August saw an earlier start to the Premier League season due to this winter’s World Cup, but the changes haven’t taken away from what has been an absorbing opening month.
After 5 games, Arsenal sit top of the tree with a perfect win record and 15 points. Mikel Arteta has got the Gunners singing again and the Emirates has got that feel-good factor back after years of unrest. Can they keep it going?
Just behind them in 2nd is reigning champions Manchester City. With 4 wins and a draw from their opening 5 games, the point coming against a stubborn Newcastle team in a dramatic 3-3 draw, Pep and his team are on course for another title challenge.
Significant wins have come against Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest, while star forward Erling Haaland has secured back-back hat-tricks in his last 2 games. It’s looking like it could be a remarkable debut season for the Norwegian, with 9 goals in his first 5 appearances in the Premier League.
Currently in 3rd is Antonio Conte’s Tottenham with 11 points. Still unbeaten this season, Spurs have produced some good results, but without the performances to match. Scrappy wins have come against Wolves and Forest, while a last-minute equaliser against Chelsea secured them a valuable point at Stamford Bridge.
Rounding out the top 4 for August is the impressive Brighton. Graham Potter’s Seagulls have kept 3 clean sheets so far and have notched 3 wins from 5, including a huge victory at Old Trafford on the opening day. Is a place in Europe next year possible?
Liverpool have endured a difficult start, which may not be surprising when you remember they were chasing 4 trophies at the same time last year. Still, the Anfield faithful will have hoped for more from their team.
An opening day draw to Fulham was followed up with another point at home to Crystal Palace and a 3-game ban for star-striker Darwin Nunez after a headbutt on Joachim Andersen. A difficult defeat to old-rivals Manchester United followed.
But in true Liverpool fashion, they bounced back in style with a whopping 9-0 victory over Bournemouth and a late, late winner courtesy of youngster Fabio Carvalho deep into stoppage against Newcastle. The Reds have finally got their season back on track.
Chelsea have won just twice in their opening 5 fixtures, with defeats to Southampton and Leeds and a point at home to Spurs. It’s not the start Thomas Tuchel will have wanted after bringing in the likes of Kalidou Koulibaly, Raheem Sterling and Marc Cucurella. They currently sit 9th and desperately need to get something going or they risk falling too far behind.
It’s been a rollercoaster of a start for Manchester United under boss Erik ten Hag. The new era got off to the worst possible start with a home defeat to Brighton, before things got drastically worse when they were hammered 4-0 at Brentford.
But a great performance at home to Liverpool earned the Red Devils a well-deserved 3 points, with a tricky away win at Southampton the following week restoring some hope and belief around Old Trafford. Is top 4 a realistic target this season?
Happy with your teams start to the new campaign? How will the rest of the season play out? Let us know over on the socials and keep it locked in to @JDFootball for all the latest!
