How the EPL Big Seven are doing

> United and City are leading the Premier League, but how worried should Arsenal, Liverpool and rivals be?

Everton (current position 16th) Big things were expected at Goodison Park this season, after Ronald Koeman spent around £133m on new signings. But things haven’t exactly gone according to plan. Everton are five points worse off compared to last season, when they eventually finished 7th in the league. In that campaign they picked up three points in draws against Tottenham, Manchester City and Manchester United, but they have lost all three of those corresponding fixtures this campaign. Their goal difference has also taken a huge knock, almost certainly because of the sale of Romelu Lukaku to Manchester United. Last season they had 13 goals from the seven matches above – this season they have four. corresponding fixtures last season. Progress? What progress?

Once again Arsene Wenger’s side found Liverpool too hot to handle, although they suffered a heavier defeat this season than they did last, when they fell to a 3-1 defeat at the Emirates.

Arsenal thumped Stoke 4-1 at the Emirates last year but fell to a surprise 1-0 defeat this time around, although they were able to take something from Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, which is more than they managed a few months ago. Chelsea (4th) Perhaps unsurprisingly, Chelsea haven’t been able to match their superb performance last season. Not so far, at least.

Last season Chelsea beat Burnley, Arsenal and Manchester City at home – scoring eight goals in the process and conceding just once. But this time around, Antonio Conte’s team have picked up just one point from the corresponding three fixtures, grinding out a goalless draw with Arsenal.

The one area of improvement comes in the away fixture against Tottenham. Last season Chelsea lost 2-0 at the Lane, this season they won 2-1 at Wembley thanks to Marcos Alonso’s brace? Tottenham Hotspur (3rd) Tottenham are just as they were last season, having taken 14 points from the seven fixtures listed above.

Last season, Spurs won all three of their corresponding home fixtures, against Chelsea, Burnley and Swansea. But this year the move to Wembley has taken its toll, with Mauricio Pochettino’s (pix) side still to win at the national team ground this season.

At least their away form has improved and Spurs avenged last season’s galling defeat to West Ham when they won 3-2 at the London Stadium, thanks to Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen. Manchester United (2nd) Like their city rivals, Manchester United have made a significant improvement when you compare their corresponding fixtures.

Last season Jose Mourinho’s side drew far too many matches, but this time around they have put teams such as West Ham, Everton and Southampton to the sword.

The only blot on their copybook is their 2-2 draw away to Stoke, who also held them at the Britannia Stadium last year. Manchester City (1st) City have started the current campaign at a thunderous pace and, as it stands, they are the Premier League’s most improved team.

Last season saw underwhelming home draws with Everton and Liverpool, not to mention a crucial defeat on the road against Chelsea. This season they have managed to put both Liverpool and Chelsea away – although they were once again held by Everton at the Etihad.

It’s up front where they have really improved. Last year they managed an eminently respectable 17 goals against the teams listed above, but this year they have scored five more. Are they in titlewinning form? – The Independent