the moribund way they finished last season:
The performance of Wijnaldum was especially encouraging. Not only did the Dutch international get on the scoresheet with a tremendous header, but he was a bundle of energy at the heart of the Newcastle midfield. The quality he showcased was an exciting indicator of how astute a signing he is likely to be for the club.
As for Saints, they’ll be happy enough with a draw on the road and in attack they have some very exciting players. But with Morgan Schneiderlin sold to Manchester United, Nathaniel Clyne joining Liverpool and Toby Alderweireld deciding to join Tottenham, they looked a little flimsy in defence.
That’ll be something Koeman will surely look to address in the latter stages of the transfer window, but he’ll be delighted that in Pelle, he has a striker rejuvenated, per Squawka:
Both sides will be pleased enough with a point after a summer of major upheaval. Under the tutelage of Steve McClaren, Newcastle are likely to enjoy a much more stable season and there were signs of promise in this display. Saints may struggle to replicate the heights of last term, but their supporters look set for another exhilarating season on the south coast.
