Manchester United claimed their second Premier League victory of the season last weekend as they held out for a 2-1 win over West Ham at Old Trafford despite having captain Wayne Rooney sent off with 30 minutes remaining.
With two wins, two draws and the same number of defeats, Louis van Gaal’s side are currently seventh in the standings, eight points behind leaders Chelsea.
Tomorrow, United host 14th-placed Everton who were somewhat lucky to salvage a point with a stoppage-time equaliser in the derby against Liverpool.
Rooney was apologetic after his red card marred the 10th anniversary of his Manchester United debut.
Now, the captain faces four weeks without a game for United.
Everton did not play well at Anfield but, at the back, the combination of Phil Jagielka and John Stones was solid and their performances will have been noted by England boss Roy Hodgson.
In the last 10 seasons of Premier League football, United hold the upperhand on Everton with six wins.
2013: United-Everton 0-1.
2013: United-Everton 2-0.
2012: United-Everton 4-4.
2011: United-Everton 1-0.
2009: United-Everton 3-0.
2009: United-Everton 1-0.
2007: United-Everton 2-1.
2006: United-Everton 3-0.
2005: United-Everton 1-1.
2004: United-Everton 0-0.
The ‘derby of the undefeated’ is the clash between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge tomorrow.
The London rivals are the only two Premier League sides without a loss so far but the Blues are leading the Gunners by six points.
Manager Jose Mourinho believes that Eden Hazard’s below-par showing against Aston Villa was a one-off as Chelsea, who in midweek beat Sporting Lisbon 1-0 in the Champions League, have relied heavily on Diego Costa’s initial splurge of goals in establishing their advantage at the summit.
This will be the third derby for Arsenal this season after they edged out Crystal Palace 2-1 and figured in a one-all draw against Tottenham 1-1 in front of their fans.
Aaron Ramsey and Mikel Arteta are the latest casualties in the Arsenal squad as Jack Wilshere faces a late fitness test.
Meanwhile, former United striker Danny Welbeck is showing great form at Arsenal. On Wednesday, the England forward grabbed a hat-trick in the 4-1 Champions League win over Galatasaray at the Emirates.
Tomorrow, the Gunners will come across their former captain Cesc Fabregas for the first time since the Spaniard’s move to Chelsea from Barcelona in the summer.
Surprise package Southampton lost half of their team in transfers in the off-season. Yet, their manager Ronald Koeman deserves all the praise he is getting after guiding the Saints to second place following an impressive start to the season.
Tomorrow, Southampton face Tottenham, led by their former manager Mauricio Pochettino, at White Hart Lane.
Italian forward Graziano Pelle continued his red-hot start to life on the south coast with his fifth goal of the season in the 2-1 home win over QPR.
Third-placed Manchester City, five points adrift of Chelsea, play at Villa Park this evening.
The Citizens, held to a one-all draw by Italy’s Roma in the Champions League on Tuesday, are still undefeated away, with two wins and a draw.
Dejected Liverpool hope to return to winning form against West Brom at Anfield.
Jordan Henderson feels that criticism of Steven Gerrard is totally unjustified as the captain’s perceived waning influence has been highlighted as a factor in Liverpool’s shaky start.
Daniel Sturridge’s injury is proving damaging for Liverpool − they have taken one point from a possible nine in his absence.
Liverpool’s bad sequence spilled over to the continent in midweek as they went down 0-1 in Basel.
At the Stadium of Light, Sunderland cross swords with Stoke.
Sunderland’s wait for a win will extend into October for a second season in a row, but their former loanee Ki Sung-yeung believes the club should keep faith with Gus Poyet.
The Black Cats dominated against Swansea last weekend but failure to put away their scoring chances is undermining their efforts.
Fixtures and forecast
Premier League
Aston Villa-Man. City (18.30) - 2
Hull-Crystal Palace - 1
Leicester-Burnley - 1
Liverpool-West Brom - 1
Sunderland-Stoke - X
Swansea-Newcastle - X
Tomorrow:
Chelsea-Arsenal (15.05) - X
Man. United-Everton (13.00) - 1
Tottenham-Southampton (15.05) - 1
West Ham-QPR (17.15) - X
Standings: Chelsea 16; Southampton 13; Man. City 11; Arsenal, Swansea, Aston Villa 10; Man. United, Tottenham, C. Palace, West Brom, Stoke, Leicester 8; West Ham, Liverpool 7; Everton, Hull 6; Sunderland 5; QPR 4; Newcastle, Burnley 3.
The Championship
Blackburn-Huddersfield - 1
Bolton-Bournemouth - X
Brentford-Reading - X
Charlton-Birmingham - 1
Derby-Millwall - 1
Leeds-Sheff. Wed. (13.15) - X
Middlesbrough-Fulham - 1
Norwich-Rotherham - 1
Watford-Brighton - 1
Wolves-Wigan - 1
Tomorrow:
Nottm Forest-Ipswich - 1
League One
Bradford-Crewe - 1
Chesterfield-Sheff. Utd (14.00) - X
Coventry-Crawley - 1
Fleetwood-Port Vale - 1
Leyton Orient-Swindon - 1
Notts County-Gillingham - 1
Peterborough-Oldham - 1
Preston-Colchester - 1
Rochdale-Barnsley - X
Scunthorpe-Doncaster - X
Walsall-Bristol City - 2
Yeovil-MK Dons - X
League Two
Bury-Tranmere - 1
Cheltenham-Wimbledon - 1
Hartlepool-Carlisle - 1
Mansfield-Accrington - 1
Oxford-Newport - X
Plymouth-Shrewsbury - X
Southend-Morecambe - 1
Stevenage-Luton - X
Wycombe-Northampton - 1
York-Portsmouth - X
Hot four
Hull, Leicester, Swansea, Middlesbrough.