Premier League Team-by-Team Ten Game Reports

Liverpool need Super Mario to live up to his nickname

The Premier League season is ten games old and how are everyone shaping up? Alex Johnson looks at all 20 clubs...

With a quarter of the season now gone, the Premier League is really taking shape.

The busy period from now until New Year's Day could be season-defining for many of the 20 clubs.

From top to bottom, we assess progress to date and hopes for the remainder of the campaign.

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Chelsea:

Faultless so far, Chelsea look to be on cruise control at this point. Fabregas has been a revelation and Hazard appears to be maturing alongside him. Mourinho has seamlessly transitioned from Cech to Courtois without a glitch. The Stamford Bridge boss has resisted the speculation, but if Costa's hamstrings hold up the Blues could be invincible.

Southampton:

A breath of fresh air. Saints fans feared the worst following a mass summer exodus but Koeman has arguably assembled a better unit than last season. Forster looks an inspired purchase as part of the meanest defence in the league. Pelle is becoming a star from nowhere and with a decent run of games looming, Southampton can hold their top-four place into next year.

Manchester City:

The champions are already up against it. The derby win over United must signal the start of a winning run or the crown will be all but gone by Christmas.

Toure looks a shadow of his former self and City are relying heavily on Aguero to keep them in the hunt. Big-money summer signing Mangala has looked shaky at the back. Chelsea have raised the bar and Pellegrini's side are struggling to go with them.

Arsenal:

There have been teething problems but the Gunners are stirring from their early-season slumber. Sanchez is flourishing and with Ramsey fit and now Walcott returning, Wenger's option are increasing. Welbeck is justifying his move from Old Trafford and the likely outcome is that Arsenal will do what they always do... comfortably finish in the top four. Is that enough to keep the Emirates natives content?

West Ham:

The Hammers are in dreamland. 'Big Sam' has got West Ham playing attacking football. In Sakho and Valencia, Allardyce has procured a very smart strike force. The goals have flowed and there is now a purpose and belief about West Ham - typified in their win over Man City.

Downing is recapturing the sort of form that made him an England international while Song's physical presence gives the Hammers an edge.

Swansea:

After a blistering start, Swansea have lost their way a little with just one win in seven. The international breaks have not helped boss Monk, with Sigurdsson in particular appearing to shed momentum after his heroics for Iceland.

Bony continues to supply the goals but Monk will be targeting some upcoming key games to get his side on track.

Liverpool:

Rodgers' side have undoubtedly regressed from the title-contending, fluid, attacking unit of last spring.

You can't help but feel the Anfield boss is back to square one after the departure of Suarez. Injuries to Sturridge have not helped and Liverpool's problems are best summed up by their reliance on teenager Sterling.

Rodgers needs something positive from Balotelli soon or it could be a long winter at Anfield.

Tottenham:

How Mauricio Pochettino must long for a striker like Pelle at White Hart Lane.

Spurs continue to toil when confronted with organised defences and too often simply lack the ideas to overcome mediocre opposition.

Their strikers have contributed three goals in 10 games - a sorry statistic.

Harry Kane got the latest of those at Villa Park and the time may be right for Pochettino to give the youngster a run in the team.

Everton:

Tough fixtures meant the Toffees got off to a ropey start. Martinez has not panicked and the signs are now evident that Everton are on the up.

Any team in the division would love to have full-backs Baines and Coleman at their disposal.

Despite their slow start, outshining Liverpool is a distinct possibility this season.

Man Utd:

The worst 10-game points return since 1986 after Louis van Gaal signed off on 150m worth of new signings.

These are testing times for the Dutchman. Injuries and suspensions mean United are down to the bare bones at the back.

In spite of the huge summer outlay, Van Gaal has been forced to turn to the much derided Fellaini for help.

Circumstances continue to conspire against United with Falcao sidelined. Achieving a top-four finish looks a big ask.

West Brom:

Plenty of pundits were willing to condemn Irvine earlier in the season but the Scot has got his rewards for persistence at the Hawthorns.

Berahino is largely responsible for the Baggies tasting defeat only once in their last six.

If he can continue his scoring run, West Brom will soon rise into the top half.

Newcastle:

If Irvine was condemned then Pardew was all but ready for managerial execution. How quickly things can change. Three Premier League wins on the spin and Newcastle are only two points off sixth spot.

Pardew has lost summer signing De Jong but if the former Ajax player can get back to full fitness the Newcastle boss could yet be in for a remarkably happy Christmas.

Stoke:

These have been hard times for Stoke and boss Hughes. Their shock win at the Etihad in August is the only thing keeping the Potters away from the relegation zone. Their normally resolute defence looks much shakier and only two clean sheets have been achieved.

At this stage, Stoke look exactly the type of side to get dragged into a relegation battle.

Hull City:

Bruce's side have picked up credible draws at Arsenal and Liverpool while they also gave Man City a scare at the KC Stadium. Their troubles have come against sides likely to finish in and around them in the table - with only two wins from 10 games.

Hernandez has shown promise but losing partner Jelavic has been a blow. This weekend's clash with Burnley is a huge game for Bruce.

Sunderland:

The self destruction at St Mary's apart, Sunderland have done alright. They compounded that error by gifting Arsenal three points but victory over Palace on Monday is a huge step in the right direction.

That win will have restored some belief for Poyet's players and could spark their season back into life.

Aston Villa:

The victory at Anfield that lifted Villa into second spot after three wins in their opening four must seem a long time ago.

Six straight losses with only goal scored are grim stats for Lambert and his assistant Keane. With Benteke now suspended more hardship could be in store. The feeling that Villa did not strengthen adequately in the summer is coming home to roost.

Crystal Palace:

No surprise this week to find Warnock attempting to create something of a siege mentality at Selhurst Park - claiming his players are too nice and are not getting decisions from officials.

Palace have enough quality in the likes of Campbell, Ledley and Zaha to get results, but Warnock must resist over-playing the 'victim' card.

Leicester City:

After 10 games, the bottom three clubs are those that came up from the Championship. Telling stuff.

Pearson's Foxes used the element of surprise to put some early points on the board, memorably in their thrilling win against Manchester United.

Ulloa's goals have dried up and so have points - just one from the last 15 available.

With games against Sunderland, QPR and Villa looming, Leicester must pick up points from the sides around them in the table.

QPR:

Early on Rangers looked doomed with their defence leaking goals and lacking organisation.

Things have started to look up for Redknapp as his side showed admirable spirit in defeat against Liverpool and Chelsea. The victory over Aston Villa was vital to QPR and really helped striker Austin find his feet at this level.

After Manchester City this weekend the next two visitors at Loftus Road are Leicester and Burnley. Must-win games.

Burnley:

No wins from 10 games. Five goals scored, 19 conceded. Burnley have led only once this season - against Chelsea in their opener before the Blues swept them aside in ruthless fashion.

Dyche has got his players working hard but they are lacking the star quality to win games in the Premier League. As much as Chelsea seem destined to finish top, Burnley appear consigned to prop the table up.