City look genuine title contenders

Manchester City beat Sunderland 5-3 in a frenetic encounter and sit top after five games. Manager Enzo Maresca has made the squad work through a mix of design and luck, with goal-scoring responsibility shared among multiple players.

Maresca's City have momentum

City have won seven in a row across all competitions. While they're defensively fallible and injuries could strike, Maresca can refine the team over the next three weeks before facing Arsenal in what looks like a two-horse race.

Tottenham's money can't buy wins

Despite spending 334 million pounds this summer, Tottenham sit bottom with just two goals and two points from five games. Manager Roberto De Zerbi says he's never seen a team so fragile and inconsistent in his 14 years as a coach.

“In my 14 years as a coach, I've never seen a team like us, so fragile and inconsistent.”

Spurs lack backbone despite spending

Tottenham haven't won after conceding first in nearly two years and 47 games. Their home stadium has hosted more Beyonce concerts than home wins recently, and their worst expected goals per shot in the league suggests deeper problems than just settling in.

Man United repeating old mistakes

Manchester United have five points from five games despite an easy start. Michael Carrick's team look like a shell of the side that beat City earlier, constantly outrun and outfought with a vulnerable defence and disjointed attack.

Carrick faces familiar pressure

Carrick is experiencing the same cycle as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer five years ago: cult hero returns on interim basis, does the job, gets the keys to Old Trafford, then faces immediate scrutiny. A loss to bottom-placed Tottenham after the break could spell trouble.

Arsenal's title credentials questioned

Arsenal lost 3-0 to Brighton and sit second behind City. While they signed Ezri Konsa and Bruno Guimaraes, the jury is out on whether they're genuinely stronger than last season's league-winning squad.

Arsenal missing departed attackers

Christos Tzolis hasn't scored yet and the goalscoring output from departed Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli hasn't been replaced. Arsenal are essentially the same squad as last season, relying on Odegaard and Saka finding early form.

Liverpool unbeaten but untested

Liverpool's 1-0 win at Bournemouth extended their unbeaten run to 12 games under Andoni Iraola. But they've only passed the eye test in a handful of contests and needed late goals to rescue points against Newcastle and Nottingham Forest.

Wirtz remains Liverpool's puzzle

The 116.5 million pound playmaker Florian Wirtz has been anonymous and error-prone since arriving at Anfield. Jamie Carragher questioned his impact and highlighted the challenge of fitting him into the team without disrupting balance.

Liverpool's real test starts now

Iraola has enjoyed a gentle start but faces Man City at home, Brighton, and Brentford away after the international break. Only if Liverpool come through those examinations unscathed can we talk about a genuine revival under their new boss.

Chelsea's attack dazzles, defence fails

Chelsea sit mid-table with a dazzling attack but disastrous defence. Morgan Rogers has three goals and an assist, Cole Palmer is blossoming, and Joao Pedro has three goals and three assists, but they've conceded from set pieces four times already.

Chelsea's midfield crisis deepens

Moises Caicedo hasn't played due to injury and Enzo Fernandez departed on deadline day with no replacement. Untested duo Romeo Lavia and Reece James have mostly played in midfield, leaving Chelsea lacking control compared to last season.

Villa's rebuild slowly coming together

Aston Villa's 3-2 win over Tottenham before the international break has eased tension after a worrying start. Johan Manzambi announced himself with a goal and assist on his first start, while new signings are slowly settling in.

Brighton and Brentford defy expectations

Brighton and Brentford sit third and fourth respectively, forming two-thirds of the newly-coined Bermuda Triangle. Brentford beat Chelsea 3-0 to end an 88-year wait for a home win over the Blues, while Brighton beat Arsenal 3-0 with clinical finishing.

Brighton's efficiency is remarkable

Brighton have scored 16 goals, three more than any other team, with a goal difference of plus eleven. They took just five shots on target against Arsenal but scored with three of them, showing their clinical edge over bigger spenders.

Promoted sides holding their own

Only one newly-promoted team sits in the bottom three. Hull City have impressed with just one loss and a win over Man United. Ipswich have two wins and sit mid-table, while Frank Lampard's Coventry City are 18th on goal difference.

Relegation race already shaping up

Tottenham sit bottom despite big spending, while Fulham struggle under Alvaro Arbeola. Crystal Palace hover above the danger zone, Bournemouth are just above Coventry with Marco Rose yet to win, and Villa face a tough fight despite Emery's track record.