The 10 Most Surprising Performances in the Premier League so Far
One of the Premier League’s greatest facets is its ability to surprise.
Last year it was Harry Kane’s breakout season. The year before was Liverpool’s sudden rise to title challengers.
Some 11 games into the 2015-16 Premier League season, the league is once again producing the most unexpected of curve balls.
We have included teams and players in this ranked list and have taken into consideration status and pre-season expectations of those selected.
Will Chelsea’s capitulation top the list, or will Leicester City’s blistering start to life under Claudio Ranieri see them ranked No. 1?
10. Anthony Martial
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Nobody doubted Anthony Martial’s talent when Manchester United signed him from Monaco in September.
It was the price tag that bewildered many.
Just 19 years old, Martial became football’s most expensive teenager when he joined United for £36 million, a fee that may reach £58 million. And those who thought Louis van Gaal would ease him into the physical Premier League were very much mistaken.
Martial has become an integral part of United’s attack, so much so that Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew’s top priority in last Saturday’s game against United was to stifle Martial.
“We didn’t give Martial an inch today,” said Pardew after the 0-0 draw, per the Daily Mail. “We felt that if we could stop him, we could stop their creative angle.”
Martial has netted three goals and assisted one in seven games. He has been United’s best player this season, according to WhoScored, and ranks second to Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez in dribbles per game.
Several players need time to adjust to the rigours of the Premier League, but Martial isn’t one.
9. Stoke City’s Attack
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When Stoke City signed Xherdan Shaqiri and Ibrahim Afellay to go with the sublime Bojan, it was normal to expect Stoke’s attack to be one of the most lethal in the league.
That attacking trio would not look out of place at either of the Manchester clubs, so that they are now playing for perennial mid-table finishers Stoke shows how big a coup they are for the Potters.
The results, however, have not proven fruitful.
Shaqiri and Afellay are yet to score in the league, and Stoke rank last in goals scored, scoring just nine times in 11 games.
Four different players have scored for Mark Hughes’ side in the league. By contrast, Manchester City boast 12 different scorers.
Stoke’s three most talented players need to start playing to their potential if Stoke are to challenge for a Europa League spot.
8. Aston Villa
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When Tim Sherwood rescued Aston Villa from relegation last season, the expectation was for Villa to build on the energy Sherwood had instilled and make a march towards the top half of the table.
Now, 11 games into the 2015-16 season and Sherwood is no longer at the club while Villa languish at the foot of the table.
It was always going to be difficult to replace Fabian Delph and Christian Benteke, both of whom departed in the summer, but that’s not to say Villa didn’t try. They spent £46.52 million in the transfer window on seemingly solid acquisitions.
Jordan Ayew, Jordan Amavi, Scott Sinclair, Adama Traore and Micah Richards were among the players to join.
But Villa’s new-look squad has failed to produce, Monday’s 3-1 defeat at Tottenham their seventh successive defeat and ninth in 11 games.
Former Lyon manager Remi Garde was appointed the new manager on Monday with the target of steering Villa away from the relegation zone. It’s the same scenario Sherwood faced when he was appointed Villa manager midway through last season.
Maybe one day a new manager will arrive to a more pleasant environment.
7. Chris Smalling
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While Manchester United’s attack has been impotent, their defence has been incredibly stingy.
Chris Smalling’s terrific displays at the heart of United’s back four have helped Louis van Gaal’s team thwart the likes of Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Everton.
United have conceded the fewest number of goals and Smalling hasn’t missed a single minute. The influence is obvious.
A liability at times in previous years, Smalling has been one of United’s most reliable players this season, his assuredness and confidence leading to Van Gaal claiming the 25-year-old will one day captain United, per Sky Sports.
| Season | Appearances | Tackles | Interceptions | Clearances |
| 2015-16 | 11 | 2.2 | 1.8 | 6.5 |
| 2014-15 | 21(4) | 1.4 | 2.3 | 6.2 |
| 2013-14 | 21(4) | 1.7 | 1 | 7.2 |
| 2012-13 | 10(5) | 1 | 1.1 | 5.4 |
| 2011-12 | 14(5) | 0.9 | 1.3 | 5 |
| 2010-11 | 11(5) | 1.4 | 1.3 | 6.5 |
From being called “stupid” by Van Gaal for last year’s red card against City, per the BBC, to potentially following in the footsteps of Bobby Charlton, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona and Wayne Rooney as a United captain. That’s some rise.
Stats per WhoScored. Brackets indicate substitute appearances. Tackles, interceptions and clearances per game.
6. Watford
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Both times Watford have been promoted to the Premier League, in 1999 and 2006, they’ve been relegated the following season.
But their third attempt at staying for more than one season has got off to a promising start.
The Hornets sit 11th in the league and are closer in points to third-placed Leicester City than they are to the relegation zone.
Watford’s success—they secured their fourth win of the season on Saturday—is built on an efficient attack and a sturdy defence, a perfect combination in the Premier League.
