The ManicaPost
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool lost 2-0 at Burnley
DID your Premier League team live up to expectations at the weekend?
We’ve asked former England defender and Sky Sports Now guest Stuart Pearce to give each side a grade based on their 90-minute performance over the weekend.
| So how did your team fare? Did they get an A+ or an F, or somewhere in between? |
Burnley – A
It’s an A for Burnley. This was a masterclass in how to motivate your team on a low budget. It was an incredible performance. It was the result of the day for me. I just didn’t see it coming, especially after Liverpool’s start to the season at Arsenal.
Hull – A
It’s a performance that gets an A for me. It’s a great result for Hull. With everything that’s going on at the club, it’s a wonderful result.
Middlesbrough – A-
Aitor Karanka will be delighted. He’s got a valuable three points, but more to the point, Middlesbrough have picked up a win against a side that could be in and around the bottom. I think Boro will finish mid-table this season but other people think they could be in a relegation fight. If you are going to be in the relegation mix, you can’t lose to teams around you. They’ve gone to Sunderland and picked up the three points, which is a great result.
Manchester City – B+
It was a solid performance from City and there’s still more to come. In the past they’ve found it difficult at Stoke, which is always a tough place to go. However, winning 4-1 on the road and with still more to come, it is looking very promising for Pep Guardiola.
Everton – B+
It was a really good victory for Ronald Koeman’s side at West Brom. Tony Pulis’ side are very stodgy and they can really block you up, but Everton overcame that. In years gone by I could have seen Everton only getting a draw in this kind of fixture, so this result is extremely positive for Koeman.
Manchester United – B
There’s plenty of expectation at Old Trafford this season. There will definitely be improvement, that’s for sure, and I think we’ve seen some of that already after just a couple of games. United were expected to win against Southampton but they will have been pleased with the way they got the job done, especially with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and some of their other big names starting well.
Leicester – B
I was at the game and Leicester will be happy with their point. They are the league champions going up against one of the big teams in the country and they get a draw. They got a clean sheet as well, so It’s a B for Claudio Ranieri’s side.
Arsenal – B
It’s a similar story for Arsenal. They’ve gone to the champions and got a point and a clean sheet. They have to be happy with that. I don’t see it being the end of the world for Arsene Wenger and his side. Wenger will be disappointed with some aspects of his side’s performance but he will be delighted his side have opened their account.
West Ham – B-
I had envisaged a more comfortable victory for Slaven Bilic’s side. Bournemouth stayed in the game for so long, but in the end West Ham have a clean sheet, they’ve won the game and it’s a first win in the new stadium. Throw all those things into the mix and it’s a solid result.
Tottenham – C+
I expected more from Spurs and for them to win this more comfortably than they did. However, they got the win with a clean sheet, which is a real bonus for Mauricio Pochettino and his side.
Chelsea – C+
You will always take winning away from home no matter how it comes. Two games, two wins for Chelsea – but the performances have not been great. However, you need the results firstly and then after that the performances need to improve. That’s the way it should work. Antonio Conte will be delighted with six points from his first two Premier League games in charge.
Watford – C+
Watford did well for an hour against Chelsea but that could have been down to Chelsea being a bit hit and miss for the first 60 minutes. They ended up on the losing side but Walter Mazzarri can take some positives, so it’s a C+.
West Brom – C+
For me, West Brom need additions. It’s been a tough summer for Pulis and I think the defeat to Everton shows some of the shortcomings in the squad.
Southampton – C
It was a decent performance for Southampton but it could be a long season for them and their manager Claude Puel. It will be tough for Puel coming into the Premier League with no previous experience of English football. They’ve also lost a few players in the transfer market and that has certainly hurt the team.
Stoke – C-
It’s been a hit and miss start for Stoke so far. It’s tough playing Man City early on, especially in your first home game. Defeat is not a disaster for them but Mark Hughes would have hoped for a bit better.
Bournemouth – C-
There are one or two alarm bells starting to ring for Bournemouth. The new signings have got to show a bit more but it won’t be easy because they are all young players. It’s always tough on the road but in the end they’ve been beaten, so it’s a C-.
Crystal Palace – C-
Alan Pardew will be hugely disappointed with the way his side have started the season. Getting Christian Benteke through the door is a big bonus, though, and they will be hoping he can hit the ground running.
Swansea – C-
It was a disappointing result for Swansea. They would have been expecting so much more, but in the end it’s a really poor result.
You can’t go down after the first two games but wins on the board against your potential relegation rivals are crucial.
Liverpool – D+
Liverpool have dropped three valuable points against a team they would hope to be beating.
The performance wasn’t great. We’ve had more Jekyll and Hyde performances from Jurgen Klopp’s side. You’ve got to put this result down as a D+.
Sunderland – D+
Not only have they lost to their local rivals, they’ve lost to a team that could be in the relegation mix.
It’s a poor result for Sunderland and David Moyes will be hoping to turn things around as quickly as possible at the Stadium of Light. – Online.
