PREMIER LEAGUE CLUB REPORT CARD: Who are the only team to score an F? Which side are roaring with an A+? Who has been the most 'inconsistent'?

With the second international break upon us, it's a good time to reflect on how each Premier League club has started the season.

Here, we summarise the main issues surrounding each side and give them an all-important grade. Who has impressed us the most? And who is on the naughty step?

Position: 1st Points: 16

Mikel Arteta’s table-toppers have started this campaign on the right foot, and already navigated difficulties. There was the ‘handbrake’ approach against Manchester City which so nearly cost Arsenal, before Gabriel Martinelli saved the day, and a last-gasp Gabriel winner against Newcastle in a game the Gunners should have put away earlier on.

Yet they have gone into this international break arguably the happiest team in the league, and marked by many as strong title contenders.

Their squad depth is highly impressive and the Newcastle victory reflected much in terms of the team’s mentality. Though they will want to be more adept at killing games off earlier — Arsenal have the talent to. Isaan Khan.

Grade: A

Arsenal go into the international break as the happiest side as they are top of the table

Position 13th Points: 9

Had we done these grades during the first international break, Villa would have deserved a dismal F for their chaotic transfer window and rotten early-season displays.

But the removal of transfer chief Monchi seems to have eased some of the tension around the club – as have the four consecutive wins.

Though Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers remain below par, Unai Emery looks to be finding his mojo again and he seems to have unearthed a gem in young midfielder Lamare Bogarde.

It remains to be seen, however, whether deadline-day loan signings Harvey Elliott and Jadon Sancho will have a significant role to play this term. Tom Collomosse.

Grade: C-

Unai Emery is finding his mojo again and Aston Villa have gone under the radar with four consecutive wins in all competitions

Position: 4th Points: 14

The vibes on the south coast are immaculate right now.

Few anticipated Bournemouth to be mixing it with the big boys again when they were ransacked in the summer. Milos Kerkez, Illia Zabarnyi, and Dean Huijsen are all gone. It was a sodden summer in terms of transfer business, or so we thought.

The fact is, the Cherries are better than ever. Andoni Iraola has his team purring; they have recorded their best-ever start to a Premier League season, winning four of their seven games, and they sit in a superb fourth place in the top flight.

Only Liverpool have managed to beat Bournemouth, and we all know that the Cherries were unlucky that day. With Antoine Semenyo in the form of his life, and the rest of the team flourishing in Iraola’s vision, things couldn’t be going much better. Harry Bamforth.

Grade: A+

Bournmeouth are better than ever despite selling key stars; Antoine Semenyo is shining

Position: 16th Points: 7

Ahead of the new season, many expected Brentford to be in for their toughest Premier League campaign to date.

It was a summer of change in west London. Thomas Frank left his post as manager after seven years, captain Christian Norgaard moved across the capital to title challengers Arsenal, and their two top goalscorers last season, Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa, were both sold. The levels of uncertainty buzzing around the Bees were high.

The early signs aren’t as worrying as anticipated. While Brentford are only just above the relegation zone, wins against Aston Villa and Manchester United have showcased that Keith Andrews is more than capable of filling the big boots left by Frank.

They remain all-action, as they were under the Dane, although Andrews is slightly more pragmatic, as shown in the first half of their slender defeat to Manchester City .

They aren’t quite hitting the heights of last season’s high-flyers, but any concerns that they are destined for the drop have eased in the first seven games. Harry Bamforth .

Grade: C

Keith Andrews has eased the concerns around his Brentford side with a decent start

Position: 12th Points: 9

The first word that comes to my mind when I think of Brighton: inconsistent.

When you think the Seagulls are going to win, they drop points. When they play the big boys and a loss seems likely, guess what? Yep, they win.

Fabian Hurzeler has an incredibly talented and dynamic young team at his disposal, who are capable of beating anybody on their day – their two wins have come against Manchester City and Chelsea – but you never know whether they will turn up, or not.

Seagulls fans can’t be too unhappy, seeing as their side is mid-table and has beaten two of the best teams in the division, if not Europe. However, there will be frustration at results such as the draw away at basement boys Wolves.

If Hurzeler can get his side winning the smaller fixtures, they are in for a great season. Harry Bamforth .

Grade: C

Brighton have been inconsistent and have been the Robin Hood of the league, stealing points from the rich and giving to the poor

Position: 18th Points: 4

Burnley’s start to the season has been brutal. Period.

Tottenham, Manchester United, Liverpool, Manchester City, and Aston Villa, all in the first seven games. A baptism of fire, some may call it.

