Manchester City

Sven-Göran Eriksson has warned his new-look team that they may have lost the element of surprise. “I think at first a lot of people didn’t know some of our players,” the manager said, “but we will not have that advantage any more.”

Played 3 Won 3 Drawn 0 Lost 0 For 4 Against 0 Points 9
Next match Tomorrow Arsenal (a)

Chelsea

The club have confirmed that they will back the Chelsea Old Boys team, made up of players such as Kerry Dixon, for the first time. “We have launched a number of initiatives to bring past players closer to the club,” Bruce Buck, the chairman said.

Played 3 Won 2 Drawn 1 Lost 0 For 6 Against 4 Points 7
Next match Tomorrow Portsmouth (h)

Wigan Athletic

Mario Melchiot, the captain, is doubtful for tomorrow’s game away to West Ham United after pulling out of Holland’s friendly with Switzerland on Wednesday because of illness. Emmerson Boyce has recovered from a hip injury.

Played 3 Won 2 Drawn 0 Lost 1 For 5 Against 2 Points 6
Next match Tomorrow West Ham United (a)

Everton

Yakubu Ayegbeni has completed his £11.25 million move from Middlesbrough, subject to receiving a work permit. The striker’s contract will keep him at the club until 2012. He should make his debut at home to Blackburn Rovers tomorrow.

Played 3 Won 2 Drawn 0 Lost 1 For 5 Against 3 Points 6
Next match Tomorrow Blackburn Rovers (h)

Portsmouth

The 1-1 draw with Manchester United has given John Utaka confidence that the team can prosper against the other clubs in the “big four”. The Nigeria forward said: “The game against United was good. In football, everything is possible.”

Played 3 Won 1 Drawn 2 Lost 0 For 6 Against 4 Points 5
Next match Tomorrow Chelsea (a)

Newcastle United

Gérémi was spared international duty with Cameroon this week because he is applying for a British passport. “I’m applying for citizenship,” the captain, who started his Premier League career with Middlesbrough five years ago, said.

Played 2 Won 1 Drawn 1 Lost 0 For 3 Against 1 Points 4
Next match Sunday Middlesbrough (a)

Arsenal

Arsène Wenger is amazed that Martin Jol’s job as manager of Tottenham Hotspur is under threat with the season only two weeks old. “It is not my problem, but two games is not a lot,” the manager said.

Played 2 Won 1 Drawn 1 Lost 0 For 3 Against 2 Points 4
Next match Tomorrow Manchester City (h)

Blackburn Rovers

Morten Gamst Pedersen should overcome an injury suffered with Norway in midweek to face Everton tomorrow. Mark Hughes, the manager, said: “[He] has come back with a bang on the leg, but should be fit for the weekend.”

Played 2 Won 1 Drawn 1 Lost 0 For 3 Against 2 Points 4
Next match Tomorrow Everton (a)

Liverpool

Steven Gerrard, the captain, is almost certain to miss the match away to Sunderland tomorrow because of a broken toe and is also a doubt for the Champions League third qualifying round, second-leg tie at home to Toulouse on Tuesday.

Played 2 Won 1 Drawn 1 Lost 0 For 3 Against 2 Points 4
Next match Tomorrow Sunderland (a)

Reading

Steve Coppell believes that Nicky Shorey, the left back, will improve for his two England caps. “If you could pick two games to start your international career, you would pick Brazil and Germany,” the manager said.

Played 3 Won 1 Drawn 1 Lost 1 For 2 Against 2 Points 4
Next match Tomorrow Bolton Wanderers (a)

Sunderland

Ian Harte, the former Leeds United defender, and Sammy Kuffour, of AS Roma, are training at the club. “We are having a look at them, but there’s no chance of them signing before this weekend,” Roy Keane, the manager, said.

Played 3 Won 1 Drawn 1 Lost 1 For 3 Against 5 Points 4
Next match Tomorrow Liverpool (h)

Tottenham Hotspur

Emil Dantchev, the agent of Dimitar Berbatov, was in London yesterday for talks with the club. He wants to establish whether there has been an offer for the Bulgaria forward. Manchester United are interested in the player.

Played 3 Won 1 Drawn 0 Lost 2 For 5 Against 4 Points 3
Next match Sunday Manchester United (a)

Fulham

Kasey Keller, the former Tottenham Hotspur and United States goalkeeper, has joined the club as cover for Antti Niemi and Tony Warner. “Kasey is a proven professional with impeccable international credentials,” Lawrie Sanchez, the manager, said.

Played 3 Won 1 Drawn 0 Lost 2 For 4 Against 5 Points 3
Next match Tomorrow Aston Villa (a)

Middlesbrough

Despite not figuring in Gareth Southgate’s plans, Gaizka Mendieta is eager to play at the club. “Nobody has spoken with me about a possible exit,” the Spain international said. “I am working with the dream of doing well for Boro.”

Played 3 Won 1 Drawn 0 Lost 2 For 3 Against 4 Points 3
Next match Sunday Newcastle United (h)

West Ham United

Alan Curbishley appears to have ruled out signing a left back this month. He has been linked with Nicky Shorey, of Reading. “I’m very happy with George McCartney and we also have Jonathan Spector, so that position is covered,” he said.

Played 2 Won 1 Drawn 0 Lost 1 For 1 Against 2 Points 3
Next match Tomorrow Wigan Athletic (h)

Manchester United

Darren Fletcher, the Scotland midfield player, is reported to be considering his future after appearing for only 13 minutes of the club’s three matches. But Sir Alex Ferguson, the manager, sees him as an important squad member.

Played 3 Won 0 Drawn 2 Lost 1 For 1 Against 2 Points 2
Next match Sunday Tottenham Hotspur (h)

Aston Villa

Martin O’Neill admitted that he did not want to sell Steven Davis, who joined Fulham in the summer. “I would have preferred Steven to stay, but I couldn’t guarantee that he would play in the position he wanted every week,” the manager said.

Played 2 Won 0 Drawn 1 Lost 1 For 1 Against 2 Points 1
Next match Tomorrow Fulham (h)

Birmingham City

Despite the arrival of ten players, Sebastian Larsson, the midfield player, claims that last season’s excellent team spirit has not been undermined. “All the new players seem to be the right characters,” he said. “Everyone has blended in.”

Played 3 Won 0 Drawn 1 Lost 2 For 4 Against 6 Points 1
Next match Tomorrow Derby County (a)

Derby County

Eddie Lewis, the winger, who signed from Leeds United this week, believes that he can give Billy Davies’s side balance. “I’m looking forward to offering the forwards ammunition, while helping to keep the team shape defensively,” he said.

Played 3 Won 0 Drawn 1 Lost 2 For 2 Against 7 Points 1
Next match Tomorrow Birmingham City (h)

Bolton Wanderers

Joey O’Brien, the defender, emerged unscathed from his first game in 15 months by playing 45 minutes for the reserves on Wednesday night. The Ireland full back had been sidelined with a career-threatening knee injury.

Played 3 Won 0 Drawn 0 Lost 3 For 3 Against 8 Points 0
Next match Tomorrow Reading (h)