Setting goals

THE Premiership is taking a familiar look with Tottenham and Manchester City being the early pretenders to the throne.

Early defeats for Liverpool and Manchester United have given some hope to these teams wanting to usurp a top four place but it was soon business as usual.

Everton have in recent years been the perennial team to be denied a Champions League spot but their hope took a massive blow losing 6-1 at home to Arsenal on the first day of the season.

If they fail to bounce back in the coming games then it will set alarm bells ringing very early at Goodison Park.

However, what was a shocking result for the blues was a fantastic result for the Gunners who have marched to the top of the table with another big win at home to Portsmouth.

Arsene Wenger's side took a lot of criticism last year but it is easy to forget that they were virtually unbeaten after Christmas. The signing of Arshavin may well be the catalyst that sets them off on one of the long winning streaks that they are famous for and only the small squad size issue could stop them becoming real title contenders.

United, meanwhile, started off slowly against Birmingham and suffered a shock defeat at newly-promoted Burnley before thumping a very poor Wigan side on Saturday.

Michael Owen scored his first league goal for the club and provided some silver lining to a slow start. Whilst it is not desperate at this stage, it will send out signals to the other clubs that they are beatable this season.

This aura of invincibility has been a key factor in the success of the club. United have often won games before they have begun with clever mind games but the loss of Ronaldo and his goals have given hope to lesser sides and it will be interesting to see how Ferguson and his side cope with this added factor.

Of course United will be in contention at the end of the season but they might have to work at lot harder for it this year.

The other main title contender, Chelsea, have started well. It is interesting to see that the manager has revitalised Deco's career at Stamford Bridge.

He is a hugely talented player and one that can bring a team together when he is on song. Anyone doubting his size and strength should look no further than Xavi and Iniesta who took United apart in the Champions League final.

Liverpool, meanwhile, came back from an early setback away to Tottenham to comfortably beat Stoke and although Benitez has a squad of some depth he still looks short of enough world class players to win the title.

He is finding his role as moaner-in-chief a difficult one to cope with and should a bad run ensue he may find it more difficult to use these criticisms in a siege mentality way as Ferguson often does at Old Trafford.

In addition, the club is totally dependent on Torres and Gerrard staying fit which is unlikely, especially in World Cup year when players of top international sides have one eye on South Africa 2010.

Liverpool need everything to go right for them this year and whilst this is always possible it is unlikely, so another third place may well be the best the Spaniard can hope for.

The bottom will be as congested as ever and as Hull City proved last year early wins do not guarantee that you will not be drawn into a relegation battle.

After 10 games we will know who will be in this battle for the season and then two or three other clubs will be drawn into with the rest fighting out for mid table mediocrity.

I take Wolves, Burnley and Hull City to face relegation but, to be honest, quite a few other teams have the potential to go down, so it is really a case of wait and see. By November there will be some obvious candidates materialising.

The title though is a more complex problem this year but I take Chelsea, now with a top manager again, to come out on top.

Arsenal could be the surprise package though this year and if they can stay injury free at the back they may well run their rival London side very close.

Form and fitness are keys to winning the title but equally relevant is how the sides come through the bad patches they will face.

This will ultimately determine the destination of the Premiership.