EPL Hits and Misses: Blues march on as Saints continue to surprise

HITS

Chelsea
I'm running out of words to describe them. Many might remember Jose Mourinho having a blistering league start in his year of his first reign as Chelsea manager, but even that pales in comparison with the Blues' current campaign. After six games, the Blues have five wins and one draw, scoring 19 times in the process. Back at the same stage of the season in 2004, the newly-minted Special One mustered one four wins and two draws with his team netting just six goals. While Manuel Pellegrini might disagree after saying Chelsea played like Stoke at the Etihad last week, Mourinho is clearly focusing on offence this term rather than defence (Chelsea have conceded seven times compared to the miserly one in 2004). As long as they preserve those delicate hamstrings of Diego Costa, Chelsea are looking comfortable as favourites to win the league.

Diego Costa
If he really is barely training as Mourinho says he is, it's frightening to think what a monster the Spaniard could become should he actually be able to train fully.

Southampton
They may have lost a number of their stars in the summer, but it's becoming more and more apparent that the Saints have not lost any of their shine under Ronald Koeman. Brilliant buys and some shrewd dealing in the loan market have made sure none of Messrs Shaw, Lallana, Lambert and Lovren et al have been missed.

Graziano Pelle (pictured) and Charlie Austin
Two special strikes from a game that most fans would've overlooked. Shame one of them had to end up on the losing end.

Manchester City
It was the result they needed after two well-ground draws against two title contenders. The champions - or rather, Eliaquim Managala - definitely didn't make it easy for themselves, but they showed the right mentality to dispatch Hull despite throwing away a two-goal lead.

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Edin Dzeko
Two great finishes, with one that's certainly in contention for goal of the week. Pity it had to come in a week with so many other great goals, like the one from...

Phil Jagielka
Maybe there might have been some truth in that "What would Jagielka do?" story involving David Moyes and Rio Ferdinand. A wonder strike, pure and simple.

Everton
I wrote on Friday that the Merseyside derby was a must-win for both sides. Even though the game ended in a stalemate, Everton edged their red neighbours into the Hits column by virtue of their defensive improvement that saw them concede only because of a Stevie G special. Roberto Martinez opted for the young John Stones in place of the aging and out-of-form Sylvain Distin - a decision that certainly paid dividends. And how can they not be a hit with that stoppage time equaliser from Jagielka?

Manchester United
For a moment, the ghosts of Leicester were briefly seen walking around the corridors Old Trafford. Fortunately for United fans, the Red Devils clung to their 2-1 lead to exorcise the demons of last weekend. Despite the defensive crisis, promising debuts from Paddy McNair and Luke Shaw should tide things over for Louis van Gaal while Marcos Rojo made a seemless switch into the centre from left-back. United still have means to go before they're considered a serious title threat, but boy did they need that win.

Paddy McNair
A good shift from the rookie on his Man United debut with a match-saving moment worthy of making the highlights reel. Not too shabby for a 19-year-old.

Crystal Palace
It didn't look good for Palace when Tony Pulis left before the season even began after he guided them out of a predicted relegation dogfight to a comfortable mid-table Premier League finish. It looked even worse when Neil Warnock was announced as his successor. However, the managerial change didn't clip the Eagles' wings as Warnock has enjoyed an unbeaten four-game start to his second spell as Palace boss.

West Brom
From basement dwellers to mid-table after two matches. It's amazing what back-to-back wins can do sometimes.

MISSES

Wayne Rooney
Stupid. Utterly, utterly stupid. Even though he's just celebrated the 10th anniversary of his Manchester United debut, it feels like nothing has changed with Wayne Rooney. While he showed everyone his best with a lovely finish to open the scoring at Old Trafford, Rooney sunk to his worst when nearly cost his team a precious recovery win with a trademark moment of madness with his careless hack at Stewart Downing. The Red Devils might have had some hot heads for skippers like Roy Keane and Eric Cantona in the past, but United could ill-afford such a display of petulance from their leader when their situation was so precarious. They were leading and Downing was in his own half - there was simply no need for it. Rooney might have apologised, but he could be even sorrier if he loses his place during his three-match absence.

Eliaquim Mangala
An own goal and a penalty conceded with a foul which might have easily been a sending off for a high boot if it had occurred anywhere else in Europe. Definitely a day in the office to forget for the Frenchman.

Liverpool
Two points dropped. While losing Daniel Sturridge has played a part, Liverpool are missing Luis Suarez a bit like how Tottenham did after Gareth Bale was sold last season. Despite spending the windfall from the Uruguayan's sale on several new players, none of their promising new signings have really clicked into gear. Lazar Markovic has looked lost while injury has hampered Adam Lallana from settling in at Anfield. And despite the high profile nature of his transfer, Mario Balotelli isn't producing the goods expected of him following Suarez's departure. New signings usually take time to gel, but that's a commodity Brendan Rodgers doesn't have much of if he is to replicate Pool's heroics from last season.

Mathieu Flaimini
Has to thank Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for sparing his blushes after his dithering gave Spurs the opening goal in a fixture that has been long dominated by Arsenal.

Leicester City
Riding the roller coaster from beating Manchester United to a simpering defeat to Crystal Palace.

Aston Villa
Like West Brom in reverse, back-to-back losses have sent Villa from second to sixth. Are they reverting back to their form from last season?

Sunderland and Swansea
Yawn.

QPR
Another relegation dogfight beckons.

Burnley
One goal in six games. Moved from second-last to bottom even though Newcastle haven't played. Surely we can consider them relegated now, can't we?