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Five games into the Premier League season and the first international break offers the perfect opportunity to take stock.
There have been perfect starts, surprise packages and early signs of crisis, while new managers and summer rebuilds have already made their mark.
Taking results, performances and pre-season expectations into account, we've graded all 20 Premier League clubs on their start to the 2026/27 campaign.
Arsenal - B+
A shock setback at Brighton sees the champions drop a grade, with the manner of their 3-0 defeat more concerning than the result itself.
Arsenal had headed to Brighton on a seven-game winning streak in all competitions and with just one goal conceded in four league games prior. Mikel Arteta called it a 'big lesson' for the Gunners, who will be out to prove it was a rare blip on the return from the break. There's no need to panic.
Aston Villa - C+
After a summer spent watching their stars set sail for new challenges, Aston Villa headed into the campaign as a team in transition. Unai Emery's side failed to win in their first four, but a 3-2 success at Spurs before the break was encouraging, particularly as it saw new names shine.
A slow start should have perhaps been expected, but Villa are up and running and have made a winning start in the EFL Cup and Champions League.
Brentford - A
One of five unbeaten teams in the Premier League as we head into the international break, Brentford continue to exceed expectations. Keith Andrews' side sit fourth, having taken nine points from five games.
Emphatic home wins over Tottenham and Chelsea have been highlights. Brentford, with one of the lowest budgets in the league, continue to punch well above their weight.
Bournemouth - C
Bournemouth remain without a Premier League win under Marco Rose, but have been better than results suggest. Conceding late equalisers denied wins over Everton and Newcastle, but a first-ever European win at Real Sociedad showed the Cherries can thrive under the new boss.
Brighton - A+
Fabian Hurzeler is flavour of the month in the Premier League after a flying start for the Seagulls. Brighton sit third in the table and are the league's leading scorers, having thrashed Aston Villa (4-0), Coventry (5-0) and champions Arsenal (3-0).
Expect more teams to leave the Amex Stadium on the wrong side of a humbling if Brighton can maintain their suffocating press.
Chelsea - C
Few sides have such contrast between their positives and negatives as Chelsea. The club's frontline of Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, and Joao Pedro looks electric, but the Blues are shipping goals at an alarming rate.
Xabi Alonso has become only the sixth manager to concede 2+ goals in each of his first five Premier League games. The area for improvement is clear.
Coventry City - D
One win has transformed the mood at Coventry heading into the break. Coventry lost their first four games of the season with the Sky Blues, failing to score in the process, before a hard-fought success at Nottingham Forest.
Coventry must improve, but that win has increased confidence that the club can compete.
Crystal Palace - D+
Pierre Sage will not be overly impressed with his start at Crystal Palace, who have won once in their first five games.
The Eagles edged out Fulham in early September, but have suffered bad home losses to Manchester City and newly-promoted Ipswich. Improvement has been found in cup competition, including a 4-0 thrashing of Lech Pozan in their Europa League opener.
Everton - B+
So far, so good for Everton who remain unbeaten in seven games across all competitions.
It is only the third time this century the Toffees have achieved that feat, in what was a much-needed positive start after their late transfer window shambles.
It hasn't always been convincing, but it's a platform to build from. Improvement from the likes of Thierno Barry and Tyrique George has been welcomed.
Fulham - E
It's been a tough start for Alvaro Arbeloa at The Cottage. The Spaniard's still waiting for his first win, with Fulham only off the bottom by virtue of goal difference.
Arbeloa's side have shown spirit to hold Liverpool and Manchester United in what the new head coach will hope is the start of an upturn.
Hull City - A+
Written off as relegation certainties before a ball had been kicked, Hull have exceeded all expectations. Their promotion itself was a surprise last season, having defied the underlying data to reach the Premier League.
The Tigers beat Manchester United on the opening weekend and have not looked back. They've taken eight points from five games to sit eighth in the table. Sergej Jakirović will be delighted.
Ipswich Town - B+
The objective for any promoted side is to stay clear of the drop, and Ipswich have done that so far. The Tractor Boys have claimed wins over Sunderland and Crystal Palace to sit in mid-table. Ipswich face Fulham (H), Nottingham Forest (H) and Hull (A) among their first four games after the break. It's a run that could define their season.
Leeds United - A
Daniel Farke has overseen an unbeaten start for Leeds United and Elland Road again feels like a daunting trip. Leeds are tough to break down, physically powerful, and a real nuisance at set pieces. No side will fancy the trip to face them this season.
Liverpool - B-
Liverpool are another side who have not lost so far this season, but Andoni Iraola's side have not quite passed the eye test. Problems remain in midfield, with Ryan Gravenberch's drop-off, questions over Dominik Szoboszlai's best position, and Florian Wirtz's output all remain causes for concern.
Alexander Isak's goals and Jeremy Jacquet's impressive start provide positives, but Liverpool look a distance from the Premier League's top teams as things stand.
Manchester City - A
Five wins from five see Manchester City head into the break with a three-point lead at the top of the Premier League table.
Enzo Maresca will consider that a job well done, given the amount of change in the summer, but knows the Cityzens have scope to get better. Conceding three in victory over Sunderland last weekend was a warning sign.
Manchester United - E
Michael Carrick's honeymoon period is over as Manchester United manager. After the relative comfort of a caretaker reign, the pressure is on now Carrick has taken the permanent reins.
On paper, Manchester United had a favourable fixture list to start the season but have taken just five points. It's the club's joint-worst start to a Premier League campaign. Alarm bells are ringing.
Newcastle United - B
Few teams had as challenging a transfer window as Newcastle, who lost head coach Eddie Howe and Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali, and Bruno Guimaraes.
In came a collection of young talent, with Matthias Jaissle tasked with overseeing the transition.
The gamble on the 38-year-old coach looks like a good one as things stand, with the German's style and presence winning admirers. A 4-1 battering at Leeds is the only real blot on Jaissle's copybook so far.
Nottingham Forest - C
Another side under new management this season, Oliver Glasner will not be entirely satisfied with his start. Forest have been excellent on the road, taking four points from tough trips to Liverpool and Aston Villa, but are yet to win at home. Defeat to winless Coventry will have Glasner stewing over the break.
Sunderland - C+
Sunderland's second season back in the Premier League was always going to be tougher, with limited funds to invest in the summer and the added workload of European football.
The Black Cats are victims of their own success, but have taken four points from five games to sit 14th in the table. A tough recent fixture run continues after the break, and Régis Le Bris will want more from his side. A spirited defeat at Man City offers encouragement.
Tottenham Hotspur - F
The summer optimism that surrounded Spurs has well and truly evaporated. After successive 17th-place finishes in the Premier League, Spurs spent heavily in the summer in a bid for improvement.
Five games into the season, the North Londoners are without a win and bottom of the table. Roberto De Zerbi has called for patience. Five games in, it's already wearing thin.