Three Talking Points From the Premier League Weekend

Chelsea and Manchester City have adapted fastest to a Premier League season that has already exposed sharp contrasts between ambitious spending and early results. City moved top with a 4-1 win over Crystal Palace, while Chelsea beat Brighton 4-3 to maintain Xabi Alonso’s perfect start.

Chelsea’s front three of Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers has given Alonso an attacking platform after the club finished 10th last season. The team has scored seven goals in two matches and will face a tougher test against champions Arsenal next weekend.

Against Brighton, Chelsea had only 26 percent possession, the lowest figure in any league match of Alonso’s managerial career. The approach relied on inviting Brighton forward and attacking on the counter, with Pedro’s third goal beginning in Chelsea’s own area. Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler said Chelsea “has so much quality on transition moments” and may have “the best offensive line in the league.”

Tottenham’s start has been the clearest warning that money cannot immediately solve a team’s problems. Roberto De Zerbi has overseen spending of more than £300 million ahead of the transfer deadline, but Tottenham lost 3-0 at Brentford and 2-0 at home to Newcastle. The club sits bottom without a goal after two matches, its first such start since 1974-75.

Liverpool also began slowly under Andoni Iraola, drawing both of their opening games. De Zerbi acknowledged that Tottenham’s mentality, rather than its spending, will shape the season as pressure builds after successive 17th-place finishes.

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Chelsea has so much quality on transition moments they have maybe the best offensive line in the league.