City pull clear as Arsenal are stunned at Brighton
Manchester City are three points clear at the top of the Premier League after five games. They beat Sunderland 5-3 on Sunday to make it five wins from five in the league and seven in a row in all competitions.
That perfect start has come under a new manager. Pep Guardiola left City after a decade in charge and Enzo Maresca has taken over, according to BBC Sport.
Arsenal are the team chasing them. Mikel Arteta's side lost 3-0 at Brighton on Saturday at the Amex Stadium, a result that stopped a flying start in its tracks.
A win would have given Arsenal an eighth straight victory in all competitions to start the season, equalling a club record. Instead they suffered their heaviest league defeat since May 2023, when they also lost 3-0 to Brighton. Before Saturday, they had not lost a league game by more than one goal since October 2024.
Brighton are now right behind them. That win lifted them to third, two points behind Arsenal. The Seagulls have now won at home against the reigning Premier League champions in each of the last three seasons.
Brentford are the surprise package in fourth, one point below Brighton and still unbeaten after five games. They went into the break with a 3-0 home win over Chelsea.
Their dugout has a new face too. Keith Andrews, previously the club's set-piece coach in charge of corners and free-kicks, took over after Thomas Frank left last summer.
Leeds United are also up there early. Daniel Farke's side have nine points, enough for a potential Champions League place, meaning a spot that would qualify for Europe's top club competition.
What makes this stand out is how quickly the table has taken shape. City look fluent, Arsenal have a first bruise, and two of the top four were not expected to be there.
There is now time to take stock. The Premier League has paused after the weekend of 19-20 September for an extended international break, with players joining their national teams for a four-game window.
The pause is longer than usual. September and October breaks have been merged into a single 16-day break running from 21 September to 6 October, the Premier League confirmed.
