Premier League clubs upsetting the balance

The phrase ‘There are no easy games in the Premier League’ isn’t just a cliché. It has been clearly visible this season how clubs like Nottingham Forest, Brentford, Bournemouth, Brighton and Hove Albion and Fulham have punched above their weight to the surprise of everyone. For context, the gap between third place and eleventh place is a mere three points with four teams on 19 points, next three on 18 points and next two on 16 points, it’s that tight in the top half of the Premier League table right now. 

Let’s take a look at how these clubs have upset the balance and impacted the League table so far – 

Nottingham Forest on fire!

Nottingham Forest has been on fire this season. After barely scraping through relegation last season, Forest have been a team transformed under manager Nuno Espírito Santo. They are the only team to have beaten league leaders Liverpool away at Anfield. They are already in fifth position in the league table with 18 points from 11 games. For context, they could only manage only 32 points the entire last season. What has changed this season is certainly their defensive solidity. Add to that, their quick transitions leading to counter attacking goals and you can see why they are a threat now. Their backline of Murillo, Nikola Milenkovi? and Ola Aina have been exceptional so far not giving the opposition attackers any leeway. Their wingers Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga provide the pace, guile and assists from the wide areas and Chris Wood has been sensational in front of goal. All in all, a team you can’t take lightly this season as they possess the tactics and firepower to hurt anyone. We don’t know whether they can sustain these performances for the entire season and dream big of getting Champions League football but they have certainly started with a bang. 

The Seagulls are soaring high!

There was a lot of speculation about Brighton and Hove Albion struggling this season due to a young and relatively inexperienced manager coming in the form of Fabian Hürzeler but they have proved everyone wrong. The Seagulls have always been a difficult team to play, very well run with one of the best scouting and recruitment units in the league. Hürzeler’s Brighton in the initial games played a very aggressive brand of football with an excessively high line which is also prone to conceding many goals if the offside trap fails. This was evident in the game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge where they shipped five goals and looked too open. They have changed their tactics since then and have looked more solid. Upfront they are very dangerous with the likes of Kaoru Mitoma, João Pedro, Evan Ferguson and Simon Adingra. They have been brilliant against the top teams, sharing the spoils with Arsenal at the Emirates and recently beating Manchester City at home. The Seagulls are currently placed seventh in the table and seem to be going well; it would be a great achievement if they can secure European qualification for a second season running. 

The Cottagers revelling in elite company!

Fulham have shown a lot of improvement under coach Marco Silva. He has a decent squad filled with a very talented forward line in Adama Traoré, Andreas Pereira, Raúl Jiménez, Alex Iwobi, Rodrigo Muniz and Harry Wilson. The addition of Emile Smith Rowe has just added that bit of missing flair in their team and has proven to be an incredible signing so far. Fulham’s home performances have been exceptional having lost only one game at the Craven Cottage and have some noticeable away wins too. They are currently placed at seventh in the table with a point separating them from Top 4. Their performance against Manchester City at the Etihad was a heartening one even if they lost 3-2. Their attacking intent and bravery going forward against the defending champions was a refreshing change from most clubs sitting back and defending against the Top four in the away games. They have also shown great mentality in games where they have gone behind and yet come back to win symbolizing their never give up spirit. The Cottagers have been strong and consistent so far and won’t be a sure-shot three points for any opposition. 

The Bees have a sting in their armour!

Brentford was a dangerous team last season too as they play attacking and attractive football under manager Thomas Frank but they have added a certain mental toughness to their game now and are not deterred by going behind in the game. Brentford have started the Premier League season well and currently on 16 points from 11 games, just three points behind the Top 4. They have two deadly forwards in Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbuemo who are a threat for every Premier League opposition. Add to that, decent players in the midfield and the backline with Mark Flekken a reassuring presence in goal, Brentford aren’t pushovers. They are a physical side, really dangerous on the set-pieces and have a brilliant home record so far. The bees can definitely sting any opposition, underestimate Brentford at your own peril. 

The Cherries are toppling the giants!

Bournemouth have shown vast improvements since the recruitment of coach Andoni Iraola last season. In his very first season in the English top flight, the Spanish manager led Bournemouth to their highest ever Premier League points total. He has continued to impress this season as well. Bournemouth have been giant killers upsetting Arsenal and Manchester City in succession. The Cherries play a 4-3-3 or a 4-3-2-1 formation mostly and the focus is on quick ball recoveries and transitions leading to counters. So far, their forward Antoine Semenyo has been a major threat scoring important goals. Bournemouth has a more than decent squad of players including Evanilson, Justin Kluivert, Luis Sinisterra and Marcus Tavernier to name a few. Their defender Marcos Senesi and left-back Milos Kerkez have been sensational this season. The Cherries have proved that they are a very difficult opposition away from home and it will take an exceptional performance to take three points off them.