While the top of the Premier League has seen some order restored, after what was the craziest season in league history, there are a few teams that have gotten off to fast starts that may surprise. Both Burnley and Middlesborough have come up from the EFL Championship and done well so far, with a win each. But it is...
The draw for the Europa League The English Football League Cup third round draw. While the top of the Premier League has seen some order restored, after what was the craziest season in league history, there are a few teams that have gotten off to fast starts that may surprise.
Both Burnley and Middlesborough have come up from the EFL Championship and done well so far, with a win each. But it is Hull City that is taking most of the early plaudits for shock team of the new campaign.
In disarray just weeks before the season was due to begin, the newly-promoted Tigers have rallied to win both games, over Leicester City and Swansea City. Caretaker manager Mike Phelan, who stepped in when Steve Bruce left the team a month ago, has Hull flying high, third in the table going into week three.
But if some stories about Phelan are to be believed, this is not the first time he has a club in the EPL playing attractive football.
It may all come crashing down to earth in the next five match weeks for the Tigers though, as they host Manchester United this week, then host Arsenal and Chelsea with a trip to Liverpool after the International break. But six points out of six, for a team most thought would struggle to get 20 points, may be key at the end of the campaign.
Interesting week two on tap for Premier League, after some opening week surprises
The draws for three of the main competitions, both domestically and continentally, took place over the last three days. The UEFA Champions League and Europa League draws pulled some interesting groups out of the pots. With the news Friday that the top four leagues in Europe will get four group stage spots starting from 2018-2019, it makes the next two seasons' results even more important for the UEFA coefficient.
Wednesday was the draw for the EFL Cup third round. There are some tasty matchups, but the pick of the round came out of the pot last, with Leicester City hosting Chelsea. In all, there are four ties matching EPL teams (Southampton vs. Crystal Palace, Swansea City vs. defending champions Manchester City, Stoke City vs. Hull City.)
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Top Three/Bottom Three Performances of the week
Top Three:
1. Hull City- The story of the first two weeks could get dramatically better Saturday, as the Tigers host Jose Mourinho's Manchester United. But Hull could also come crashing back to earth. Expect the latter.
2. The return to power of the big boys- Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United all won their first two, and are favorites in week three. If all three win, it sets up a momentous clash in week four, after the International break. City travel to United, with Pep Guardiola's charges facing Mourinho's men. The meetings between the two have been stuff of legend, with each getting the better of the other on multiple occasions, with multiple clubs.
3. The promoted clubs make a statement- Middlesborough went to Sunderland and got a huge 2-1 win last week, after a draw against Stoke week one. Four points from two games is a pretty good statement of intent for Aitor Karanka's squad.
Burnley knocked off Liverpool 2-0, a week after Liverpool beat Arsenal. The three promoted clubs have 13 points out of 18, a record start to a season. This could be another season that established teams get relegated, and the promoted teams stick around for another year of EPL football.
Bottom Three:
1. Crystal Palace- The Eagles were soaring last year, with Alan Pardew in charge, all the way up to fifth in the table on New Year's Day. But something happened (maybe that Behind the Badge special on NBCSports) and Crystal Palace's form has turned. In its last 21 EPL matches, since Jan 1 2016, Palace has just two wins and 16 losses (2-5-16.) The Eagles made the F.A. Cup Final, but the dancing of Pardew was not enough to stop a wonder strike from Jesse Lingard, and give the cup to Manchester United for a record 12th time.
It is early enough that Palace can right the ship, but the club just sold Yannick Bolasie to Everton, and there are rumors Wilf Zaha may be sold to Tottenham. If the Eagles do not spend, it could be a long year on relegation watch for the fans.
2- Sunderland- David Moyes has been fired from his last two jobs. One was high profile at Manchester United, while the other was in La Liga with Real Sociedad. He was very bad with both clubs. Now, he is tasked with keeping Sunderland up like the eight other managers since November 30, 2011 have. Two losses to start the year will not inspire much confidence, though.
3. West Ham disaster- The Hammers moved into their gorgeous new stadium, and wanted to show it off to the clubs in Europe. All they had to do was get through the Europa League playoffs, and they would join Europe's elite. With a 1-1 draw away to Romanian side Astra Giurgiu, all West Ham needed was a win at home.
Oops.
For the second year running, the Hammers were knocked out at the final step by the Romanian squad. Astra Giurgiu won 1-0, to advance to Europa League proper, while West Ham is out of Europe once again.
English Premier League is back better than ever for 2016 - 2017
Week Three Picks
Saturday, August 27
7:30 a.m.
Tottenham 2-1 Liverpool
10 a.m.
Chelsea 1-0 Burnley
Crystal Palace 0-0 Bournemouth
Everton 2-2 Stoke City
Leicester City 2-0 Swansea City
Southampton 1-0 Sunderland
Watford 1-1 Arsenal
12:30 p.m.
Hull City 0-2 Manchester United
Sunday, August 28
8:30
West Bromwich Albion 1-0 Middlesborough
11 a.m.
Manchester City 3-1 West Ham United
Contact Sean Miller at seanmillertrentontimes@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @TheProdigalSean