Ranking All 20 Premier League Teams’ Performances on Matchday 7

Alexander Isak (left) and Bruno Fernandes had very different weekends. | Marc Atkins/Getty Images (Isak), Mark Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto/Getty Images (Fernandes)This was a Premier League weekend of landmarks.

This was a Premier League weekend of landmarks.

Chelsea kept their first top-flight clean sheet since January; Dejan Kulusevski played his first Tottenham Hotspur match in 526 days; Manchester United had their first “fresh start” since midweek and Enzo Maresca became the first manager to win his opening seven Premier League games at a new club—ever.

Chelsea kept their first top-flight clean sheet since January; Dejan Kulusevski played his first Tottenham Hotspur match in 526 days; Manchester United had their first “fresh start” since midweek and Enzo Maresca became the first manager to win his opening seven Premier League games at a new club—ever.

It remains to be seen what fragments of history are preserved once Manchester City’s ongoing battle with the Premier League is brought to a merciful conclusion. But amid this legal limbo, the action on the pitch is the only solid ground we have to stand on.

It remains to be seen what fragments of history are preserved once Manchester City’s ongoing battle with the Premier League is brought to a merciful conclusion. But amid this legal limbo, the action on the pitch is the only solid ground we have to stand on.

Sunderland are struggling to balance Europe and the Premier League. | Ryan Pierse/Getty ImagesKevin Danso’s 17th-minute red card can only partly be used as mitigation for this desperate implosion. Sunderland were already 1–0 down (thanks in part to a Danso blunder) and could have conceded another by the time the defender was dismissal. “If I have to be honest with you, we are not good,” the Black Cats fullback Nordi Mukiele damningly admitted. “Maybe because we became arrogant, maybe. This is what I think.”

Kevin Danso’s 17th-minute red card can only partly be used as mitigation for this desperate implosion. Sunderland were already 1–0 down (thanks in part to a Danso blunder) and could have conceded another by the time the defender was dismissal. “If I have to be honest with you, we are not good,” the Black Cats fullback Nordi Mukiele damningly admitted. “Maybe because we became arrogant, maybe. This is what I think.”

This was a day for Pierre Sage to forget as swiftly as he can. | Sebastian Frej/Getty ImagesPierre Sage summed it up pretty succinctly: “My feeling after the game is shame.” It would have been a common sensation in the Crystal Palace locker room.

Pierre Sage summed it up pretty succinctly: “My feeling after the game is shame.” It would have been a common sensation in the Crystal Palace locker room.

There were no goals for Hull City. | Jacques Feeney/Offside/Getty Images“It’s easy to analyze this game,” Hull City boss Sergej Jakirović quietly fumed. “We were out of everything.”The Tigers were dutifully outshot, outrun and out-thought by their under-pressure hosts. Fulham dominated every conceivable aspect of the contest, making a mockery of their 1–0 margin of victory. Jakirović offered a more telling reflection that the scoreline: “It was men against boys.”

“It’s easy to analyze this game,” Hull City boss Sergej Jakirović quietly fumed. “We were out of everything.”The Tigers were dutifully outshot, outrun and out-thought by their under-pressure hosts. Fulham dominated every conceivable aspect of the contest, making a mockery of their 1–0 margin of victory. Jakirović offered a more telling reflection that the scoreline: “It was men against boys.”

This was not a fun one for those from Tyneside. | Stu Forster/Getty ImagesThis was an damning contrast of control and chaos for Newcastle United. While Aston Villa played with the collective calm of a team benefitting from a three-second radio delay, the Magpies were left to thrash around in real time, haphazardly haring about the place, never too near to goal. For a team that is so willfully gung-ho, and spent more than $225 million on forwards in less than two years, Newcastle were left to rely upon the 6'7" merchant of chaos, Dan Burn, as a late striker option.“We were not smart enough,” Matthias Jaissle curtly concluded.

