After the first Premier League months of competition, who are the best surprises/biggest deceptions?
Screenshot Seven matchweeks into the 2026/27 Premier League season, and expectations are taking a beating. Manchester City have made a perfect start, Brighton are proving very difficult for the big guns and Manchester United are finding it hard to translate good moments into results.
Early results do not decide the final outcome. With just seven matches played, there is the possibility of fixtures, injuries and finishing streaks to distort the image.
However, there are a few shows that indicate improvement or issues to monitor. Here are the teams and players that are creating the first major talking points of the season.
Check out the free EPL predictions by experts, as well as helpful tips before every round and evaluate again when new performances change the information. Biggest Premier League surprise: Brighton's explosive start Brighton are definitely one of the standout overachievers.
Fabian Hürzeler's side are third with 16 points with five wins, one draw and one loss. They're the top scorers in the division with 23 goals and an impressive +18 goal difference with only five conceded.
Their strongest showing came on 18 October, when Brighton downed Crystal Palace 5-0 at the Amex Stadium. Inside ten minutes an own goal by Jaydee Canvot was followed by strikes from Diego Gómez and Yasin Ayari, leaving the hosts three goals up.
The rout was completed by Charalampos Kostoulas and Jack Hinshelwood. That win was more than a derby statement.
Brighton's movement open up passing lanes all over the field and their high pressing is very effective in regaining possession in time before the opposition has time to establish themselves. Their attacking rhythm is again dominated by Pascal Groß who is still providing delivery, intelligence and experience.
It is hard to consistently score at this pace throughout a season, and the big test is coming when they are put to the test in tougher games. But the combination of goals, organisation and confidence in Brighton means that European qualification is a possibility rather than an aspiration.