Curious start but the season is still young

Fans have been stunned by both poor performances - and great starts.

Before the season began, Burnley, the new boys from Lancashire, were written off and seen as favourites for relegation. But "the Clarets", as they're known, defeated champions Manchester United and Everton with 1-0 wins. Last season, the giant-killers, who have Libyan leader Gaddafi as their biggest fan, beat Premiere League legends from London - Fulham, Chelsea and Arsenal in the League Cup competition.

Everton, who finished sixth last season, have been perhaps the biggest disappointment. The Toffees have hit rock bottom by letting in seven goals. Their defence has been vulnerable after the exit of defender Joleon Lescott to Manchester City.

Tottenham Hotspurs and Manchester City look set to threaten the League stranglehold held by the "big four" - Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal.

Spurs have confounded critics by starting with three consecutive wins, to sit on top of the table. This is the best start by Spurs in over 50 years.

And City, this year's biggest spenders with around ?120 million dished out on new players, thanks to backing from the Abu Dhabi royal family, have also had a great start. They could easily finish in the top four, given the quality of players they have picked up.

Suddenly, both Spurs and City are seen as teams with a chance of winning the title. The last time Spurs won the top league was in 1961 when it was known as "First Division", while City last won in 1968 when the Beatles were flying high.

Chelsea and Arsenal have done the best so far from the Big Four, with champions Manchester Utd and runners-up Liverpool both slow out of the blocks.

Analysts suspected Arsenal could slip after the north London club sold striker Emmanuel Adebayor and defender Kolo Toure to Man City. However, Arsene Wenger's youngsters showed they have abundant talent and brilliance to survive by beating Everton 6-1 and Portsmouth 4-1.

Chelsea also have the quality and desire to claim another title. They have claimed victories despite trailing Hull and Sunderland in the first two matches.

Champions United, weakened by the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez, look unlikely to be the first team to win four consecutive titles. Like their fierce rivals, Liverpool, they have had a poor start with two losses and one win. The sad truth is only one team - Manchester United in 1992-93 - have won the Premier League title having, like Liverpool, lost two out of their first three games.

Disappointment may be in store for Reds fans, who haven't won the title for 20 years, saw Xabi Alonso leave Anfield. Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva has been a disappointing replacement for the Spaniard, while newly-signed Italian midfielder Alberto Aquilani is not expected to make his debut until October because of injury. You wonder if it will be too late by then. On the other hand, teams that start well don't always end with a trophy, while those who suffer bad starts do become champions. It's been a curious start, but the season is still young.