
SO, HOW has it been for you? I have to say, the start to the 2021-22 Premier League season has been one of the best openings to a new campaign that I can remember.
The return of football supporters, top-quality football, plenty of sides challenging for the top spot and a number of gripping subplots and narratives have resulted in the top flight being as exciting as it has been in years.
One look at the table explains plenty. Chelsea, current Champions League and Super Cup holders, head the division after assured displays. They have been ruthless in swatting aside pretenders, including an imperious performance in routing Spurs 3-0 in N17 last weekend.
Their showing at Anfield last month with 10 men, during a hard-fought 1-1 draw, also laid down a future marker in the clash of the titans. Against the might of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool – Mo Salah, Sadio Mane, the majestic Virgil van Dijk and all – Chelsea’s display was a template in how to deal with the loss of a player, offensively, defensively and in transition.
I genuinely wonder how Frank Lampard feels, because the improvement on this Blues side has been immense since he was ruthlessly replaced last term.

In the shadow of Heathrow and glow of Thorpe Park, a band of Arsenal loyalists have built something lasting — a grassroots club with old-school values, writes LAYTH YOUSIF

A point apiece at the Emirates with both Arsenal and Palace looking distracted by forthcoming semi-finals