Premier League

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

Many people consider Manchester City as outsiders in the title race – only five of our 33 pundits predict them to lift the trophy in May – but their impressive 4-0 win at Wolves means that they have now taken 43 points from their 20 games in 2025 - more than any other side.

Liverpool fans may argue that their team took their foot off the gas for the final four games of last season after winning the title, but City have still taken a point more having played a game fewer.

Rodri's season-ending injury last September clearly derailed their Premier League campaign but, rather than simply awaiting his return, Pep Guardiola has found a solution without him and the former champions have been getting back on track since the start of the year.

The graph below is City's 'non-penalty expected goal difference per game' since the start of last season, which tells us how much a team dominates their games by creating lots of good chances and limiting their opponents to few, bad ones.

It is the X-ray stat - the one that shows how good teams are before hot finishing streaks and the rub of the green come into play.

As we can see, Guardiola's side are now almost dominating games to the level that they were before Rodri's injury, so anyone writing them off does so at their peril.

It seemed reasonable to assume that City would only return to being the dominant force they were once the Ballon d'Or winner himself returned. But, given that only Liverpool have dominated their games more since the start of the year, we may be wrong in that assumption.

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Jordan Chamberlain
Fan writer

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Liverpool will score lots and lots of goals this season. Some of the attacking link-up play was extraordinary during the 4-2 win over Bournemouth.

But whether we can retain the title or not will depend on if we can plug the gaps in the middle when we lose the ball.

Both Bournemouth's goals came from counter-attacks. There were no defensive midfielders in both situations to stop the fast break and Antoine Semenyo finished with aplomb on both occasions.

Liverpool were without Ryan Gravenberch, who is the most defensive of Arne Slot's midfielders, but it feels like more of a tactical issue than a personnel one.

At 2-1 up, Liverpool flooded bodies into Bournemouth's box. The full-backs were in the opposition penalty area and the midfielders were in attack mode, too. One transition and it was 2-2.

Thankfully, the power of Anfield and the relentlessness of Liverpool's attack meant we scored two more goals, but it should have been a much more professional job.

In all likelihood, Liverpool will spend huge money on Alexander Isak before the window closes, strengthening an already jaw-dropping attack. Marc Guehi is expected at centre-back, too.

If it were me, I would try to beat Manchester United to Brighton's ball-winning machine Carlos Baleba. He has the tenacity and defensive characteristics required for the double pivot.

Find more from Jordan Chamberlain at Empire of the Kop, external

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Former Wolves defender Conor Coady says the Manchester United shirt won't weigh heavy on Matheus Cunha because he plays "with no fear."

"I absolutely love him," Coady said about his former team mate on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club. "He is an outstanding footballer with an appetite to do well.

"When you go to a club like Manchester United you have to play with no fear and I think he is like that every time he steps on the pitch.

"We knew the type of player he was at Wolves, in terms of his character and mentality to want to take Wolves to the next level.

"The shirt can be heavy for certain players, but I certainly don't think it will be heavy for him.

"I played against him last season and he just doesn't stop. He has the ability to get on the ball and really make things happen.

"He will score goals and he will create chances so I think it was a fantastic signing for United."

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Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

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Considering Manchester City conceded 44 goals in the Premier League last season - the most in a season since 2009-10 - it would be reasonable to think that Ederson himself didn't have a great campaign in terms of shot-stopping.

His save percentage would certainly suggest that, ranking 13th out of the 26 goalkeepers that played at least 10 games in 2024-25.

But judging a keeper's shot-stopping purely by his save percentage doesn't take into account the quality of shots that he specifically faced, since not all shots are equal.

It's a bit like being a judge at a cooking contest and not considering the quality of ingredients each chef is working with when deciding who made the tastiest meal (this is also why 'shot conversion rate' doesn't tell us who's the best finisher).

The reason why that is so important for Ederson in particular is because although he had one of the quietest shifts in goal last season since City didn't give up many chances, he had the toughest in terms of shot-stopping as the former champions gave up higher-quality shots than any other team in the league.

When taking that into account, only Jordan Pickford of Everton was a better shot-stopper than Ederson in the Premier League last season, with the Brazilian preventing five goals more than expected from hitting the back of the net.

