We all feel the same way (I take it) Man City are gonna run away with it this year.
And on Saturday’s performance, I guess that view shouldn’t change, even though Bournemouth more than matched their illustrious opponents at the Etihad.
The 3-1 scoreline was unfair, not an accurate reflection City didn’t look great for the best part of the game, but as they say: “the sign of champions is when a below-average performance produces the points”.
It was encouraging for me personally, however, as Pep Guardiola visits Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening for a potential cracker against the Blues. Are we seeing a dip in form?
I doubt it, even in the largely consistent top and bottom sections of the league you get results and performances that completely flip the pundit’s script.
I mean look at this weekend, on a roll and in front of 50 000 passionate Geordies, West Ham go and bang three past em’ with no reply?
ALL FIRED UP: Arsenal is flying after Spurs victory. Photo: NIGEL RODDIS/EPA
‘Derby Day Sunday’ was no different. Ok, Chelsea were expected to beat Fulham but had just come off a Premier League smashing against Spurs the week before.
The Arsenal result was the biggest surprise...
After thrashing Chelsea, Spurs were massive favourites to get a result at the Emirates and got squarely beaten as the Gunners turned on a platinum performance in the second half to send their North London rivals drudging back up the Seven Sisters Road not knowing what hit them.
And to cap it off, stuttering Everton were (for me) probably the better side at Anfield, only to get snared at the last with a mad goal.
I think it was great the way Jurgen Klopp did a sub-10 second 100-metre dash onto the pitch to congratulate his players.
Not sure when and why it became bad manners to let emotions fly in football, but he made an apology in the post-match conference about his ‘behaviour’.
RELIEF: Klopp, right, with Alisson after derby goal
Anyway, following the stop-start of the international schedule, it’s back to business on Tuesday and Wednesday night, with the pick of the crop at Old Trafford on Wednesday when Manchester United host Arsenal in a 10 pm kickoff.
Will Unai Emery's Gunners, unbeaten in 19 games, follow up their massive win against Spurs with a “we’re back” three points?
Or will Jose Mourinho fire his failing side up, play on the front foot and take the game to the Gunners at home, where they have won three of their six matches?
Hard to tell really probably a draw for me.
Let me know what you think. (twitter: @thehonestnick).