26/04 - 20:00
It’s the second week of the 2022/23 Power Rankings with the Premier League kicking off at last.
Of course, the EFL clubs all have a one-game head start on them so just one top-flight team makes it into this week’s rankings.
Antonio Conte’s team kicked off their Premier League season with an impressive 4-1 over Southampton after having initially gone down to an early goal.
The three-goal cushion means that Spurs top the Premier League after the first round of games and there’s the suspicion that Conte may be building a team that could surpass expectations this season.
Making things tick in the middle ⏰
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) August 7, 2022
📊 @KumhoTyreUK pic.twitter.com/j6Iu3RAJQO
Bolton have had two difficult fixtures in League One against two of the strongest teams in the division. Ian Evatt’s team managed a draw away to Ipswich Town on the first weekend before producing a superb display to defeat Wycombe Wanderers 3-0.
The Trotters are back in action tomorrow when they take on League Two team Salford City in the Carabao Cup.
🎥 [𝗚𝗢𝗔𝗟 𝗖𝗔𝗠] 🔴
— Bolton Wanderers (@OfficialBWFC) August 7, 2022
2️⃣ @_kyledempsey's first 2 goals for Wanderers.
🔥 @AaronMorley27's second goal in as many matches.
Our 'Goal Cam' captured all three goals in yesterday's 3-0 victory against @wwfcofficial.#BWFC 🐘🏰 pic.twitter.com/rPWtJAgG08
The Grecians have made a positive start to League One life after drawing away to Lincoln City in their first game.
Last weekend saw them host fellow promoted side Port Vale, where Exeter blew the visitors away in a 4-0 victory. Port Vale couldn’t even manage a single shot on target at St James Park.
Matt Taylor’s team face a trip to Cheltenham Town tomorrow in the cup and will play them again in the league in just a few weeks.
Substitute Jordan Roberts struck late for the Boro against Stockport County (who finished the game with ten men) to make it two wins in two for Steve Evans’ side – both with a 2-1 final score. Uniquely, five of Stevenage’s substitutes were involved in the build-up to the winning goal.
Stevenage travel to take on Championship side Reading in tomorrow’s Carabao Cup fixture.
1️⃣ Dean Campbell
— Stevenage FC 🔴⚪ (@StevenageFC) August 8, 2022
2️⃣ Kane Smith
3️⃣ Danny Rose
4️⃣ Saxon Earley
5️⃣ Jamie Reid
Just the *five* substitutes combining for Saturday's winner! 🤯 https://t.co/djZg4ywteM
Barrow have started their season in entertaining style after two wins in two. They can go one better than Stevenage who won both of their games 2-1 as Barrow have won each game 3-2.
Saturday’s victory over Bradford was certainly dramatic. It was 1-1 until the 85th minute when Barrow thought they’d won it, then thought they’d lost two points in stoppage time, only to immediately score a minute later.
We’ll see if the bluebirds can do the same again against Blackpool in their cup tie.
Two wins and two clean sheets will have Richie Wellens happy with his team in the early stages of the season. Tom James scored a fine half volley from the edge of the area to give the O’s another three points while largely nulling the threat of Crawley Town.
Orient can make it three wins out of three tomorrow should they defeat last season’s League Two champions, Forest Green Rovers.
`😍 That roar!
— Leyton Orient (@leytonorientfc) August 7, 2022
Tom James gives the travelling O's a moment of magic to celebrate, in our 1-0 win at Crawley Town.#LOFC #OneOrient pic.twitter.com/RZcVAsS8dC
Another team hoping for a swift promotion is Crewe Alexandra, who put themselves on the way to a victory just before half-time with two goals coming from corners. The Railwaymen then finished the game off in the second half.
Alex Morris’ team have scored five goals in League Two making them joint scorers alongside leaders Walsall. A trip to face Grimsby Town awaits them in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.
The Posh looked determined to make an immediate return to the Championship and were in fine form at home to Morecambe. Peterborough won 3-0 with new signings Ben Thompson and Hector Kyprianou both scoring on their first starts for the club.
Grant McCann’s team are set to become very familiar with the city of Plymouth, where they’ll play both of their next two games: facing Argyle in the cup on Wednesday and then in the league on Saturday.
So far, so good for Jon Dahl Tomasson’s start to life at Blackburn Rovers. The Danish coach was able to enjoy his side put on a clinical display away to Swansea City on Saturday. The Swans had plenty of the ball and the majority of the chances but Rovers still managed to put three past them.
Rovers will be back at Ewood Park on Wednesday for their league cup game against Hartlepool United.
Debut goal and win 🤩 @Rovers pic.twitter.com/Kp4ERSDWpk
— Sam Szmodics (@SamSzmodics) August 6, 2022
It wasn’t the resounding 4-0 of the opening weekend, but the Saddlers won with a clean sheet again away to Newport County. This time it was an own goal that helped Michael Flynn’s team to victory, although Walsall did finish the game with ten men after Taylor Allen picked up a yellow card meaning he will be unavailable for tomorrow’s cup game at home to Swindon Town.
It may only be the second week of the second but Walsall fans can enjoy sitting top of the league thanks to their +5 goal difference.
🙋♂️ Hands up if you've kept back-to-back @SkyBetLeagueTwo clean sheets pic.twitter.com/UfoeYYfe2L
— Walsall FC Official (@WFCOfficial) August 6, 2022