BBC Sport's tactics correspondent Umir Irfan says Arne Slot is "going for a more fluid approach" in Liverpool's forward line and Alexander Isak would fit in very well with Hugo Ekitike.

Although it is unknown whether Isak will get his desired move, Irfan has been looking at the way the Reds may set up if they sign the Newcastle striker.

"There are similarities between Ekitike and Isak, but Ekitike has a great tendency to drop deep and get involved," Irfan told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.

"From what we have seen so far in their build-up play, Milos Kerkez stays in the back three and Jeremie Frimpong pushes really high and wide. Ekitike and Dominik Szoboszlai then drop really deep and into the wide areas, and when they do that the left-winger comes inside.

"That makes it really hard for opposition players.

"I can imagine a scenario where Ekitike starts in the middle when Liverpool are building-up, before he pulls out wide, which leaves all of that space for Isak.

"In more settled play, you would have Isak down the middle and Ekitike on the left.

"They would be interchanging. When you have two really good players on the ball with experience of moving to the left flank, it will be really hard for teams to pick up."

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Mark Scott
Final Score reporter

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"Rodrigo Muniz, we want you to stay" was the chant from the away end after the Brazilian's last-gasp strike earned Fulham a point at Brighton, with noise last week claiming Atalanta were looking to sign him.

It wasn't just the fact he scored but the way he converted the chance which caught the eye - an elite piece of clinical finishing, and yet another he has bagged from the bench.

Muniz's seven goals as a sub since the start of last season is more than any other player in the division.

With him having only started a quarter of his Premier League games in 2024-25, Marco Silva must be weighing up making him a more regular fixture from the off - if Muniz is still at the club come the end of the window.

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Noel Sliney
BBC Sport journalist

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Nottingham Forest's new signing Arnaud Kalimuendo finished as the third top scorer in Ligue 1 last season with 17 goals – all from inside the penalty area and including five spot-kicks.

Only Paris St-Germain's Ousmane Dembele and Mason Greenwood of Marseille scored more, though Kalimuendo's shot conversion rate of 22% was better than both of them.

He scored 13 of his 18 big chances, equating to 72% - a figure only bettered by one regular scorer in France's top flight last season. Kalimuendo, though not tall, has the strength and skill to turn defenders and he ranks highly for winning possession in the final third too.

The 23-year-old started his career at PSG but only made one league start for the club.

He scored 19 goals in 60 league games on loan at Lens and has improved his goal output each season with Rennes, who he joined in 2022. He scored 40 goals in 113 appearances for the club in all competitions, as well as 11 goals in 33 caps for France Under-21s.

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Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

Tottenham and Crystal Palace are currently in discussions over a fee for Eberechi Eze, but as things stand there is no agreement yet.

There are one or two complications in that Palace will only sanction the deal if they can get one or two forwards across the line first.

A deal is fairly close but whether it gets sanctioned is dependent on Palace's transfer activity.

With Manchester United's new striker Benjamin Sesko eased into action as a substitute, Matheus Cunha was initially tasked with leading the line against Arsenal. Despite a preference for playing slightly deeper, the Brazilian menaced Arsenal's defence all afternoon and was only denied a debut goal by David Raya's fingertips.

Cunha had four shots, second only to team-mate Bryan Mbeumo, who also gave United more attacking thrust despite being tightly marked throughout the game.

Noel Sliney
BBC Sport Journalist

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Debutant Viktor Gyokeres wasn't helped by a lack of service on Sunday.

His tally of 22 touches was the second fewest on either side among the players to start, with Arsenal's attacking intent stifled by Manchester United for the most part.

Arsenal struggled to get hold of the ball, with their number of passes into the final third and touches in the opposition penalty area being around half of their average last season.

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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Manchester United are braced for an offer from Chelsea for Alejandro Garnacho but are determined not to let the young winger leave on the cheap.

Senior United figures believe Garnacho is keen to move to Stamford Bridge, which is the main reason why he is still at Old Trafford nearly three months after head coach Ruben Amorim told him to find a new club.

The relationship between the two sides has deteriorated and on Sunday a picture of Garnacho close to Old Trafford was defaced.

However, the manner of his exit is hugely important as Amorim looks to reshape his squad.

As an academy graduate, the money raised will have a significant impact on United's profit and sustainability situation.

