Johnny Phillips: Two weeks in and Premier League follows a familiar theme

They will again be the team to beat and with so many of the big clubs already dropping points it is hard to envisage a contender coming through on the basis of what we have seen so far.

Maybe it will be Arsenal who will push them closest again.

The Gunners need to add some resilience to their play and there has been early evidence of that with the hard-fought victory over Crystal Palace on Monday evening.

Declan Rice – whose British record transfer fee lasted barely a fortnight – was brought in to strengthen the midfield and appears to have settled straight in. Mikel Arteta will be hoping the flair shines through elsewhere as the season progresses.

There was plenty of flair on show in the second half of Tottenham’s 2-0 win at home to Manchester United.

Ange Postecoglou’s genuine character has shone through as a breath of fresh air during his media interviews but there is a real substance to the style of football his teams play.

The second half of Saturday night’s victory was impressive so early on in the season.

Much has been made of the goals that need replacing in Harry Kane’s absence but would it be wrong to suggest that with a more all-round team game, Spurs might not miss their striking talisman?

Liverpool and Chelsea appear to have plenty of options.

Jurgen Klopp’s side have shown signs that they are ready to bounce back from a disappointing showing last season. They look a potent force in attack already but there are still misgivings about how sturdy they are further back down the pitch, particularly through the middle.

Mauricio Pochettino may take all season to work out his best side. There is plenty of talent at Stamford Bridge but it is a long way from being harnessed effectively.

Chelsea put in a decent performance against West Ham and were only undone by individual errors.

Raheem Sterling’s return to form was pleasing on the eye. Many had written him off after a dreadful season last time but he appears to be a rejuvenated presence in the side.

Can Newcastle United manage to sustain another impressive Premier League season while taking on the challenge of Champions League football?

They will continue to be a force at St James’ Park and the way they remained in the game away at Manchester City last weekend suggests they have the necessary resilience to last the distance.

The real test will come when those midweek European nights clutter the fixture list.

Brighton look set for another impressive season and their style of football continues to delight.

The dismantling of Wolves last weekend was ruthless and in Kaoru Mitoma they have a player who can change the course of a game in an instant.

The clamour on the south coast for Solly March to be rewarded with an England cap has not quite been matched across the country but if he keeps up his early season form then Gareth Southgate will have to consider him at some stage.

Villa bounced back in style against a woeful Everton.

It is hard to make an early judgment on Unai Emery’s side who were unlucky to lose so heavily at Newcastle on the opening weekend but rolled over the Merseysiders last Sunday.

Everton were poor and in the wake of their opening day home defeat to Fulham their fans will be fearful of another season of struggle.

It is hard to see where the goals are coming from and Sean Dyche does not have the tools at his disposal yet. With so much doubt cast over the club’s finances this will be another season of struggle and Everton will be relying on others if they are to avoid the drop again.

Last season there were a whole host of clubs looking over their shoulders until the final few weeks.

It is unlikely to be so cluttered down at the bottom this time around and some pundits are suggesting there is only one relegation place to be decided, with Luton and Sheffield United likely to occupy the other two.

That would be disrespectful to the two promoted teams who have two great coaches in their dugouts.

But both the Hatters and the Blades lack the squad depth and quality that more established clubs have in this division so it will be an uphill battle to prove the doubters wrong.

Who else could be dragged into the mire?

Bournemouth and Wolves struggled for so long last season and having changed their managers over the summer it will take some time for both sides to settle into the campaign.

Fulham without Aleksandar Mitrovic will not be the force of last season and if Marco Silva’s side struggle for goals then there may be a few more afternoons like the one they endured against neighbours Brentford at Craven Cottage last Saturday.

As always in the Premier League, finding a reliable source of goals will be key to whatever the ambition is, be it avoiding the drop or going in search of success higher up the table.