EPL 2018/19: 5 things that have caught us by surprise

We are 12 games into the 2018/19 season of the Premier League, but have our cup runneth over with a multitude of talking points already. And why not, the league, after all, witnessed an expenditure in the excess of $1.2 billion in the summer transfer window that bought a whole host of new talents to the English shores.

Yet, the reading at the top of the table is hardly surprising as defending champions Manchester City continue to rule the roost. Jose Mourinho's third season syndrome that threatened to set in early on, seems to have subsided now while Unai Emery is running a taut ship at Arsenal after been given a baptism of fire by the Cityzens and Chelsea.

Sergio Aguero has reignited his quest for the Premier League Golden Boot with an amazing run of form, though some unusual names and new arrivals are making a swift impression.

Quickly, let's delve through the five surprises we've seen so far in the EPL:

#1 Not one, not two, but three teams still unbeaten

Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool locked in a 3-horse race

Premier League is often touted to be the most challenging league in Europe. But the fact that three different sides are unbeaten even after 12 rounds of games might suggest a widening of the gulf between the mightier sides and the also-rans.

No matter which way you slice it, City, Chelsea and Liverpool are off to a flyer this season.

The Blues have taken no time to acclimatize to the much-vaunted 'Sarriball', whereas the Merseysiders, who were credited for some smart businesses in the transfer market, are now reaping the rewards with their best ever start to a domestic campaign.

The Skyblues, who clinched the league at a canter last time, have expectedly started in the same vein and continue to make merry at the pole position with 10 victories from 12 games.

This is also a first for England's top flight where three sides are without a defeat for so long, surpassing the previous record of nine games set in 1979 and 1991. And history has it, the eventual champion on both occasions were one of those teams.

#2 Jose Mourinho is still the manager of Manchester United

This is his third season with the Red Devils. That means this was supposed to be the year where it all falls apart. Mourinho was supposed to ignite another spell of unrest in the team. Heck, Mourinho was supposed to be sacked by now! But strangely, none of these have happened. Only so far.

Manchester United might be struggling in the league, languishing eight in the standings with only six wins and four defeats from 12 outings. But their recent run has shrugged off the early-season woes and kept his third season syndrome from setting in. In fact, the famous 2-1 win over Juventus in Turin showed signs of life in this team and he's not lost the plot yet.

But as the derby defeat to City last Sunday showed, you never know what to expect from this side. And Mourinho. The loss may not be enough to get him the boot, as such the team have been erratic all year.

But if you say that you expected Mourinho to be at the helm of the club even after mid-November, you're lying.

#3 Richarlison's renaissance at Everton

Richarlison is making a big impact at Everton

For the Toffees to spend £35 million in the acquisition of a player who failed to make any impression at Watford the season before was widely considered a huge gamble. But just 12 games in, Richarlison has already struck more times than he did in the whole of 2017/18 season.

The Brazilian youngster shushed all the naysayers with an amazing brace in the opening game against Wolverhampton and hasn't looked back since, striking another four times to become the joint third-highest scorer in the league at this stage. Marco Silva's tutelage has reignited the forward who came to Europe last year with so much promise. And after a small blip, has started to deliver on it.

He alone has accounted for 37% of Everton's points and without his hot streak, it could've been much worse for the Merseysiders who're anyways teetering at the mid-table after an underwhelming start.

#4 Fulham rock-bottom in the league

Having won the promotion to the Premier League after clinching the playoffs, the Cottagers girded up the loins for the challenges ahead with a host of signings that took everyone by surprise. Aleksandar Mitrovic, Andre Schurrle, Luciano Vietto, Sergio Rico and Alfie Mawson were all roped in during a seemingly busy but successful transfer market. However, the lavish spendings have failed to translate into results on the field.

Forget competing for Europa League spots, the West London side have plummeted to the foot of the table with just a single victory in the bag, and have also lost each of the last six games on the trot. They've conceded 31 goals already while striker Mitrovic has been the only shining light for this side, striking five times in the league, but he isn't helped enough by his teammates.

Suffice to say, Fulham have been the most disappointing side in the league, and for all the hefty business in the transfer market, may make a swift return to the Championship if fortunes don't change soon.

#5 Morata's upturn in form

Alvaro Morata is no Karim Benzema. He was going to start firing again after a horrendous spell in front of goal. But such was his dramatic fall from grace that few gave him a chance and the Spaniard, somehow, is finding his feet again.

A return of five goals in eight starts is an encouraging return for a player who's on the road to resurrection. But four of those goals have come in the last five games alone, which is a testament to his renaissance too. Also, he had scored the winner in Chelsea's home game in Europa League to MOL Vidi.

Morata is regaining his confidence and slowly climbing his back into the limelight. He must also be credited for trying relentlessly even though nothing was breaking for him while his place in the team was in a precarious position too. However, the recent upturn in form has sparked life in Morata again, and he must build on this momentum to secure his future at Chelsea.

Edited by Victor R. Lopez M.