However, the negotiations - when they eventually start - will be a major test for the Old Trafford club's director of football negotiations, Matt Hargreaves, and director of recruitment, Christopher Vivell.

United know Chelsea will attempt to drive the price down for 21-year-old Garnacho.

Yet insiders at Old Trafford note the Blues' reluctance to sell one of their unwanted forwards, Christopher Nkunku, to Bayern Munich for less than £50m and feel that should guide the London club's valuation of Argentina international Garnacho, who they consider to be a better player.

Meanwhile, Jadon Sancho is still to decide whether to accept the opportunity to join Roma.

The Serie A outfit have lodged an official bid for the 25-year-old. While United are yet to respond, the deal - thought to be worth in the region of £20m - is similar to what they are looking for and can form the basis for talks.

However, Sancho is still to confirm whether he is willing to accept it.

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Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

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It was Aston Villa's first opening day Premier League home game for 15 years.

It would be too far to say fans would be happy to wait another 15 for the next one but it is game which will not live long in the memory.

A stalemate against Newcastle at least ensured Villa will go a calendar year unbeaten at home in the Premier League.

But, especially in the first half, they were undercooked and second best behind a Newcastle side who are a direct competitor for a Champions League spot.

The Magpies pipped Villa to fifth on goal difference last season and, on this evidence, may put daylight between the sides by the end of the current campaign.

It is clear Villa need quality reinforcements - they are without former loanees Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio and are about to sell Jacob Ramsey to Newcastle for £40m - but financial restrictions have ruled Villa's summer transfer spend.

Emery called for a "review" of profit and sustainability rules in his programme column and afterwards insisted Villa will continue to respect the rules.

"I am happy how we are managing things," he said.

"Since I've been here we have done fantastic transfer window. We have to be intelligent and the most important thing is how we are building the team and getting as strong as possible with the players we have.

"We are ambitious but we are ambitious trying to respect the rules and trying to get the best players possible. We are not going to rest in case we can be with some options in the transfer window."

Ezri Konsa's 66th-minute red card halted Villa's momentum after they managed to wrestle control from Newcastle after the break.

• Emery reflected on the match and Konsa's dismissal on BBC Radio West Midlands

Boubacar Kamara headed at Nick Pope before Ollie Watkins tested Pope but Emery had to accept a point as a positive.

He added: "We are not happy when we are losing two points at home. I think more or less they maybe deserved more because they had better chances. We have to accept it."

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Four years ago, Jesse Lingard fell out of favour at Manchester United and was snapped up on loan by then-West Ham boss David Moyes.

The results were spectacular, nine goals and five assists in just 16 appearances for the Hammers.

At his opening news conference for the Premier League season, Moyes says he hopes new signing Jack Grealish can mirror that success.

"He looks the same - big calves!" Moyes said on the England international. "You will have to turn up on Monday [to see if he will be involved against Leeds].

"The best example I can think of is when I brought Jesse Lingard to West Ham. He was probably not expected to be too successful, and maybe a little bit worn down, but he got himself back into the England team.

"If Jack can do a bit of the Jesse Lingard, it will be a great story. It is a World Cup year and he is in good enough shape. I just need to get him enough time."

The 29 year-old arrives at the Hill Dickinson stadium on loan - with an option to make the move permanent next summer.

Moyes believes the forward can prove a solution in a number of areas on the pitch for his new side, as long as he is given the opportunity.

"I think Jack can play in several positions, as a midfielder [as well as a winger]," Moyes added.

"My aim is to get Jack in a creative postion where he can score and assist goals. It is a big challenge for Jack and I am looking forward to seeing how he responds to it."

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

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As Nuno Espirito Santo spoke about "dealing with doubts" just two days before the start of a season that sees Forest back in Europe for the first time in 30 years, it quickly became apparent how unhappy he is.

Nuno picks his words carefully and this time he was eager to get his message across loud and clear.

Like all managers, when he has something to say, he will say it and before Forest's opener against Brentford on Sunday, he voiced his concerns.

He spoke about how the club have lost an opportunity to build on last season and how even the players are worried at the lack of new arrivals. It was the speed of the process he was most upset with, feeling the club could have moved more quickly.

Nuno is regarded as being guarded during press conferences and, for the Portuguese, it was explosive.

