VSN's English Premier League Power Rankings - Week 3
By: Rudi and Chrispy
[TABLE="class: grid, width: 750, align: center"]By: Rudi and Chrispy
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[TD="align: center"]1.[/TD]
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[TD="align: center"]Chelsea had the week off due to their Super Cup match against Atletico, but they still are at the top of the league having gained the maximum amount of points possible so far. Next up on the slate is an away match against QPR which Chelsea should handle easily.[/TD]
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[TD="align: center"]2.[/TD]
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[TD="align: center"]After escaping Anfield with a point a week ago, City returned home and took care of business against QPR. City was unable to convert a plethora of chances early on which allowed QPR to stick around in the game, but eventually Carlos Tevez and company were able to deliver and give City the full 3 points.[/TD]
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[TD="align: center"]3.[/TD]
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[TD="align: center"]The Red Devils somehow, someway were able to get out of Southampton with the full three points. After trailing much of the 2nd half, Robin Van Persie rescued United with 2 late goals to give them the 3-2 win in a thrilling match.[/TD]
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[TD="align: center"]4.[/TD]
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[TD="align: center"]The surprise team of the season so far, beating an Everton team that has started off really good. Only question is can they keep it up? If they can who knows how high they will finish.[/TD]
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[TD="align: center"]5.[/TD]
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[TD="align: center"]Everton ran into the early season buzz saw that is the West Brom Baggies. Despite looking the better side at times, they fell 2-0 to the host side. Everton welcome Newcastle to Goodison Park in a few weeks which what should be a great match to watch.[/TD]
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[TD="align: center"]6.[/TD]
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[TD="align: center"]The Swans were dealt a severe blow to their back line as defender Neil Taylor has been ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a broken ankle. Michu has been a great signing so far as he has scored 4 goals in the first 3 games for Swansea.[/TD]
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[TD="align: center"]7.[/TD]
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[TD="align: center"]At home against Aston Villa and they draw? Aston Villa even looked like the better team. Brad Guzan, an American, was in net for Aston Villa and did a pretty good job. Ben Arfa’s goal was an absolute firecracker.[/TD]
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[TD="align: center"]8.[/TD]
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[TD="align: center"]AVB’s first two matches as the Spurs manager hasn’t gone the way he had liked, a loss and a draw respectively. The draw was probably harder to swallow since the Spurs where home and pretty much had the game won until a late equalizer from West Brom.[/TD]
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[TD="align: center"]9.[/TD]
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[TD="align: center"]They finally scored their first goals of the season. They look like a top level team, they just need their guys to keep scoring as they haven’t let in a goal so far this season.
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[TD="align: center"]10.[/TD]
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[TD="align: center"]Sunderland got to show off their new weapons in Fletcher and Johnson. Fletcher providing two goals in his debut to help Sunderland earn a draw against a very tough Swansea side. This team looks like it can finish mid to top of the table.[/TD]
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[TD="align: center"]11.[/TD]
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[TD="align: center"]Three games, three draws. That is Potter football at it’s finest. The recent signings of American Maurice Edu, Charlie Adam and Michael Owen should give Stoke a much needed boost. Unfortunately the Potters welcome defending champions City in their next fixture.[/TD]
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[TD="align: center"]12.[/TD]
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[TD="align: center"]The Hammers are doing the best out of the 3 promoted sides thus far. The addition of Andy Carroll should only cement their status in the league and I expect them to finish well above the relegation zone. Hopefully the injury to Carroll won’t be too severe and he can return to action soon.[/TD]
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[TD="align: center"]13.[/TD]
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[TD="align: center"]This is another team that is a mess. Losing 3-0 to West Ham and they have lost Dembele and Dempsey to the Spurs. Will the players they added, Berbatov and Richardson be enough to keep them middle of the table?[/TD]
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[TD="align: center"]14.[/TD]
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[TD="align: center"]Patience? How about relegation? Yes, Liverpool is playing that bad. Who is going to score the goals for them? Putting all the weight on Suarez to do that. This team is a mess right now which has the owning apologizing.[/TD]
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[TD="align: center"]15.[/TD]
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[TD="align: center"]Fans of Wigan have to be happy with the recent form of the club. After beating Southampton last week then drubbing Nottingham Forest in the Capital One Cup , Wigan were battled to a draw with Stoke City. Wigan travel to Manchester United in what surely will be a tough test for them.[/TD]
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[TD="align: center"]16.[/TD]
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[TD="align: center"]Anytime Aston Villa comes away from a match with points this season should be considered a success. A squad that many think will be battling to stay out of relegation was able to fight Newcastle to a 1-1 draw on the road. In a surprise move, Shay Given was benched in favor or Brad Guzan.[/TD]
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[TD="align: center"]17.[/TD]
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[TD="align: center"]So close to pulling a major upset at home against Man u. But in the end it didn’t happen, they didn’t even get a draw, which I thought they at least earned that. A heart breaking result but this team looks like it will avoid relegation.[/TD]
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[TD="align: center"]18.[/TD]
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[TD="align: center"]A huge draw at Spurs will hopefully push the Canaries in the right direction. They are going to be at the bottom of the table, just have to hope they can avoid regulation, who is going to step up for them?[/TD]
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[TD="align: center"]19.[/TD]
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[TD="align: center"]Reading had an off week so can’t really say anything about them. Then when the EPL resumes they have to play the Spurs at home. Good luck[/TD]
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[TD="align: center"]20.[/TD]
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[TD="align: center"]Rangers returned to Etihad stadium for the first time since the thrilling season finale last year. The game shaped up much like last season’s encounter as QPR was able to hang around against a much better City squad. Heading into the international break, QPR has the worst goal differential in the league.[/TD]
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