Southampton is the surprise team of the season. A statement 4-1 win against Hull City let the league know the Saints are no joke. After 11 games, the Saints are in third in the table with 22 points. So far this season, Southampton has only given up 5 goals. This team has experienced players like Rickie Lambert and Pablo Osvaldo, but most of the squad is very young. The Saints may not contend for the title, but they do have the quality to make a run for a Europa League or even a Champions League spot.
Manchester United are not out of the title race yet. United beat Arsenal 1-0 on Sunday to climb back to within five points of the leaders. At the beginning of the season, United looked plain bad. It was difficult for them to find their form under new manager David Moyes. At first, Moyes had to find out which players fit his system. The team has so much talent that each team United losses more pressure is put on Moyes for his decisions. He has found most of his players now, and it is starting to pay off. Now that the season is in full swing, United are starting to come around. They have a different style of play then last seasons title team. The Red Devils don’t mind being out possessed, as long as the counter attacks are effective. United have climbed out of the early season hole to jump back into the top five in the table. Even with the slow start, United will be contending for the title.
Manchester City has issues away from the Etihad. At home City is a perfect 5-0-0, but once they leave home it’s a different story. City only has 4 points out of a possible 18 away from home. The team plays with a different tempo away. At home, City’s attack is scary good scoring 20 goals in 5 games. Once they hit the road, City has lost four games to teams in the bottom half of the table. The away blues need to end soon for City or their title hopes will be gone.