We’re only six games into the season, but much has already become apparent. Under-performers, over-performers, challengers, also-rans, and players and teams to watch for the right and the wrong reasons. Here’s a quick look at the most obvious, interesting, and intriguing…

Manchester City

It’s already clear they will be a force to be reckoned with this season. Victory over Arsenal and only a narrow defeat to United (albeit while being outplayed) showed that they have not only added quality, which is there for all to see, but also seem to have hardened the soft core that held them back last year. The likes of Tevez, Bellamy, Barry et al will not meekly roll over away to Blackburn, as last season’s City were wont to do.

Emmanuel Adebayor

The stamp and resulting ban aside, Adebayor has shown that when he’s motivated and happy he is a fearsome proposition. He joins perhaps only Drogba (possibly Torres or Rooney) as a striker who is genuinely unplayable on his day. He will be a fantastic asset for Mark Hughes.

Portsmouth

They are in all sorts of trouble. A record bad Premier League start and only three players who were there last season – they are going to struggle massively. Losing Defoe, Crouch, Johnson and Kranjcar and replacing them with Tommy Smith, Michael Brown, and Kevin Prince-Boateng is going to hit anyone hard. It’s difficult to see where that first point will come from.

Hull, Wolves, Bolton

Early to call, admittedly – but it looks like the other relegated sides alongside Pompey will come from these three. We’ll see how accurate that is come the end of the season…

Wigan

You have to love Roberto Martinez’ assertions that Wigan will not compromise their principles and will not adjust their style of play, whoever they are up against – but playing a similar way to Arsenal or Man United with inferior players will only ever lead to defeats. Arsenal to beat Wigan at the weekend was probably the biggest certainty of the season.

Fernando Torres

After looking tired and jaded at the start of the season Torres exploded into life against West Ham. It will be interesting to see how much he has in the tank come the end – the Confederations Cup makes this his third season without a break.

Christian Benitez ‘Chucho’

Looks to have genuine quality for one of the basement clubs – and that could be enough to keep Birmingham up. If they can get 15 goals from him, which considering the spark and threat he has shown already is certainly possible, they could stay up. However, McLeish must already be anxious about the January transfer window.

Alex Ferguson

Never underestimate him. Having lost Ronaldo and Tevez there were murmurings (here included) that United could struggle this season. But he seems to have squeezed a bit extra from Giggs, Scholes, and Rooney, which has carried them to vital wins over a resurgent Spurs and dangerous Man City. It remains to be seen if they can last the season – or if they strengthen in January.

The Mid-Table

The ‘mediocre’ sides have arguably as strong in relation to the Big Four as they have been for years. Stoke and Burnley at home, Sunderland, West Ham, Blackburn – all are capable of beating a big side on their day. And with Spurs, Man City, Villa and Everton making up a strong top eight, anyone can beat anyone this season. There won’t be any record points totals, that’s for sure.

Here in all its glory…

It’s pretty bad. Fortunately for RVP he didn’t get it full in the face – could’ve taken an eye out. Let’s hope the FA throw the book at him – I’d love a ten match ban.

More on this:

Manchester City’s sensational 4-2 victory over Arsenal, maintaining their 100% winning start to the season, was soured tonight when Arsenal’s Robin van Persie accused his former team-mate, Emmanuel Adebayor, of committing a “mindless and malicious stamp” on him.

Adebayor, who scored City’s third goal, looked lucky to stay on the field in the 70th minute when his apparent assault went unseen by referee Mark Clattenburg. Replays suggested that Adebayor knew what he was doing when his right foot made contact with a prone Van Persie, though he denied it after the game. If Clattenburg confirms he did not see the incident, the FA could ban Adebayor on video evidence.

There was clearly contact close to the Dutchman’s eye and he needed treatment for a facial wound. Van Persie said: “I knew he was aiming for a collision because he changed the angle of his body to allow contact to be made.

“He moved backwards when his natural momentum would have taken him forward. I find that deeply disrespectful. He has shown a real lack of class today, to me and the fans.”

Arsenal supporters were further infuriated when, 10 minutes after the stamping incident, Adebayor taunted them after scoring to put City 3-1 ahead. He ran 100 yards to celebrate in front of the visitors, and later apologised for his behaviour. “To be honest I’m very sorry for all this,” he said, admitting “sometimes the emotion takes over”. There were minor scuffles involving fans and stewards.

Adebayor said his collision with Van Persie was unintentional but the Arsenal man was unconvinced. “I do feel lucky that I have not suffered a greater injury,” he said. “The contact was only centimetres from my eye. I have not received an apology from him, there were no words exchanged afterwards. He had his own agenda today and that is bad for football. It’s bad for the game we all love. I want to make it clear that this has nothing to do with the result of today’s match. We do not hide from that disappointment but I need to speak out about his behaviour.”

EDIT – I’ve also now found a gif of his celebration and abuse form the Arsenal fans:

The fact he ran 80 yards to do this makes it all the worse – but look at the animalistic rage of the Arsenal fans! Just horrible.

These two events coupled together make that 10 game ban seem all the more realistic…