Playmaker’s hotly-anticipated top four tier Power Rankings return, running you through the top 10 best performing teams in England for the fifth time this season.

The rules are the same, only competitions all teams play in are considered, so no European business or EFL Trophy lark, this is the top four tiers only. Oh and just in case you forgot, a win or loss after 90 minutes still counts as a draw!
 

10th, Southampton («9)

Last 5: DWWDW League Cup: OUT (3rd Rd) FA Cup: N/A

©Getty / Matt Watson

Had Southampton held on to their 1-0 lead against Wolves last night, they’d have kept their top spot in our rankings with ease, however, Pedro Neto’s equaliser bumps them down in our rankings as last night was the kind of game that separates a good start from a special one.

A point away to Wolves isn’t to be sniffed at though, and with Theo Walcott and Che Adams continuing to ease the scoring burden on Danny Ings, there’s plenty of reasons to think this could still be an exceptional season for the Saints.

9th, Newport («3)

Last 5: WWLWW League Cup: IN (Last 16) FA Cup: IN

After a late treat with Kevin Ellison’s 96th-minute winner over a tricky Port Vale side at the weekend, life is good for table-topping Newport fans in League Two, with nine wins from 12, scoring in every game this season.

The impressive early League Cup scalps against Watford, Swansea, and almost Newcastle certainly helped, and the confidence built looks far from dropping away.

8th, Hull (Re-Entry)

Last 5: WWWLW League Cup: OUT (3rd Rd) FA Cup: IN

Enjoying life in League One after a miserable 2019/20, Hull move to the top of the Championship with a 3-1 away win over MK Dons thanks to a brace from Josh Magennis, returning from national team duty with Northern Ireland.

A team full of confidence and firing in all competitions, it’s becoming increasingly hard to imagine this season not ending on a high-not, even so early on. 

9⃣ #EFL teams have a player who has scored in the 2020/21 UEFA #NationsLeague:#Cardiff, H. Wilson, K. Moore 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿, G. Whyte (NI) #DCFC, Jóźwiak 🇵🇱#CAFC, J. Williams 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿#Royals, Puşcaş 🇷🇴#HCAFC, Magennis (NI)#Boro, McNair (NI)#AFCB, Brooks 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿#NCFC, Pukki 🇫🇮#QPR, Dykes 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 pic.twitter.com/N7mvJrSGpn

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) November 19, 2020

7th, Norwich (»2)

Last 5: WWDWD League Cup: OUT (1st Rd) FA Cup: N/A

Returning to the top of the Championship, Norwich do it without conceding a goal in three games against teams they could be fighting against for a playoff place, most recently in a 1-0 win away at Middlesbrough at the weekend.

Teemu Pukki is back scoring and with more control shown, Norwich look in line for a Premier League return.

6th, Chelsea (New Entry)

Last 5: WWWDD League Cup: OUT (Last 16) FA Cup: N/A

The games haven’t exactly been impossible, with wins over Burnley, Sheffield United, and most recently Newcastle, but the positive signs are there.

Chelsea are getting goals from all over the pitch, with their intense transfer window coupling with Frank Lampard spending last season bringing through youth to make a squad full of threats, their 11 different goalscorers the highest number in Europe’s top 5 leagues.

There’s also plenty of reasons for optimism at the back too, where Edouard Mendy has made it seven clean sheets in all competitions since arriving, more than any Premier League goalkeeper, with just one goal conceded in seven. Things are pointing in the right direction, but sterner tests are yet to come.

⛔️Most clean sheets by #PL keepers in all comps (2020/21):

7🧤: 🇸🇳EDOUARD MENDY🇸🇳
5🧤: Kasper Schmeichel
4🧤: A. McCarthy, E. Martinez, R. Patricio, B. Leno, Ederson#CFC pic.twitter.com/j1V0wDMttq

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) November 21, 2020

5th, Tranmere (New Entry)

Last 5: WWWWL League Cup: OUT (1st Rd) FA Cup: IN

Capping of a solid winning run, Tranmere did it in headline fashion with a 5-0 thumping Grimsby at the weekend. Two goals from Jame Vaughan made it seven for the season, but having a good striker hasn’t been the only reason for success, as there are goals all around, boosting chances of an instant return to League One.

4th, Blackpool (»6)

Last 5: WWWWL League Cup: OUT (1st Rd) FA Cup: IN

Despite some worrying form in September and into October, Blackpool keep their recent run going to hang around in our rankings, doing it in superb fashion with a 2-1 win over high scoring Peterborough.

Jerry Yates has found his shooting boots, as has Gary Medine, and with recognisable names scattered throughout a talented squad, Blackpool could well build on this impressive run.

3rd, Barnsley (»3)

Last 5: WWLWW League Cup: OUT (3rd Rd) FA Cup: N/A

©Getty / MI News

Quickly becoming a location for intriguing young foreign coaches, Barnsley do things differently to the rest of the Championship, and after a sad end to Gerhard Struber’s spell in charge, life is looking good under Valerien Ismael with four wins from five games.

Jumping up the league and well away from the relegation zone, Barnsley record an impressive 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest, adding to victories over QPR and Watford, only conceding in their one loss to Cardiff.

2nd, Liverpool (New Entry)

Last 5: WDWWD League Cup: OUT (Last 16) FA Cup: N/A

Leicester had as good a chance as anyone of ending Liverpool’s 64 home games unbeaten run, traveling to Anfield to face a team with eight first-team injuries, however, it was over before it even started.

The Foxes had injuries themselves, but the kind of depth Liverpool showed against a team pushing for a top four finish it certainly a worrying sign for any team with dreams of taking their title from them, especially if Fabinho and Joel Matip can stay fit.

1st, Tottenham (»4)

Last 5: WWWWD League Cup: IN FA Cup: N/A

©Getty /

This may well have been the game where Jose Mourinho fully announced his return, in as classic a display as ever, with the gloss of another two exceptional performances from Harry Kane and Son Heung-min.

Spurs have the third-best record in the league Since Mourinho’s arrival last autumn, and with the way they held off Manchester City with some ease during the 2-0 win, it’s hard to imagine that won’t jump to second soon, with an injury-depleted Liverpool in their sights.

🏆 Most assists across UEFA's 'Top 5' leagues this season:

9🅰️: 💥 HARRY KANE 💥
5🅰️: Grealish, Correa, Muller, Kruse, Thauvin, Bamba, Laborde
4🅰️: Digne, McGinn, Canales, Mkhitaryan, Wirtz, Hofmann, Kimmich, Lewandowski, Mbappe, Sarabia, Perraud#COYS @LastWordOnSpurs pic.twitter.com/1fofnYvlMV

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) November 23, 2020

💪 A few months ago, with lockdown in full effect, #Playmaker and @thegraphicbomb started daydreaming about a fanzine on the top four tiers - and 'The Mighty Delta' fanzine was born.

Subscribe to our mailing list for a FREE digital copy!https://t.co/UQ7cP5c5PA pic.twitter.com/kITjuiHnM0

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) September 29, 2020