Johnny Phillips: Erling Haaland's early form should concern Manchester City’s title rivals

His form in the opening three matches has been tremendous and if he stays fit for the entire season then it is hard to see how Pep Guardiola ‘s side can be stopped.

The only other side with a perfect start from the opening three games is Liverpool.

Arne Slot has, er, slotted into the new role seamlessly so far. No goals conceded and looking as dynamic as ever in attack, with a clearly rejuvenated Mo Salah and fit again Diogo Jota, there is a lot to like about this Reds side.

Arsenal dropped their first points at the weekend, after Declan Rice’s sending off at home to Brighton.

It was a bad lapse. Despite just being just three games in, it already feels as if dropped points will be very costly.

In defence of Mikel Arteta’s team they have improved every season he has been at the club and with further reinforcements added, including a fit again Justin Timber, they should last the pace with the frontrunners.

The also-rans at the right end of the table in recent seasons – Brighton, Newcastle and Aston Villa – all look strong enough to maintain a challenge against the more established European competitors, which should hopefully make for an interesting qualification race.

Brighton seem to have found a happy knack of replacing managers without impacting negatively on the team.

Fabian Hurzeler looks set to keep with that trend. His team’s early performances look particularly encouraging, with Joao Pedro thriving in attack.

Newcastle found it tough maintaining a Champions League and Premier League challenge last season but appear to have stepped up again with a couple of adjustments to the team.

Tino Livramento looks a class act at full-back and could establish himself as a regular starter.

Villa have their work cut out competing in Europe’s top competition but the win at Leicester last weekend showed their resilience. The true test will come when the Champions League begins, but supporters should be hopeful that their domestic form will not suffer.

It all makes life especially challenging for Spurs and Chelsea, who must be fearing the days of regular European qualification are not as straight forward as they once were.

Ange Postecoglou will continue to do things his way but he will need to get results soon if he is to avoid probing questions.

At Chelsea, Enzo Maresca will be hoping that his appointment brings an end to the revolving managerial door at Stamford Bridge.

A settled side would help, and Maresca appears to have quickly made his mind up about certain players.

Of the promoted teams, none are making a particularly convincing case for staying up so far, but it will take time to acclimatise to such a tough league.

All three clubs will need their home form to be competitive if they are to have a chance.

Leicester, so impressive in the Championship under Maresca, are taking on the challenge with a different style under new manager Steve Cooper.

The lack of pace in central defensive positions could prove costly but the Foxes should not be discounted yet.

If there is one manager in the league utterly devoted to one way of playing it is Russell Martin at Southampton. It is a bold approach but he fended off criticism and a poor start last season to earn promotion.

A strong-willed individual with a total belief in his methods, Martin won’t be too concerned that some pundits are already writing off Saints’ chances.

Kieran McKenna almost moved on from Ipswich Town on two occasions in the past 12 months. He all but accepted the job of Crystal Palace manager last winter, changing his mind at the 11th hour to guide the Tractor Boys to a famous promotion.

Then, during the summer break, it appeared as if a deal to replace Roberto de Zerbi at Brighton had been agreed, before he committed his future to the Suffolk club.

Portman Road will need to be the fortress it has been over the last two seasons if McKenna is to work his magic again.

All three promoted clubs may yet have a better chance of survival than Everton, who showed incredible incompetence in the dying minutes of last weekend’s home defeat to Bournemouth, surrendering a two-goal lead.

The fear for Sean Dyche’s side is that there are not enough goals in the team over the course of a season.

When they did produce at the right end of the pitch last week, it was the defence who let them down.

For season after season Everton lurch from one crisis to another, always avoiding relegation. Surely it will catch up with them one day.