Spurs, City among early pace-setters

With almost all the teams in the top flight having played four matches, the Premier League stops for the first international break of the season.

At present, there are two unfamiliar clubs in the top-four zone. While champions Manchester United and Chelsea are among the leading four teams, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City are also flying high after maintaining their perfect start to the season.

The other two heavyweights, Arsenal and Liverpool, are not far from the top four, but the Reds have found the going tough this time round and are seventh − six points behind the leaders.

The last time Tottenham enjoyed such a bright start in the top league was in the early 1960s but Chelsea, this season under Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti, are in familiar surroundings.

Both the Spurs and the Blues have won all their matches (two at home and two away), yet Tottenham have conceded a goal in every game while Chelsea have kept clean sheets in their last two outings.

Harry Redknapp has suffered a severe setback after Croatian midfielder Luka Modric, one of his best players, broke his leg against Birmingham.

Over the past four years, the animosity between Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson and Arsenal's Arsene Wenger appeared to have cooled but with the Gunners now looking capable of challenging the Red Devils all the way, sparks have begun to fly.

After United's 2-1 win over Arsenal at Old Trafford last weekend, Wenger was unhappy with the way the game unfolded. Wenger also received an apology from the Premier League Officials Board for his last-minute sending-off.

The Frenchman accused United of adopting 'anti-football' tactics. Wenger claimed that the scourge of persistent fouling has now become a greater concern than that of simulation - an issue raised by UEFA's decision to ban Arsenal forward Eduardo for diving to win a penalty during the Champions League victory against Celtic recently.

Manchester City have persisted with their smart work as most of the Premier clubs have become envious of the riches at Mark Hughes's disposal. In pre-season, many spoke of City's fearsome forward line, but it's their defensive stoutness that has caught the eye as the Sky Blues have yet to concede a goal.

The Arsenal fans are now kicking themselves for driving Emanuel Adebayor out of the Emirates Stadium. The striker has scored in every Premier League game since joining Manchester City. The Citizens' victory at Portsmouth was their second away win, equalling their total of away victories throughout the whole of last season.

Stoke have made a strong start. In their opening four league matches last season, they won once and lost three but this term, they have chalked up two wins, a draw and a defeat.

The last couple of signings from Middlesbrough, defender Robert Huth and striker Sanli Tuncay, will be great assets for the Potters.

Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres are key players for Liverpool and when they have an off day, the team's performances suffer considerably. Liverpool, usually rock-solid in defence, have looked shaky at the back, letting in seven goals in four matches.

Greek defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos had a positive debut in the 3-2 win over Bolton. Critics have suggested that Rafa Benitez may be forced to quit his seat at Anfield if he fails to deliver the league title this season.

Clubs like Fulham and Everton have had a disappointing start but many expect them to improve as the season moves on.

Everton manager David Moyes has high hopes that the injury-time win over Wigan last weekend will kickstart his team's campaign.

The Cottagers' 4,500-mile trip for their Europa League play-off against Russia's Amkar Perm was not offered as an excuse by Fulham manager Roy Hodgson after their defeat at Aston Villa.

Hodgson is the leading candidate to manage Great Britain's football team at the 2012 London Olympics.

Takeover at Portsmouth

Bolton and Portsmouth are the only two sides without a point in the 2009/10 Premier League.

Now that the takeover of Portsmouth has been completed, manager Paul Hart can work with more tranquility at Fratton Park.

Gary Megson, who has always had his doubters among the Bolton supporters, must strive to earn the plaudits if he wants to continue with his stint at the Reebok Stadium.

Of the promoted trio - Burnley, Birmingham and Wolves, the Clarets are the best-placed but the other two have also shown resilience in their matches so far.

Wolves had a catalogue of late chances against Hull City but failed to find a winner. Birmingham also had a good outing against Tottenham but a late goal sent them home empty-handed.