Early Season Premier League observations

With the International break upon us, and longer than what it used to be compared to previous years, this vacant period gives us ample time to dissect what has been a thrilling opening passage of the Premier League this season. Goals galore, chaos ball, familiar underperformers, and some surprise overachievers. The season has begun with a bang and has made us ask for more when it returns back after the International break.

So let us get into it and delve into the early observations of the league

1. Brighton and Hurzeler are scoring goals for fun.

There was a time in the beginning of the year when Brighton could just not buy a win in the league under manager Fabian Hurzeler, and that eventually cost them a spot in the Europa League come the end of the season, albeit gaining them entry in the Conference League.

This season, however, the Seagulls have come roaring out of the blocks in stunning fashion. Hurzeler has managed to unleash the attacking might of his charges and they have scored goals at will this season. Brighton are currently the most prolific scorers in the league with 16 goals, and their goals have come against established sides like Chelsea and defending champions Arsenal, who they pumped 3 against in their latest fixture.

Led by the indefatigable Pascal Gross, Brighton have amplified their pressing intensity, as Arsenal found out to their detriment. Such has been their run of attacking verve that the phrase “Pecked by the Seagulls” has become a social media staple.

The Seagulls are flying high, and there is no stopping them just yet.

2. Chelsea are catastrophically bad at defending

While Brighton have been banging in the goals, Chelsea have been conceding goals for fun, with Xabi Alonso’s men having let in the most amount of goals (12) so far, a number that is even worse than newly-promoted side Coventry City, who let in 10 so far.

The signings of Maxence Lacroix and Matteo Palestra, along with the return from injury of Levi Colwill and Wesley Fofana signalled that the Chelsea backline would be among the strongest in the league, but that has far from materialised. Every opponent they have faced this season has scored at least 2 goals against them. And the reasons are varied: They allow runners to ghost past untracked, they are time and again pulled out of position, and they offer ample space on the flanks to their opponents.

Even the arrival of new goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has not managed to stem the flow of goals, with the Argentine conceding 10 out of the 12. He was brought in as a clear upgrade to the much-maligned Robert Sanchez, but it has not managed to change the outcomes just yet.

Xabi Alonso has three weeks to figure out a way to plug in his leaky defense, because his prolific attack can only go so far to mask the team’s deficiency at the back.

3. Tottenham Hotspur are just hopelessly bad

To reflect just how atrocious and dire things are at Tottenham Hotspur, here is a stat for you: Since 2024, music artist Beyonce has had more concerts at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (6) than Tottenham have had wins (5).

Spurs have been very sorry this season. Winless in 5 games. Just 2 goals scored. And bottom of the table despite spending north of £350 million on new players. Roberto De Zerbi has time and again questioned the mental resilience of the players while fans have bordered on the mutinous with the sheer incompetence on the pitch.

The new signings have flattered to deceive while the existing players look way out of sorts. Spurs right now seems like an endless mire from where there is no getting back. Things are hanging by a thread and with the way things are going, it might just snap soon enough.

4. This is once again shaping up to be an Arsenal-Man City Title Race 4

All signs once again point to a two-horse title race, with familiar foes Arsenal and Manchester City once again emerging as the frontrunners for the title this season.

Arsenal began their season like a dream before being stopped in their tracks by Brighton on Saturday, but they still have the quality and the depth to ensure that they will be in the title conversation this season for sure.

Manchester City are the current leader and new boss Enzo Maresca could not have asked for a better start to his City tenure, having won every game so far. The new midfield has been up to the mark while the attackers are slowly beginning to find their feet under their new manager’s methods.

While the defending is still a little suspect, you expect Maresca to find a way to improve that aspect of his side’s game too, something that is not too far-fetched given the defensive quality at their disposal.

Whether other teams come into the fray as the season progresses is anyone’s guess, but smart money is on the fact that Arsenal and Man City will be the protagonists of this season’s title race.