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He trusts his squad but he feels the squad lacks the required depth and quality to compete on four fronts - with their Europa League campaign on the horizon - and this was as animated as he has ever been.

The club could spend close to £100m on Omari Hutchinson, James McAtee and Arnaud Kalimuendo in the next few days - and there is interest in Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz - but it still has not appeased Nuno.

There is an acceptance the Under-21 European Championship - which Hutchinson and McAtee won with England - and the Club World Cup has delayed many deals. Nuno accepts other clubs will have similar issues, yet his concern is Forest.

He underlined how important it is to bring players in as early as possible and it is impossible to escape how this could be the first public fracture, especially after such a successful season.

This all comes just five weeks after Edu was officially appointed as the club's global sporting director.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Enzo Maresca rarely says anything that could frustrate his bosses at Chelsea but he pulled no punches on Friday in his first news conference to preview the Premier League season.

He went public with his stance that he wants a new signing to replace defender Levi Colwill, who is expected to be out for the majority of the season after surgery on his knee, when he stated: "We need a central defender. We are looking for an internal solution but, as I said, the club know exactly what I think."

The Italian said Colwill's influence at Stamford Bridge is underrated, going into forensic detail about how his unique ability to build up from the back is not matched by alternatives on the club's books.

"When we build, we build with Levi in the middle. It's different to the player in the middle on the left side," Maresca explained.

"Last year, we played 64 games and we played 64 games with Levi and Tosin [Adarabioyo]. Now Levi is out, the only one that he can do that job well is Tosin.

"[Jorrel] Hato is a new one. He never played as the guy in the middle last season. So it's not about being a central defender. Yes, [he is a] central defender. Can he do that? It's different, it's not just about that."

That stance not only risks upsetting his bosses, who want him to work with what he has got, but also those alternative options who are wanting the chance to step up, including Hato, Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, Trevoh Chalobah and Josh Acheampong.

It also would rip up the club's transfer plans to strengthen in attack, with Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho the primary target, and RB Leipzig midfielder Xavi Simons also under consideration.

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Ciaran Kelly
Newcastle United reporter

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This did not feel like your typical first news conference of the season at Newcastle United's training ground.

Eddie Howe would usually expect to field questions on new signings, his ambitions for the season and, of course, the trip to Villa Park on the opening day.

But this 33-minute briefing was understandably dominated by a man who has not kicked a ball for the club since May: Alexander Isak.

Isak remains determined to join Liverpool, but Howe struck a delicate balance in his latest dealings with the media.

On one hand, Howe admitted the prospect of Isak still being at St James' Park next month was out of his hands. On the other, the Newcastle head coach did not rule out the prospect of the Swede being reintegrated.

What is clear is that Newcastle need another striker - regardless of what happens with Isak.

The prospect of winger Anthony Gordon having to lead the line against Aston Villa is a timely reminder of that.

For context, once you take Isak out of the equation, Gordon has been Newcastle's top scorer in the Premier League in the past three seasons with 18 goals.

No wonder Howe stressed on Friday that "everyone is going to have to step up and give more."

As well as finding solutions from within, Newcastle remain interested in Brentford striker Yoane Wissa as a replacement for Callum Wilson, who left the club last month.

There could be movement on that front after Brentford agreed a deal for Bournemouth forward Dango Ouattara.

Newcastle could certainly use some more firepower.

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Former Everton and Manchester United talisman Wayne Rooney believes Jack Grealish is a great acquisition by the Merseyside club.

Speaking on the BBC's The Wayne Rooney Show, the former England great thinks David Moyes has signed a motivated Grealish, who will be focused to do well at the club during his season.

"It is a great signing for both," Rooney said. "For Everton, I think it was a really clever move getting Moyes back in – he knows the club and the values of the club and I think we are starting to see with the team he is putting together.

"Jack is a player who can be the difference. He has struggled for game time this last year, lost his place in the England squad. Everton have got him at this time where he is almost in a position where he needs to go prove himself again and I think it is a great signing.

"I went for dinner and saw him - we spoke about the number 18 shirt. He said there was eight and 18 available and he said he remembered Paul Gascoigne took it and then I took it.

"He took that and it is great and I spoke about the values of the club. Everton is a club where the fans expect and demand hard work from the players. There is no doubt Jack will do that but then he has the quality on top of that which will make him a fans' favourite."

