Title race wide open after early stumbles
Everton, Aston Villa are pacesetters as English Premier League giants slip
Five games into a Premier League season full of goals and drama, each of the traditional ‘ big six’ have dropped at least five points, and the title race is wide open.
Here is an early- season report card
LIVERPOOL
Three weeks ago the title looked like Liverpool’s to lose after an impressive start to their title defence. However, a 7- 2 thrashing at Villa knocked the champions off course and the loss of Virgil van Dijk is a devastating blow. Liverpool still have the firepower to mount a title challenge but they have already dropped the same number of points as they did in their first 28 league games last season.
MANCHESTER CITY
City and Liverpool have been dominant over the past three seasons but there are big questions over Pep Guardiola’s defence despite a £ 100 million outlay on defenders in the transfer window. Leicester won 5- 2 at the Etihad last month, while goalkeeper Ederson made a string of important saves to salvage a 1- 1 draw at Leeds and ensure a 1- 0 victory over Arsenal.
CHELSEA
The Blues’ has so far only reaped two wins from their opening five league matches.
Defensive problems remain an issue for Frank Lampard, who has seen his team throw away four points in 3- 3 draws against Southampton and lowly West Brom. But the solidity shown in a 0- 0 draw against Sevilla in the Champions League in midweek showed better times could be ahead.
MANCHESTER UNITED
What a difference four days may have made for United’s season and the future of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
From the despair of a 6- 1 home humiliation by Tottenham, the Red Devils bounced back to win 4- 1 at Newcastle and then ran out impressive 2- 1 winners away to Paris Saint-Ger main in the Champions League. But United desperatelyneed to find consistency.
TOTTENHAM
At half- time of last week’s clash against West Ham, social media was abuzz with talk of Jose Mourinho’s free- scoring Spurs mounting a title challenge, before their lead disappeared in a crazy finale. However, Tottenham are just five points off the top and the form of Harry Kane and Son Heungmin together with the returning Gareth Bale, give Spurs fans reasons to dream.
ARSENAL
The Gunners would be happy just to return to the Champions League for the first time in five seasons but they could perhaps set their sights higher, looking themost solid of the big six under Mikel Arteta.
OUTSIDERS?
Can Everton maintain their impressive start to the season under Carlo Ancelotti?
With James Rodriguez pulling the strings and Dominic Calvert- Lewin banging in the goals, the Goodison Park faithful will dream of a first topflight title since 1987.
Aston Villa have started with four straight wins while 2016 champions Leicester are also sitting pretty.