Man City go 3 points clear as Arsenal are humbled by Brighton

As we move into a 3 week international break (yes, it really is that long!), Manchester City sit atop the PL table with a maximum 15 points from their opening 5 matches. Their latest victims, Sunderland, certainly made them work for the win in a match that ended 5-3 with the Black Cats twice drawing level to make the score 2-2 and getting back to 4-3 down late on before City finally put them away. Their victory followed a surprise 3-0 reverse for defending champions Arsenal at Brighton & Hove Albion. It really could have been more as the Seagulls completely outplayed the Gunners. Whether it proves to simply be a bad day at the office for Mikel Arteta’s men or not, it once again illustrated the strength in depth that now exists in the PL. Brighton are up to third place and will trouble anyone on their day. If they could maintain that level of performance throughout the season they would be genuine title challengers. They may yet do so but it has been a stumbling block for them in the past, not always being able to grind out wins when they are not at their best.

Brentford are another very well organised and effective side who have moved into 4th place after seeing off a Chelsea side that have now conceded 12 goals in their opening 5 matches, the most in the division, and who previously managed to score their way out of trouble but were kept completely quiet by the Bees who ran out 3-0 winners, dropping the Blues to the 10th place spot they finished last season. In-between the Blues and the Bees sit Leeds United and Hull City, mixing it in the top half alongside Liverpool, Everton and Newcastle United.

In the bottom half of the PL at this early stage you will find Manchester United, Aston Villa and, bottom of the pile, Tottenham Hotspur. Life is definitely tougher for the so-called big clubs these days. At least Spurs finally scored a goal, 2 in fact at the end of their match at home to Aston Villa, but still too late to cancel out Villa’s 3 goals earlier in the match. That left Coventry City as the only side still looking for a goal or a point but they finally got off the mark in terms of both, one goal proving enough to take all 3 points away from Nottingham Forest. Fulham thought they were finally going to beat Manchester United at home, only for a deflected effort in the final minute meaning they had to settle for a point instead. They remain winless as do AFC Bournemouth after they went down 1-0 at home to Liverpool but Cherries fans need not worry. They have Chelsea next so they will be guaranteed at least a couple of goals giving them every chance of giving new boss Marco Rose that elusive first victory!

Premier League Prediction Competition 2026

Nick stormed to POTW success in week 2 and never really looked back in Session 1. He had a quiet final week, scoring just 9 points, but had built up enough of a buffer to stumble across the line and claim overall victory. John F came closest to catching him but has to settle for the runners up prize.

Session 2 does not start until Saturday 10th October when Arsenal will be looking to get back on track as they host unbeaten Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium in the Saturday lunchtime kick-off.

DON’T FORGET THOSE PREDICTIONS!

PLEASE INVITE ANYONE YOU KNOW WHO MAY BE INTERESTED IN TAKING PART.

CONTACT ME AT… contact.sytykf@gmail.com

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