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Sophie Brown
BBC Sport journalist

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Chelsea endured their worst season in almost two decades in 2022-23, finishing 12th in the Premier League - it was a season of turmoil which saw four different managers come and go, and the volume of injuries played a key part.

The Blues had 48 separate injuries, causing a total loss of 1,836 days – both figures were more than any other top-flight club. N'Golo Kante, Armando Broja, Wesley Fofana and Reece James alone each missed more than 100 days, while the club didn't field an unchanged starting line-up in the league all season.

Things didn't get much better in 2023-24 with 43 separate injuries, a number topped only by Manchester United. Chelsea's tally of 20 different injured players again included James, who was out for 206 days with two separate problems.

However, last season saw a marked improvement, with 24 separate injuries, exactly half as many as the 2022-23 campaign. Chelsea lost 827 days to injury, less than half the amount of both the two previous seasons, with only four clubs losing fewer.

Giulia Bould
BBC Radio Merseyside reporter

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BBC Radio Merseyside understands suggestions Beto has been told he is welcome to leave Everton this summer are untrue.

The club's stance is the striker is not for sale.

The 27 year old remains part of David Moyes' plans for the season.

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

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There is a certain amount of anxiety around Wolves, although it should prove unfounded.

Vitor Pereira proved how adept he is after taking a side rooted in the bottom three to mid-table comfort in a matter of months last season.

While Wolves have failed to win during the summer, it should not be taken as a barometer of any potential success or failure ahead of Saturday's opening day visit of Manchester City.

Yet no Matheus Cunha or Rayan Ait-Nouri has made Wolves fans uneasy after the pair departed for Manchester United and City respectively.

Without Cunha's goals - he scored 15 and made six assists in the Premier League last season - there are legitimate questions where those lost goals will come from. Ait-Nouri also provided four goals in the league and a bunch of assists from full-back.

Wolves scored 63 goals last season in all competitions but they have lost more than half of those goals: 32 in total, including Cunha's 17, while Goncalo Guedes [five], Ait-Nouri [five], Pablo Sarabia [three], Tommy Doyle [one] and Mario Lemina [one].

Of the five players who played the most minutes they have also lost three: Ait-Nouri [3.406] Nelson Semedo [3,077] and Cunha [2,831].

As expected, Jorgen Strand Larsen turned his loan into a permanent move, and his 14 goals were useful in an impressive debut season but he will need support. New additions Fer Lopez and Jhon Arias will provide threat but need time.

David Moller Wolfe has filled the full-back role after arriving from AZ but Wolves do lack quality deputies for Andre and Joao Gomes in midfield, as willing as Marshall Munetsi or Jean-Ricner Bellegarde are.

Another summer saw another loss of a captain with Semedo opting against signing a new deal, following Conor Coady, Ruben Neves and Max Kilman in leaving Molineux - with ex-skipper Lemina also departing in February.

There are still spaces to be filled, which is understood at Molineux. With Pereira having more control - and ally Domenico Teti replacing Matt Hobbs in the newly titled director of professional football role - the Wolves manager should be able to guide his side through any difficulties.

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Former Wolves manager Mick McCarthy has been reflecting on how he managed to get the club promoted in 2009.

Wolves almost went up in the 2006-07 season but agonisingly lost 4-2 on aggregate to fierce rivals West Bromwich Albion in the Championship play-off semi-finals.

They were in the mix for the play-offs the following season too, only to miss out on sixth place by a goal difference of one.

Speaking to BBC Radio WM, McCarthy explained how he managed to rejuvenate the dressing room, but recalled how he had not been supremely confident when he first arrived at the club.

"You may remember my quote at the time," he said. "I said that MM stands for Mick McCarthy - not Merlin the Magician!

"You take the club on but it was Wolves, for goodness sake. Then it was my job to deal with the players."

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In that promotion campaign of 2008-09, McCarthy suggested some of the players he was able to acquire - along with his own positive attitude - made a stirring difference in the dressing room.

"You have to lift yourself up first - you have to come back in ready for it," McCarthy said. "The players have to see that you have come back in energised.

"That third season when we won promotion, we won seven on the bounce.

