BRIGHTON are this season’s biggest over-achievers.
And Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United are all suffering a significant drop-off from last term.
SunSport experts have analysed the like-for-like performances of every top flight team compared to the same period in 2023-24.
To ensure a full comparison, the three promoted teams – Leicester, Ipswich and Southampton – are awarded the results that relegated Burnley, Luton and Sheffield United respectively got in their matches.
And Brighton’s stunning comeback win over champions City on Saturday mean the Seagulls are a superb nine points and 11 goals better off than after the same 11 matches last term.
It is a sign of the impact of new Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler on his squad, which fell away under predecessor Roberto de Zerbi last term.
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But there is ammunition for Enzo Maresca and Andoni Iraola to point to about their positive impacts this term.
Chelsea – seven points better off – and Bournemouth, who have earned an extra six points from the matches are second and third in the comparison table.
And while Liverpool’s brilliant start to the campaign – and the recent wobbles for City and Arsenal – have put Arne Slot’s men five points clear at the top, they have actually slightly under-achieved last term’s efforts under Jurgen Klopp, with the same points tally and a goal difference worse by three.
At the bottom end, even Wolves’ first win of the season over Southampton cannot hide the fact that Gary O’Neil’s side had earned 12 points more after the corresponding matches last season.
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Crystal Palace, on minus seven, and Everton with six points fewer, fill the “relegation zone”.
But the next three sides up from the bottom are United, who have earned five points less, Arsenal picked up four more in the same games last term and City, who are three points down as a result of that defeat at the Amex.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
