It's been a hectic start to the new Premier League season
The top-flight campaign is only four games old, but we’re already seeing which storylines could be set to dominate the next few months.
With only three teams maintaining a 100% record so far, it looks as though the battle at the top will be much more open than Manchester City’s romp to the title last year.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the division, West Ham fans will be worried following a pointless start in August.
But what have been the biggest knee-jerk reactions after four matches? Here are five picks from JOE…
“Watford can do a Leicester”
It would be amazing to see Watford maintain their impressive start to the new season, but dreams of Javi Gracia’s recreating Leicester’s shock title feat in 2016 are a little premature. Despite Sunday’s impressive fightback against Tottenham, it’s worth noting that the Hornets were also unbeaten after four matches last year - sitting in fourth place ahead of the likes of Spurs, Liverpool and Arsenal. They lost their next outing 6-0 at home to Man City and won only five more games before Marco Silva was dismissed in January. Unlike Silva, who reportedly had his head turned by Everton, the club’s fans will be hoping Gracia remains grounded -
and that the players continue to listen to his instructions.
“Jose Mourinho is finished at the top level”
It’s been a miserable start to the season for Mourinho and Manchester United, with the Red Devils losing two of their opening three Premier League matches for the first time since 1992. Given that Man City lost only two games throughout the whole of last season, it already looks as though the title could be beyond United yet again - but it would be wise not to write off Mourinho just yet. The Portuguese coach possesses one of the finest CVs in the game - as he’s only too keen to remind everyone - and will be determined to bring silverware back to Old Trafford after a trophyless campaign in 2017/18. If he can mend his reported rift with Paul Pogba, there’s still time for Mourinho to turn things around.
“This is Liverpool’s year”
Liverpool have improved year on year under Jurgen Klopp, culminating in a thrilling journey to the Champions League final in May. The Reds have started the current campaign in ominous form at the top of the table, but it’s perhaps still too early for
talk of a genuine title tilt. There was a yawning 25-point gap between Liverpool and Man City last season, which suggests that even with an impressive collection of new additions over the summer, there’s still plenty of work required to catch up to the champions. Klopp has thus far attempted to play down his team’s hopes, and he will be cautious about fuelling the fire until the Reds prove they have the staying power.
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“West Ham are doomed”
Four games, four defeats and a goal difference of minus eight - it really has been a dreadful month for West Ham. The club’s owners may be wondering whether it was the right decision to appoint Manuel Pellegrini as David Moyes’ replacement, but despite the team’s poor form there have been one or two flashes of encouragement. New signing Felipe Anderson brings quality in the final third, while Lukasz Fabianski is an upgrade on the goalkeeping mishaps of Joe Hart and Adrian last season. September sees the Hammers face a tough run against Everton, Chelsea and Man United, but Pellegrini will have faith in his squad to kick on. Whether he is afforded the same backing remains to be seen.
“New manager, same old Arsenal”
It was a baptism of fire for Unai Emery as Arsenal lost their opening two games to Man City and Chelsea. The Gunners weren’t entirely convincing in victories against West Ham and Cardiff either, but with six points on the board they now have a platform to progress. Although Emery will need to improve the club’s record against their rivals in the top six, his early tactical tweaks suggest he can get the most out of talented attackers Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette. Arsenal’s £110m duo showed signs of striking up an impressive understanding in the hard-fought win at Cardiff, and they will be key to the Gunners’ hopes of reclaiming a Champions League place this season.