This was an damning contrast of control and chaos for Newcastle United. While Aston Villa played with the collective calm of a team benefitting from a three-second radio delay, the Magpies were left to thrash around in real time, haphazardly haring about the place, never too near to goal. For a team that is so willfully gung-ho, and spent more than $225 million on forwards in less than two years, Newcastle were left to rely upon the 6'7" merchant of chaos, Dan Burn, as a late striker option.“We were not smart enough,” Matthias Jaissle curtly concluded.

Frank Lampard had an unfamiliar feeling in north London. | Marc Atkins/Getty ImagesDuring Frank Lampard’s playing days at Chelsea, Tottenham’s home ground was uncharitably known as “Three Point Lane” rather than White Hart Lane, such was the lopsided nature of the London rivalry at the time. Lampard’s Coventry City left the capital with zero points on Monday after failing to capitalize upon a strong start and fast finish to a night of rare euphoria for the hosts.

During Frank Lampard’s playing days at Chelsea, Tottenham’s home ground was uncharitably known as “Three Point Lane” rather than White Hart Lane, such was the lopsided nature of the London rivalry at the time. Lampard’s Coventry City left the capital with zero points on Monday after failing to capitalize upon a strong start and fast finish to a night of rare euphoria for the hosts.

Harrison Armstrong (left) got his manager’s approval if not the referee’s. | Mike Morese/MI News/NurPhoto/Getty ImagesIt says everything that David Moyes hailed Harrison Armstrong’s crunching challenge on Josh Acheampong as “the best part” of the goalless first half.Considering the Toffees conceded two cheap goals while taking just two shots in a tame second 45 minutes, that tackle was probably the highlight of Moyes’s afternoon. And it was a foul.

It says everything that David Moyes hailed Harrison Armstrong’s crunching challenge on Josh Acheampong as “the best part” of the goalless first half.Considering the Toffees conceded two cheap goals while taking just two shots in a tame second 45 minutes, that tackle was probably the highlight of Moyes’s afternoon. And it was a foul.

Referee John Brooks decided the game. | Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Getty ImagesThis game swung violently on the tamest act that could conceivably be deemed as violent conduct. Yehor Yarmoliuk’s timid brush of his head toward Jérémy Jacquet warranted the red card which it received, although his battling teammates scarcely deserved the change in momentum they would be unable to control thereafter.

This game swung violently on the tamest act that could conceivably be deemed as violent conduct. Yehor Yarmoliuk’s timid brush of his head toward Jérémy Jacquet warranted the red card which it received, although his battling teammates scarcely deserved the change in momentum they would be unable to control thereafter.

Zian's second goal for Town. 👊 pic.twitter.com/eRB81mBOQI

“The aim was to come here and cause them problems and get points,” Dara O’Shea reflected. Ipswich achieved half of that, bloodying Manchester City’s nose without coming too close to getting that knockout blow.

“The aim was to come here and cause them problems and get points,” Dara O’Shea reflected. Ipswich achieved half of that, bloodying Manchester City’s nose without coming too close to getting that knockout blow.

🎯 "DCL WITH A CLINICAL FINISH!" pic.twitter.com/ScKix8gXjO

It says plenty about where Leeds are at that Daniel Farke could come away from a draw with Manchester United and be justifiably disappointed with a point. Yet, this was not a case of wasted chances or bad luck. Leeds played the occasion rather than the opposition in the first half, timidly prodding at a United side very much there for the taking. As underwhelming as the visitors have been, even this iteration of the Red Devils can’t be given a 45-minute head start and still lose.

It says plenty about where Leeds are at that Daniel Farke could come away from a draw with Manchester United and be justifiably disappointed with a point. Yet, this was not a case of wasted chances or bad luck. Leeds played the occasion rather than the opposition in the first half, timidly prodding at a United side very much there for the taking. As underwhelming as the visitors have been, even this iteration of the Red Devils can’t be given a 45-minute head start and still lose.