"The players were young and hungry. Christophe Berra was a huge signing for us as was a wonderful centre-forward from Plymouth, who got all the goals. Sylvan Ebanks-Blake was amazing!"

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Karan Vinod
BBC Sport journalist

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Parma's teenage centre-back Giovanni Leoni has emerged as one of Serie A's most intriguing defensive prospects - and it is no surprise that Liverpool are closing in on a deal for the 18-year-old.

Last season, Leoni enjoyed a breakthrough campaign, earning plaudits for his composure in possession and ability to read the game. But a closer look at the data from fbref.com via Opta, compared with other defenders in Italy's top flight, paints a fuller picture of where he stands.

A percentile shows how a player compares to others in the same position. For example, being in the 80th percentile for a stat means they perform better than 80% of their peers in that area.

One facet where he ranks very highly is winning aerial duels. Here he ranks in the 93rd percentile, meaning he very rarely loses them, albeit perhaps Serie A is not at the physicality of the Premier League.

The chart below shows he has also performed strongly in metrics such as clearances and passes blocked, perhaps an indication of his alertness and positional awareness.

The centre-back averages 4.73 clearances per 90 minutes. However, these numbers are affected by the fact Parma do not dominate the ball so their defence is required to work harder as a result.

Leoni's pass completion sits at the 61st percentile which suggests he is comfortable retaining possession, but can be inaccurate when distributing from the back. In Arne Slot's system, where centre-backs are often tasked with initiating attacks under pressure, refining that consistency could be a key part of his development.

His figures for challenges lost are also notable. This points to a player still developing his strength and reading of one-on-one situations. It may also reflect the fact that, as a young defender, he is still learning when to commit and when to hold his position.

For now, the statistics tell the story of a player on the rise, and if the move is completed, Anfield could be the stage on which he fulfils his potential.

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We asked for your thoughts on Cristian Romero being named Tottenham captain - and you were divided in your responses.

Here is a snapshot:

Tony: Brilliant choice, World Cup winner. It will give him responsibility, which in turn will improve his hot-headedness.

Paul: Absolutely spot on! Romero is our most inspirational player (when he's on form). He was also one of the vice-captains last season, so it would have been a bit rude if he'd been overlooked for captain this season.

Peter: Romero is a good captain, but not as notable as Son, Kane and others. He is very aggressive and daring on the pitch, but sometimes I think his disciplinary record is not too good. Players like Vicario and Maddison could maybe be good choices, but I think he is a good captain to lead us out. The comments about our pre-season were not particularly positive, so interesting times are ahead.

Mark: Romero has no self-control and is a loose cannon. I would have given it to Pedro Porro, who has passion but can be a calming influence when required.

Ken: Loses his cool regularly and seemingly was agitating for a move before being priced out. However, there aren't any obvious alternatives, so perhaps he's the only choice.

Paul B: No! Romero is not the right choice for captain. I'm not actually sure who among the current squad is a suitable captain. Romero cannot be trusted to keep his cool and stay on the pitch. This is a sorry state of affairs for the club to be in one week before the start of the season. Sign Marc Guehi and make him captain now, please!

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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Styles have always shifted in football.

The fashion was once to find a centre-forward, usually a big one, and build a team around him - and for him. Times moved on and the number 10 became the godlike figure to be worshipped.

Recently, even defensive midfielders have had their day in the sun, but there has never been a better time to be an out-and-out winger than now, specifically one who can dribble and attack defenders.

But despite the likes of Paris St-Germain, Barcelona, Chelsea, Manchester City and many more wanting wily wingers, one club not only does not want them, it is doing everything it can to get rid of them.

Ruben Amorim at Manchester United is so completely spellbound by his system that wingers are consigned to the so-called 'bomb squad', not worthy of even training with the main group.

He certainly is not being affected by the current fashion for flash on the flanks.

Does this mean he is behind the times? It has been a long time since any team that played with a back three and no wingers was truly successful in England. Antonio Conte managed it at Chelsea for a short while but even he evolved away from it.

Then again, Amorim could also be ahead of his time; wing wonders may be little more than a passing fad. I hope not because they are so exciting when at their best - even though they are just as infuriating at their worst.

We will find out about Amorim by Christmas at the latest. If his team is still in the bottom half of the Premier League by then, the owners will lose patience as will the fans.

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