The new Premier League season is just three games old yet there are already some patterns starting to form even if the early standings should not be read into too much just yet. Nobody will be surprised to see defending champions Manchester City leading the way with Erling Haaland already within three goals of double figures and Liverpool keeping pace with Pep Guardiola’s men is not that shocking either. Brighton and Hove Albion and Newcastle United mixing it with Arsenal just behind those two is also not the most unexpected of scenarios so far, while some would argue that Chelsea and Manchester United being in the bottom half of the table is not either. The Blues and the Red Devils have had slow starts to their campaigns but it is not time to ring the alarm bells just yet, or is it?
We take a look at the early panic meter for this term’s results so far as we enter the September international period.
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No real panic: City, Liverpool, Brighton and Newcastle
City and Liverpool have absolutely nothing to worry about so far with the current titleholders sinking their teeth into opponents thanks to Haaland’s madman form while Arne Slot’s Reds laid down an early season marker with a convincing win away at Manchester United this weekend. Brighton and Newcastle will be pleased to be in early European contention having struggled for large parts of last year thanks to their continental involvement but it will be a long way to go until the finish line for both of them. Brentford with two wins from three and Bournemouth as well as Nottingham Forest will be happy with starts to the new campaign — especially the latter pair who are unbeaten thus far.
Minimal panic: Arsenal and Villa
About as minimal as it gets for the Gunners who only dropped points against a good Seagulls side and remain unbeaten with an away win over Villa already under Mikel Arteta’s belt. Two points dropped is not too serious right now as long as Arsenal keep City and Liverpool in sight while two wins from three for Unai Emery’s Villans means that the top seven is not too surprising right now. Even Fulham in 12th with one win, one draw and one defeat will probably not be too concerned by their start to the new term compared with preseason expectations.
Mild panic: Spurs and Chelsea
Slightly below where they want to be right now are Spurs and Chelsea who both have four points from a possible nine. The Blues have picked up since losing to City on the opening day but they will be frustrated not to be a little higher while Ange Postecoglou’s men were expected to pick up more points from their opening fixtures — especially against Leicester City. As for Southampton, zero points from nine is not great but expectations will have arguably been to battle against relegation with a view to staying up so a tough start to things will not be a total surprise.
Substantial panic: United and West Ham
This is not how it was supposed to be for United and West Ham who find themselves averaging one point per game already with this situation arguably worse for the Red Devils given the money spent over the summer and Erik ten Hag’s familiarity with his squad unlikely Julen Lopetegui. It has also been a rude awakening for Palace and Wolves who were expected to do better this season for different reasons with Oliver Glasner’s Eagles tipped by many to be the surprise package which Gary O’Neil’s men were for parts of last campaign before avoiding relegation fairly comfortably.
Crisis brewing: Everton
Calling three games into the new season a crisis for any club is a big call but it feels the right one for the Toffees who are already in a total mess. Three defeats from three games with the most recent in truly crushing fashion having been 2-0 up on Bournemouth with minutes to play at home only to lose 3-2. The early signs are not good at all and that is only on the field with Goodison Park life in limbo because of the ownership situation and speculation over Sean Dyche’s future before a ball was even kicked. Those rumors might have been well founded given this poor early form and years of just about keeping their heads above water — do not be surprised if we see our first managerial casualty this international break given how broken the players appear to be again.
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