Back-to-back #PL goals for @BMbeumo19 ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/tWTDqIXc3i

The bright lights perennially beaming down upon Manchester United seem to be more blinding than most. A much-improved display against Atlético Madrid inspired Lisandro Martínez to give Jason Wilcox a public job review. A performance at Elland Road worthy of little more than a disinterested shrug somehow convinced Michael Carrick to hail a “fresh start.”There was a fresh tactical approach which spelled out United’s place in the current hierarchy. Carrick didn’t deploy a new formation so much as set his players with 11 individual tasks, each one predicated on what their Leeds counterparts were doing at that exact moment. This grand show of inferiority did not tighten a leaky rearguard or improve their porous press but it did at least get a point.

The bright lights perennially beaming down upon Manchester United seem to be more blinding than most. A much-improved display against Atlético Madrid inspired Lisandro Martínez to give Jason Wilcox a public job review. A performance at Elland Road worthy of little more than a disinterested shrug somehow convinced Michael Carrick to hail a “fresh start.”There was a fresh tactical approach which spelled out United’s place in the current hierarchy. Carrick didn’t deploy a new formation so much as set his players with 11 individual tasks, each one predicated on what their Leeds counterparts were doing at that exact moment. This grand show of inferiority did not tighten a leaky rearguard or improve their porous press but it did at least get a point.

Noni delivers the defining moment 🎯 pic.twitter.com/c8o1UErdlJ

The James Bond villain Auric Goldfinger tells 007: “Once is happenstance. Twice is a coincidence. Three times is enemy action.” Arsenal were their own worst enemies for the third match in succession at the City Ground.Just as in the wins over Leeds and Lille, Mikel Arteta’s champions didn’t bother turning up for the opening hour. Just as in those narrow victories, the team’s substitutes inspired a win which didn’t offer an overwhelming amount of confidence.Arteta has publicly vaunted the positives of this sequence, namely Arsenal’s strength in depth and an ability to “manage the emotional part” of matches. Yet, if fans hope to endure any overriding emotions aside from frustration (followed by relief) it may be an idea to start brightly for once.

The James Bond villain Auric Goldfinger tells 007: “Once is happenstance. Twice is a coincidence. Three times is enemy action.” Arsenal were their own worst enemies for the third match in succession at the City Ground.Just as in the wins over Leeds and Lille, Mikel Arteta’s champions didn’t bother turning up for the opening hour. Just as in those narrow victories, the team’s substitutes inspired a win which didn’t offer an overwhelming amount of confidence.Arteta has publicly vaunted the positives of this sequence, namely Arsenal’s strength in depth and an ability to “manage the emotional part” of matches. Yet, if fans hope to endure any overriding emotions aside from frustration (followed by relief) it may be an idea to start brightly for once.

Liam Delap had no shortage of spurned chances. | Robbie Jay Barratt/AMA/Getty ImagesThis was an 80-minute masterpiece in how to play Arsenal from Nottingham Forest. Martin Ødegaard was put in a jail of red fabric, Bukayo Saka shunted to the fringes and Eberechi Eze bulldozed into a halftime withdrawal. Matz Sels didn’t even have to make a save. Unfortunately, Forest’s goalkeeper would end the game without denying Arsenal’s only shot on target, which was diverted by a cruel double deflection.The only criticism for Oliver Glasner’s side was a familiar one: no clinical composure. It’s now more than eight hours of soccer since Forest last scored a goal in front of their home fans.

This was an 80-minute masterpiece in how to play Arsenal from Nottingham Forest. Martin Ødegaard was put in a jail of red fabric, Bukayo Saka shunted to the fringes and Eberechi Eze bulldozed into a halftime withdrawal. Matz Sels didn’t even have to make a save. Unfortunately, Forest’s goalkeeper would end the game without denying Arsenal’s only shot on target, which was diverted by a cruel double deflection.The only criticism for Oliver Glasner’s side was a familiar one: no clinical composure. It’s now more than eight hours of soccer since Forest last scored a goal in front of their home fans.

