Premier League Table: Final Week 1 2015 Standings, Results and Week 2 Fixtures
Manchester City flexed their muscles in the final match of the opening round of the Premier League, trouncing West Bromwich Albion 3-0 at the Hawthorns on Monday.
It was the finest performance put in by any of the title challengers in their first match of the season, with Arsenal losing 2-0 to West Ham United, Chelsea drawing 2-2 at home to Swansea and Manchester United grinding out a 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur.
With all 10 games done, here’s how the table looks and a quick glance ahead to the next set of engrossing Premier League fixtures.
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
| 1 | Manchester City | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 | 3 |
| 2 | Leicester | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 3 |
| 3 | Crystal Palace | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 3 |
| 4 | West Ham | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 3 |
| 5 | Aston Villa | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 3 |
| 6 | Liverpool | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 3 |
| 7 | Manchester United | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 3 |
| 8 | Everton | 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 | Swansea | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 14 | Tottenham | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| 15 | Stoke | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| 16 | Bournemouth | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| 17 | Sunderland | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 0 |
| 18 | Norwich | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 0 |
| 19 | Arsenal | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
| 20 | West Bromwich Albion | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 0 |
| Manchester United | 1-0 | Tottenham Hotspur |
| Everton | 2-2 | Watford |
| Bournemouth | 0-1 | Aston Villa |
| Leicester City | 4-2 | Sunderland |
| Norwich City | 1-3 | Crystal Palace |
| Chelsea | 2-2 | Swansea City |
| Arsenal | 0-2 | West Ham United |
| Newcastle United | 2-2 | Southampton |
| Stoke City | 0-1 | Liverpool |
| West Bromwich Albion | 0-3 | Manchester City |
| Friday, August 14 | 7:45 p.m. | Aston Villa vs. Manchester United |
| Saturday, August 15 | 12:45 p.m. | Southampton vs. Everton |
| Saturday, August 15 | 3 p.m. | Watford vs. West Brom |
| Saturday, August 15 | 3 p.m. | Sunderland vs. Norwich City |
| Saturday, August 15 | 3 p.m. | Tottenham vs. Stoke City |
| Saturday, August 15 | 3 p.m. | West Ham vs. Leicester City |
| Saturday, August 15 | 3 p.m. | Swansea City vs. Newcastle |
| Sunday, August 16 | 1:30 p.m. | Crystal Palace vs. Arsenal |
| Sunday, August 16 | 4 p.m. | Manchester City vs. Chelsea |
| Monday, August 17 | 8 p.m. | Liverpool vs. Bournemouth |
City Thrill in Hawthorns Stroll
Going up against a tenacious and cohesive West Brom team on the first day of the Premier League term looked like a difficult challenge for Manchester City. But Manuel Pellegrini’s side never relinquished control of this match and laid down an early marker of their title credentials with a powerful performance.
David Silva, Yaya Toure and skipper Vincent Kompany grabbed the goals in an easy 3-0 win, but it was the former who caught the eye with a typically majestic performance. Oliver Holt of the Mail on Sunday had high praise for the Spanish international:
It’s easy to get enchanted watching Silva play football, and this was certainly one of those nights. He floated across the Hawthorns turf with a languid grace, but that was juxtaposed by a devilish purpose in every one of the forward passes he plays. West Brom simply had no answer to his serene playmaking skills.
In the last half hour, with a three-goal lead intact, City definitely took their foot off the gas, and it’s little wonder with the Blues facing a vital clash against Chelsea on Sunday. It’s an early chance for City to land one on their title rivals, and after their victory at the Hawthorns, Kompany was already looking ahead to that titanic tussle:
There are plenty who will argue that an early win for either side wouldn’t be decisive in that encounter, but so often in a title tilt it’s the side that emerges from these direct matches that eventually wins the league. City will be acutely aware of that fact, as will their supporters, so expect a special atmosphere for this one at the Etihad Stadium.
Chelsea and Arsenal Toil
The two London clubs were many supporters’ tip to go on and secure Premier League glory this season, but both struggled to midtable opposition at home on the opening day.
On Saturday, Chelsea were lethargic and uninventive in their 2-2 draw with Swansea City, with the visitors more than worthy of a point. Jose Mourinho will have to do without goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois next time out too, as he was sent off for some rash judgement and a poor challenge.
As we can see courtesy of Squawka Football, pre-season suggested the Blues might struggle early on:
They weren’t quite as poor as Arsenal, though. The Gunners were all too familiarly tepid in their 2-0 loss to West Ham United, with the Hammers well worth the three points. They too suffered with goalkeeping issues, as the experienced and much-heralded Petr Cech endured a disaster of a debut.
Cech was at fault for both West Ham goals on the day, but he wasn’t the only player not pulling his weight in a performance that was jaded and dull from Arsenal.
Miguel Delaney of ESPN FC thinks the manner of the defeat was typical of the Gunners:
Things don’t get easier for either side in Week 2 either. The Blues will face a massive challenge if they’re to secure their first win of the season as they travel to a City team that’ll be hugely confident after Monday’s result, while the Gunners make the trip south to face a rejuvenated Crystal Palace.
They’re matches that’ll be undeniably difficult, but after opening day disappointments, it’ll be a perfect opportunity for both sides to reassert their championship credentials with a flourish.
