Johnny Phillips: Two weeks in and Premier League follows a familiar theme
The opening two weekends of the Premier League season have offered some indications that there will be plenty of fresh storylines this season but much remains the same, too.
Manchester City need a serious title challenger.
They will again be the team to beat and with so many of the big clubs already dropping points it is hard to envisage a contender coming through on the basis of what we have seen so far.
Maybe it will be Arsenal who will push them closest again.
The Gunners need to add some resilience to their play and there has been early evidence of that with the hard-fought victory over Crystal Palace on Monday evening.
Declan Rice – whose British record transfer fee lasted barely a fortnight – was brought in to strengthen the midfield and appears to have settled straight in. Mikel Arteta will be hoping the flair shines through elsewhere as the season progresses.
There was plenty of flair on show in the second half of Tottenham’s 2-0 win at home to Manchester United.
Ange Postecoglou’s genuine character has shone through as a breath of fresh air during his media interviews but there is a real substance to the style of football his teams play.
The second half of Saturday night’s victory was impressive so early on in the season.
Much has been made of the goals that need replacing in Harry Kane’s absence but would it be wrong to suggest that with a more all-round team game, Spurs might not miss their striking talisman?
Liverpool and Chelsea appear to have plenty of options.