Odion Ighalo has been the standout performer, scoring seven and assisting two, while Troy Deeney and Heurelho Gomes have also contributed to the team’s fast start.
Gomes, often a laughing stock during his time with Tottenham, has been the best goalkeeper in the league, according to WhoScored.
Gomes has kept five clean sheets and Watford have won four of their last seven games. Continue like this and Watford’s one-and-done curse will be over.
5. Eden Hazard
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From being named PFA Player of the Year to being substituted after 58 minutes with Chelsea drawing 1-1 with Liverpool on Saturday.
It’s been a miserable season for Eden Hazard, his struggles coinciding with Chelsea’s pitiful campaign. The Belgian’s confidence is shot, and the artistry that fooled so many defences last season is nowhere to be seen.
Hazard’s inexplicable regression is not only surprising, it’s also worrying for a player who is allegedly dreaming of a move to Real Madrid in the near future.
Madrid is the last place Hazard will find himself if his form doesn’t improve.
Hazard's league stats at this stage last season:
| Season | Goals | Dribbles | Pass Accuracy |
| 2014-15 | 3 | 89 | 89% |
| 2015-16 | 0 | 55 | 86% |
The sooner Hazard returns to the level that earned him a nomination on this year’s Ballon d’Or shortlist, the better. Not just for Chelsea’s sake but for his own.
Stats per Sky Sports.
4. Jamie Vardy
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On April 28, 2012, Jamie Vardy played for Fleetwood Town in a 2-0 loss to Luton Town.
On October 31, 2015, he extended his lead at the top of the Premier League goalscoring chart by scoring for Leicester City against West Brom.
It’s an incredible rags-to-riches story for Vardy, who has gone from non-league football to playing for England in little over three years.
His goal against West Brom was his 11th of the season and meant he became the third player to score in eight consecutive Premier League games, joining Ruud van Nistelrooy and Daniel Sturrdge in achieving the feat.
If he continues his goalscoring form, he’ll spearhead England’s attack at next summer’s European Championships. Not bad for a player who was playing for FC Halifax Town five years ago.
3. West Ham United
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When a new manager arrives, clubs often experience a transitional phase where results stutter as the players adjust to a new scheme (see: Manchester United).
That’s not been the case at West Ham, where Slaven Bilic’s new-look team sit fifth in the table and have Europe in their sights.
Gone are the days where the Hammers played dull, uninspiring football. Bilic has brought excitement to east London with midfielder Dimitri Payet the star of the show.
Although it’s away from Upton Park where West Ham have truly thrived. They’ve stunned Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City on their travels, while last month’s home win against Chelsea proved that West Ham are no fluke.
Under Bilic, West Ham are the real deal.
2. Leicester City
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Their top striker has already received a mention, but it’s impossible to exclude Leicester City from this list.
Last season Leicester finished six points above the relegation zone. Currently, they are three points behind table-toppers Manchester City.
Only City have scored more goals than Leicester’s 23. They’ve tasted defeat just once all season, that loss coming against title challengers Arsenal.
According to WhoScored, Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy have been the best players in the Premier League so far, the pair combining for 18 goals and six assists.
Leicester won’t finish in the top four, but they can wipe away any pre-season fears of relegation. They’ve built a platform whereby they can focus on competing for a Europa League berth, lure players in future transfer windows and perhaps enjoy an FA Cup run.
They would top this list but for the incredible season the No. 1-ranked team are having.
Claudio Ranieri replaced Nigel Pearson as the Foxes’ manager in the summer, a choice many thought was an uninspired one. Former Leicester player Gary Lineker tweeted: “Claudio Ranieri? Really?”
Let’s hope Lineker is enjoying his humble pie.
1. Chelsea
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Chelsea’s defence of the Premier League title has been an unmitigated disaster.
The Blues lie 15th in the Premier League, their 13-year stay in the Champions League in serious jeopardy.
Manager Jose Mourinho is on the hot seat, but that’s not his only concern. The 52-year-old is writing cheques to the FA on a seemingly weekly basis and may appear in court for his involvement in the Eva Carneiro case.
Mourinho’s control of matters on the pitch is little better. On his Sunday Sportsweek show the BBC’s Garry Richardson claimed that a Chelsea player said: “I’d rather lose than win for [Mourinho].”
Talk about losing the dressing room.
Saturday’s 3-1 loss at home to Liverpool was Chelsea’s sixth of the season. Mourinho has never lost more than six games in a Premier League season, but that record will be shattered this year.
Chelsea after 11 games in 2014-15 and 2015-16:
| Season | Games | Goals | Wins | Draws | Defeats | Points | Position |
| 2014-15 | 11 | 29 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 29 | 1st |
| 2015-16 | 11 | 16 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 11 | 15th |
John Terry’s legs have gone. Eden Hazard can kiss goodbye to a dream move to Real Madrid on current form. Diego Costa looks more interested in starting a fight than scoring a goal.
If Chelsea qualify for next season’s Champions League, it may well go down as the Special One’s greatest achievement.
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