Blackburn (1st; 9pts; +10) - flawless start for the reigning champions and they emerge victorious from their first title contender derby against Leeds to put a serious bid to defend the trophy.
Player of the month: Ismail Hakan Tosun (MC) 8.18
0 Current first team injuries.
Manchester United (2nd; 7pts; +3) - the Red Devils start pretty well with a minor slip against Liverpool the only reason they drop points - though given the events in that match they won a point there rather than lose two.
Player of the month: Abdoul Konaté (D/WBL) 8.26
0 Current first team injuries.
Newcastle (4th; 6pts; +9) - the Magpies open the season in their usual dominating fashion although a postponed game stops them from walking in line with the champions. No challenging games played yet but it will be interesting to see how Hristov copes with the injuries of two wingers.
Player of the month: Dong Dexin (AML/ST) 8.78
2 Current first team injuries:
Mickaël van der Vaart (AMRL/ST) - 2-4 days (gashed leg)
Paolo Bonato (D/WB/MR/AMRL) - 5-6 weeks (fractured wrist)
Chelsea (7th; 6pts; +4) - the Blues make a perfect start and their game in hand allows them to lurk from the shadows of midtable.
Player of the month: Murat Erdil (M/AMC) 8.08
0 Current first team injuries.
Leeds (13th; 3pts; -2) - decent opening weekend for Leeds although it all fell apart after that with a terrible loss at White Hart Lane and a home defeat at the hands of Blackburn. Redknapp will be on toes Jim Nam-Il keeps his fitness with his other goalkeeper sidelined for a lengthly period.
Player of the month: Konstantin Chumak (MC) 7.92
1 Current first team injury:
Shaun Gregory (GK) - 4-5 weeks (broken finger)
Liverpool (15th; 2pts; 0) - two games, two draws for Liverpool and while they were fortunate to share the spoils with Q.P.R. they know a win was within reach at Old Trafford and should have taken that chance. Early times but proximity to the wrong end of the table doesn't feel good.
Player of the month: Elvis El Alagui (MR/ST) 7.95
0 Current first team injuries.
Other teams to watch:
Arsenal (3rd) - the Gunners enjoy unbeaten August and finally make a strong start to a campaign. Could this be the year they return to glory?
Tottenham (5th) - Spurs impressed in their home game with Leeds but will need to show more of the same away from White Hart Lane to stand a chance of keeping their current position in the table.
West Ham (6th) - the Hammers make a positive start for the second consecutive season - can they keep early form going?
Manchester City (10th) - the Citizens need to improve to justify the level of summer spending.
Fulham (11th) - no doom and gloom for Premier League new boys Fulham as they proudly sit side by side with financial powerhouse Man City in the table.
Queens Park Rangers (17th) - while Rangers had a nightmare schedule this month they probably didn't expect to find themselves so close to the bottom in the end of August.
Sheffield Wednesday, Bolton and Stoke City occupy the bottom three. Freshly promoted Bolton and Stoke find life in the Prem tough and are yet to register their first point.
