Hit or miss: Ranking the Big Six’s start to the Premier League

With four gameweeks of the 2023-24 Premier League season being played and the first international break of the year currently underway at the time of writing, now seems like the perfect time to rank the Big Six’s start to the campaign as a hit or miss.

Hit: Manchester City

Football fans and pundits alike questioned whether or not Manchester City had strengthened enough compared to their rivals this summer, with the general consensus being no. However, Pep Guardiola is proving that his side will be just fine as they seek a record-breaking fourth-straight title come the end of the season.

The Sky Blues have won all four of their games thus far, beating Vincent Kompany’s Burnley 3-0 at Turf Moor before dispatching Newcastle United (1-0), Sheffield United (2-1) and Fulham (5-1) to open up a two-point gap at the top of the table going into the international break.

Miss: Chelsea

After a hopeful pre-season and promising start against Liverpool, as they were perhaps unlucky not to pick up all three points against Jurgen Klopp’s side on the opening weekend at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea are once again looking inconsistent at best — and it could be another long season for the Blues.

Todd Boehly’s spending has already surpassed £1 billion, but the results are yet to show on the pitch as Chelsea’s only victory in their first four games came in an expected 3-0 win over Luton Town. Losses to West Ham United away and Nottingham Forest at home most recently make for dire reading.

Hit: Liverpool

As already mentioned, Chelsea appeared to come away with more positives from that opening game at Stamford Bridge. But it is Liverpool who have looked the much better side in the weeks that have passed, as the Reds remain unbeaten thanks to three wins in succession.

They had to come back from a goal down against both Bournemouth and Newcastle, but the three points are the most important thing and a convincing 3-0 win over Aston Villa prior to the break has them sitting nicely in third and just two points behind Man City.

Miss: Manchester United

Having finished third under Erik ten Hag last season, a lot was expected of Manchester United this campaign as the Dutchman’s revolution at Old Trafford continued over the summer. However, the Red Devils’ start to the season has been nothing short of turbulent and you wouldn’t dare pick them in the football odds on current form.

They scrapped to a 1-0 win over Wolves at home on the opening week, before suffering their first defeat at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium when losing 2-0 to Spurs next time out. Man United spared their blushes by coming back from 2-0 down to beat Forest at the Theatre of Dreams, but a 3-1 loss to Arsenal followed.

Hit: Tottenham Hotspur

Speaking of Tottenham Hotspur, they have had a far better start to their first season without talisman Harry Kane than many would have expected and Australian Ange Postecoglou is already proving a massive hit amongst Spurs fans.

The North London side could only draw their opener against cross-city rivals Brentford, but they beat Man United and Bournemouth by two goals to nil before hammering strugglers Burnley 5-2 at Turf Moor. James Maddison has proven to be an inspired summer signing, while Son Heung-min might have rediscovered form with a hat-trick against the Clarets. Exciting times for Spurs fans.

Hit: Arsenal

Arsenal were so close, yet so far from ending their lengthy wait for top-flight success last season — leading for over 90% of the campaign before ultimately crumbling under the pressure and allowing Man City to swoop in yet again.

Arteta has done some big business this summer, and the Gunners look capable of challenging once more — although they could face more competition this time if Spurs and Liverpool can keep up their good starts. Arsenal have beaten Forest, Crystal Palace and Man United thus far, but dropped points with a draw away to Fulham.