Defending Premier League champions Manchester City boast a perfect record ahead of the first international break, but are joined at the summit by old foes Liverpool.
It is a different story for other teams eager to be in the top-four mix with Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham all suffering early defeats, while none of the newly-promoted clubs have registered a first win of the campaign.
Man City have started in ominous fashion, earning impressive away wins at Chelsea and West Ham in between a three-goal home victory over Ipswich, which were all achieved without Rodri.
Pep Guardiola could not have wished for a better start and this is also the case for Liverpool boss Arne Slot. Life as Jurgen Klopp’s replacement appears easy with a 3-0 win at Old Trafford an early statement to help them also sit on nine points out of nine.
Fabian Hurzeler has made a flying start at Brighton, earning a memorable triumph over Manchester United before they recorded a respectable draw at Arsenal. The 31-year-old has taken to English football like a duck to water, while Eddie Howe has put a difficult summer transfer window behind him to lead Newcastle to two wins and a draw.
Arsenal may well have joined City and Liverpool on nine out of nine had Declan Rice not been sent off against Brighton. Mikel Arteta’s team have looked strong – like they did last term – and earned a fine away win at Aston Villa to reinforce their title credentials.
Villa did have chances in their defeat to Arsenal and sit on six points after solid wins on the road at West Ham and Leicester to continue the feelgood factor under Unai Emery.
Brentford, Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest are early surprises in the top-10 with Thomas Frank able to mastermind two wins despite speculation over Ivan Toney’s future. Andoni Iraola has also coped well after the departure of Dominic Solane, with Bournemouth still unbeaten and it is a similar story for Nuno Espirito Santo’s Forest, with five points accumulated so far.
Manchester United supporters could be forgiven for feeling it is groundhog day after Erik ten Hag watched his team lose to Liverpool on Sunday. It followed a last-minute defeat at Brighton, with familiar questions being asked and he must improve United’s performances to avoid further scrutiny over his future.
It has also been a disastrous time for Everton after they managed to throw away victory at home to Bournemouth to sit at the bottom with no points. Southampton are also pointless with Russell Martin braced for conjecture over his front-foot style of football, which has gained Saints plaudits but no tangible result so far.
Wolves and Crystal Palace lost key figures this summer, which has contributed towards an indifferent start with only a draw to show from their three games. Both Gary O’Neil and Oliver Glasner will be confident of improving now the transfer window is shut and they know what squad they will work with.
