Ranking Premier League teams after five games as season pauses for international break
After five Premier League matches, the teams have been ranked on their starts to the season as the competition pauses for a three-week international break with no league fixtures until 10 October. The review assesses which sides have impressed and which have disappointed and invites reader comment.
The piece evaluates early-season form across the division with the campaign still at an early stage and a long way to go. A photograph accompanying the article identifies Manchester City striker Erling Haaland (left) and Manchester United defender Harry Maguire. Readers are asked which teams have impressed and which have disappointed.
Arsenal began their title defence solidly but were ripped apart by Brighton after surviving a penalty scare at Sunderland. 7
Aston Villa show signs of improvement following the loss of many key players during the transfer window. 6
Bournemouth have performed well for much of matches but continue to concede late, prompting the comment that if games lasted 80 minutes they would be near the top of the table. 6
Brentford produced an impressive, unbeaten start and demolished Spurs and Chelsea without fuss. 8
Brighton have hit 16 goals in five top-flight games, including three against champions Arsenal, and are described as "a joy to watch." 9
Chelsea enjoyed a strong start under Xabi Alonso but have lost two of their past three games and were picked apart by Brentford, prompting the question of whether they are moving in the right direction. 6
Coventry City earned a win at Nottingham Forest that prompted audible relief in the away end, and the write-up asks if Frank Lampard's side will kick on after that result. 6
Crystal Palace have managed one win and three defeats so far, leaving room for improvement. 5
Despite a transfer window to forget, David Moyes has made Everton hard to beat. 6
Fulham picked up decent draws against Liverpool and Manchester United but still need a win; their immediate fixtures on return from the international break are Ipswich (away), followed by Hull (home), Coventry (away) and Crystal Palace (home). 5
Hull City have collected eight points from five difficult opening fixtures, including a victory over Manchester United and draws with Aston Villa and Chelsea. 8
Ipswich Town have shown defensive vulnerability but two late winners, against Sunderland and Crystal Palace, have yielded six points. 5
Leeds United sit fifth, remain unbeaten and possess the joint-best defensive record, and produced a 4-1 win over Newcastle. 7
Liverpool remain unbeaten though judged "far from their best," with three clean sheets in their past three games and heightened expectations on Andoni Iraola's side. 6
Manchester City have won all five league games, including a victory at Manchester United despite going down to 10 men midway through the first half, and Erling Haaland is already top scorer; City supporters are being told to expect a strong title push. 9
Manchester United have underwhelmed, losing at Hull, drawing at Fulham, securing only one win (against Ipswich) and being denied victory at Everton by a late equaliser. 4
Newcastle United present a mixed picture under Matthias Jaissle, with an impressive draw against Liverpool, a comfortable win at Tottenham, a poor defeat at Leeds and a subsequent victory over Hull. 6
Nottingham Forest's best results have come away from home — drawing at Liverpool and winning at Aston Villa — while their City Ground record is a concern, with no home goals and one point from three matches. 5
After finishing seventh in 2025-26, Sunderland have given good accounts against Arsenal and Manchester City but lost both fixtures. 5
Tottenham Hotspur, having spent more than £300m in the summer, have failed to score in their opening four league matches and are described as being poor, with supporters expected to demand an instant improvement after the break. 2
There is a three-week international break with no Premier League fixtures until 10 October, when league action resumes.