Premier League Power Rankings: week 1

The league never lies? A weekly look at who is making the real moves during the season!
1) Chelsea - The power of Chelsea's play has been apparent since the days of Jose Mourinho, but they have never been as ruthless as the side Carlo Ancelotti has developed. Same old Chelsea - dismantling lesser opponents at will.

2) Arsenal - A draw at Anfield represents a good result in anybody's book. Especially on opening day. The Gunners will only have a chance this year if Robin van Persie and Cesc Fabregas hit it off. Neither played yesterday and they were subdued. Points make prizes, especially when you don't play at your best.

3) Manchester United - Produced some great pass and move football in a routine win over Newcastle who offered nothing. Paul Scholes dictated everything but can he last a full season? Telling that Michael Carrick has fallen away.

4) Liverpool - You cannot knock the first game of Roy Hodgson's Liverpool reign. Within a few minutes of a great result, no sign of defensive frailties and lively going forward. David Ngog looks like he may be able to share the load with Fernando Torres this year and that will be vital. Javier Mascherano was immense on Sunday - they will miss him if he leaves.


5) Tottenham Hotspur - They may well be facing one of the biggest games in the club's recent history in midweek, but Spurs put on a show for the home fans. They ran Manchester City ragged. Time will tell how tiredness will play a part. The signs look good though.

6) Everton - Not exactly the start David Moyes was looking for. Everton would hope to get something from games like this if they are to improve on last season's 8th place. Blackburn are no walkover. Plenty of top sides will be frustrated at Ewood Park.

7) Manchester City - The subs bench looks like a 'who's who' in Premier League wage packets but it is the same old problems for City. This side cannot find its own identity. Carlos Tevez aside they look a step away from a team who can challenge. David Silva will take time to settle but, if they can somehow integrate him with Robinho, they will move up the league fast.

8) Blackburn Rovers - Everything that Blackburn need for a strong season was on show on Saturday afternoon. Home form is key for Rovers and they started by keeping a much- fancied Everton quiet. A misely defence can work wonders in this league.

9) Aston Villa - A nice start for Villa post the Martin O'Neill era. This result is a hard one to react to. It would have been a home banker if the manager had stayed. They didn't let it unsettle them as a one off. Once James Milner leaves, others at the club may not be feeling so happy with life. One to watch.

10) Sunderland - Having Lee Cattermole sent off may be something that the Black Cats will have to get used to. Still they kept going and maybe could have held on for a priceless win. Darren Bent was at it again. He could have had more.

11) Fulham - Perhaps it will not take Mark Hughes too long to establish his methods with Fulham. Getting an away point at Bolton is exactly what Hughes is there to do. To do it against the backdrop of Mark Schwarzer's transfer request makes it more impressive.

12) Birmingham City - Well if the fear was that players like Stephen Carr may not be up to another season like last, a penalty offence and an own goal would have you believe that Birmingham are doomed. Not so? Their spirited fightback, albeit against 10-men, was a welcome surprise.

13)West Ham United - Not the best of starts when many would have fancied them to take advantage at Villa Park. Still, it was a strange day for the Midlands club and maybe the Hammers fell into a trap. They will have to improve though. Mathew Upson and Robert Green continued where they left off at the World Cup.

14) Wolverhampton Wanderers - An opening win will do everything for confidence and that will feed itself through the club. Wolves need to believe they are staying in the Premier League for it to happen. Stephen Fletcher getting of the mark bodes well.

15) Bolton Wanderers - Owen Coyle must have though that Fulham would be there for the taking. The fact that Bolton did not finish them off when they had chances to do so will be a worry. The great concern is that they have no obvious goal threat.

16) Stoke City - The sight of Kenwyne Jones limping off was a nightmare. Being outplayed by Wolves compounded the agony. Stoke will hope that their home form can get them out of trouble this year. It is a big atmosphere, but as Portsmouth well know, it sometimes is not enough.

17) Wigan Athletic - The heat is on for Roberto Martinez. He has recovered from damaging losses before and this will be his greatest challenge. Wigan have pulled themselves off the ropes a few times - but they will have to get their act together quickly.

18) Newcastle United - Is this what all the fuss was about? Getting back into the Premier League may have been a goal reached but what now? There was a time when Newcastle would take a game to United at Old Trafford. There was a time when Baddiel and Skinner topped the charts.

19) Blackpool - The Seasiders are in dreamland. They caught Wigan and the rest of the watching world by surprise. No doubt they will do it again at some point. Nobody will take them lightly again though. They will need a few more miracles to stay up. One is a start.

20) West Bromwich Albion - Not the best fixture to judge. Not the best start to a campaign. Still it is one of the 'un-winnables' out of the way and the Baggies will no doubt pretend it didn't happen. The emphatic nature of this loss must have left a few scars.