Everyone wants to do the Isak celebration. pic.twitter.com/DqyWgNnxKn

Andoni Iraola may have been more concerned with the two players who ended the match in the treatment room, but there was plenty of positives for the Reds to take from a win that has to be put in the context of Yehor Yarmoliuk’s first-half red card.Alexander Isak got another goal, Jérémy Jacquet looked even more imperious than Virgil van Dijk and Florian Wirtz was a central creative hub, misleading statistics or not.

Andoni Iraola may have been more concerned with the two players who ended the match in the treatment room, but there was plenty of positives for the Reds to take from a win that has to be put in the context of Yehor Yarmoliuk’s first-half red card.Alexander Isak got another goal, Jérémy Jacquet looked even more imperious than Virgil van Dijk and Florian Wirtz was a central creative hub, misleading statistics or not.

Manzambi at St. James' Park for the Villa 😏 pic.twitter.com/4PR6McfDs4

This serene away win was made all the sweeter by the goalscorer. Newcastle had reportedly agreed a fee for Johan Manzambi only to be gazumped by Aston Villa a few days later this summer. Naturally, the Swiss World Cup star scored the game’s only goal at St James’ Park.

This serene away win was made all the sweeter by the goalscorer. Newcastle had reportedly agreed a fee for Johan Manzambi only to be gazumped by Aston Villa a few days later this summer. Naturally, the Swiss World Cup star scored the game’s only goal at St James’ Park.

"I had to wait for my moment” 💫 🩵 @PhilFoden pic.twitter.com/WcS1MFemtq

“Bananas, no bananas, it makes no difference to me,” Ipswich manager Gary O’Neil sighed. It would appear to make no difference to Manchester City either.Putting aside the tumultuous off-field machinations clanking around in the background, Enzo Maresca has set about constructing one of the best starts the Premier League has ever seen. City were not as faultless as their record may suggest against Ipswich—they have an odd habit of delivering more porous displays at the Etihad this term—but when there is a striker as remorselessly relentless as this current iteration of Erling Haaland, the league leaders don’t look like slipping on a banana peel just yet.

“Bananas, no bananas, it makes no difference to me,” Ipswich manager Gary O’Neil sighed. It would appear to make no difference to Manchester City either.Putting aside the tumultuous off-field machinations clanking around in the background, Enzo Maresca has set about constructing one of the best starts the Premier League has ever seen. City were not as faultless as their record may suggest against Ipswich—they have an odd habit of delivering more porous displays at the Etihad this term—but when there is a striker as remorselessly relentless as this current iteration of Erling Haaland, the league leaders don’t look like slipping on a banana peel just yet.

Dejan Kulusevski is back 💪 pic.twitter.com/RtkOf27NxY

This was like being briefly transported back to May 2025. James Maddison was scoring goals, Dejan Kulusevski was on the pitch and Tottenham were winning home matches. There’s been three managers, 20 signings, a new institutional figurehead and more than $700 million spent but Spurs finally got back to that hazy memory of better days.Roberto De Zerbi’s side did their best to delay this gratification for that little bit longer against Coventry, starting shakily before a nervy conclusion was mercifully spared by an increasingly common phenomena, a Ben Davies goal.

This was like being briefly transported back to May 2025. James Maddison was scoring goals, Dejan Kulusevski was on the pitch and Tottenham were winning home matches. There’s been three managers, 20 signings, a new institutional figurehead and more than $700 million spent but Spurs finally got back to that hazy memory of better days.Roberto De Zerbi’s side did their best to delay this gratification for that little bit longer against Coventry, starting shakily before a nervy conclusion was mercifully spared by an increasingly common phenomena, a Ben Davies goal.

Ice cool from our number nine 🧊His third goal in as many games 🇧🇷 🙌 pic.twitter.com/8w5teBlLEi

Marco Rose put Bournemouth’s rampant victory down to “mentality.” The Cherries were unified in one mindset of barreling straight through their limp-wristed visitors to earn a laughably one-sided win. Bournemouth racked up 29 shots to Sunderland’s three, amassed an outrageous xG of 4.23 to 0.07 and set up camp inside the opposition’s penalty area with 56 touches.

Marco Rose put Bournemouth’s rampant victory down to “mentality.” The Cherries were unified in one mindset of barreling straight through their limp-wristed visitors to earn a laughably one-sided win. Bournemouth racked up 29 shots to Sunderland’s three, amassed an outrageous xG of 4.23 to 0.07 and set up camp inside the opposition’s penalty area with 56 touches.

Chelsea's track jacket is straight out of the 90s. pic.twitter.com/Q1PmbwP7Mc

“Today was not just about playing nice football,” Xabi Alonso reflected. Very little nice football was played by either side in an arm wrestle of a game defined by Emiliano Martínez’s concerning head injury.Yet, Chelsea’s ability to win in ugly circumstances will be a minor triumph for Alonso, who has seen his side’s scintillating attacking play countered by a flimsy rearguard. “We needed a result like this,” the manager pointed out after Chelsea racked up the club’s first Premier League clean sheet at the 24th attempt.

“Today was not just about playing nice football,” Xabi Alonso reflected. Very little nice football was played by either side in an arm wrestle of a game defined by Emiliano Martínez’s concerning head injury.Yet, Chelsea’s ability to win in ugly circumstances will be a minor triumph for Alonso, who has seen his side’s scintillating attacking play countered by a flimsy rearguard. “We needed a result like this,” the manager pointed out after Chelsea racked up the club’s first Premier League clean sheet at the 24th attempt.

Alex Iwobi scored Fulham’s winner. | Alex Pantling/Getty ImagesÁlvaro Arbeloa needed this. After six winless games to start his managerial career in the Premier League, the former Real Madrid manager was staring down the barrel of a swift dismissal. Fulham belatedly got that win and with a performance which vindicated all Arbeloa’s stubborn beliefs.“Today was finally the day,” he smiled.

Álvaro Arbeloa needed this. After six winless games to start his managerial career in the Premier League, the former Real Madrid manager was staring down the barrel of a swift dismissal. Fulham belatedly got that win and with a performance which vindicated all Arbeloa’s stubborn beliefs.“Today was finally the day,” he smiled.

It doesn’t get much better than this for Brighton. | Rob Newell/CameraSport/Getty ImagesThis was a symphony from Brighton. Five goals, one of which was a contender for the best of this season or any other, against your chief rivals is a day to savor. As poor as Crystal Palace were, this was a moment to celebrate the Seagulls, whose scoring blitz ensured that only Barcelona have racked up more goals across all competitions this season.“We have to stay very humble,” Fabian Hürzeler insisted without much success. “I’m more happy that the fans have a good night out.” That part he could at least count on.

This was a symphony from Brighton. Five goals, one of which was a contender for the best of this season or any other, against your chief rivals is a day to savor. As poor as Crystal Palace were, this was a moment to celebrate the Seagulls, whose scoring blitz ensured that only Barcelona have racked up more goals across all competitions this season.“We have to stay very humble,” Fabian Hürzeler insisted without much success. “I’m more happy that the fans have a good night out.” That part he could at least count on.

Published 4 minutes ago | Modified 4 minutes agoGREY WHITEBLOOMGrey Whitebloom is an Associate Editor for SI FC. He has more than half a decade of experience in sports media across all its various guises, from the fast-paced demands of news articles and match reports to in-depth research required for features. Whitebloom graduated with a First Class Honours from University College London and found himself named on the Dean’s List—which, despite his initial fears, was a form of praise rather than a punishment. He specialises in the Premier League and Champions League, while also boasting an extensive track record of La Liga coverage.