How many points have they picked up from said fixtures? Zero. The Clarets’ return to the Premier League has been tough to say the least, and the premonition is that it will be a long Ol’ campaign for them.

Will Burnley face teams of that level every week? No. But have they shown enough to convince us that they are capable of beating those they will be battling at the bottom? Also no. The defence that drove them to promotion is leaking goals, and at the other end, they are relying solely on Jaidon Anthony to deliver. He has been, but he can't do it alone.

The trend of promoted clubs clogging up the relegation spots appears to be ending this campaign, with both Sunderland – the only team Scott Parker’s side have beaten – and Leeds starting well. However, all roads seem to point to Burnley facing a real scrap to survive. Harry Bamforth .

Grade: E

Burnley are facing a survival scrap but, in fairness, have been dealt a rough hand so far

Position: 7th Points: 11

Chelsea’s only losses have come in two Premier League games in which they were reduced to 10 men, and away at Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

I’d say they’ve done well after their lack of summer because of the Club World Cup, and kudos to Enzo Maresca for responding to the criticism of his substitutions with much more positive changes in their last late win over Liverpool.

Chelsea are in the midst of a centre-back shortage due to injuries but they will have bodies back after the international break and having a protector as world class as Moises Caicedo certainly helps.

It’s been a smart start and, call me optimistic, I have a hunch they’ll get better as time continues. Kieran Gill.

Grade: B

Chelsea have made a decent start after a long summer but must improve their discipline

Position: 6th Points: 12

These are heady times for Crystal Palace fans.

A club record run, dominant European wins and a team and manager adored by the Selhurst Park faithful. Consider Eberechi Eze ’s departure and the Marc Guehi saga over the summer, and things couldn’t have gone much better.

Oliver Glasner has built a side with a watertight defence and a dynamic attack, while the recent victory over Liverpool was one of the club’s best in the Premier League era.

Sunday’s last-gasp defeat by Everton to end their unbeaten start is a sharp reminder of the potential challenges ahead though, with the Eagles tiring badly in the second half.

Given Glasner’s preference for a smaller squad and the demands of a European campaign, depth may become an issue. But for now, Palace supporters can enjoy some of the best times of their lives and look forward with optimism. Will Pickworth.

Grade: A

Crystal Palace are enjoying some of their best moments ever after years of mediocrity

Position: 8th points: 11

It has been a solid start, a couple of hiccups here and there but David Moyes has been at pains to make it clear that this is going to be a season of methodical progress.

The highlights, without question, in terms of results were the victories away at Wolves and the last-minute clincher against Crystal Palace – Hill Dickinson Stadium was waiting for a “moment” and Jack Grealish certainly delivered it.

Grealish, of course, has been the man most talked about and he is going to be influential, particularly if he can heed Moyes’s advice and starting more. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has been a ray of sunshine, too.

Goals haven’t always been easy to come by and it’s not difficult to think how things might have been had Liam Delap chosen to join Everton. Thierno Barry, whom Everton signed instead, is still raw and developing. Comments, at times, which could apply to the team. Dominic King.

Grade: B-

Everton have restored their old strength under David Moyes and Jack Grealish has stood out

Position: 14th Points: 8

If you asked me to rate Fulham’s start to the season after five games, I’d have given them a B. Now, though, their grade is taking a big hit. Marco Silva’s side have had a real dip in form in recent weeks.

Having lost just one of their opening five games – to Chelsea, too – while winning and drawing two matches each, it seemed like Marco Silva’s side was clicking in a similar fashion to last season. But back-to-back defeats and underwhelming displays leave them languishing in 14th.

The Cottagers' real problem is how they are misfiring at the top of the pitch. Both Rodrigo Muniz and Raul Jimenez have been sidelined, and the experiment of a talented Josh King in the false nine at Bournemouth failed, and failed miserably. King is a great young player, but he is not a striker.

The defeat to the Cherries means there is a real negative feel around Craven Cottage during the international break. Harry Bamforth .

Grade: D

Fulham have suffered a dip in form in recent weeks, leaving a negative feel at Craven Cottage

Position: 15th Points: 8

With eight points from seven games, Leeds will be content with their start to the season. But Daniel Farke’s side have lost three points from conceding injury-time goals against Fulham and Bournemouth.

At Elland Road in particular, Leeds have looked solid with the midfield trio of skipper Ethan Ampadu, Sean Longstaff and Anton Stach showing that they can battle with whatever the Premier League has to offer.

The concern right now though is the lack of goals and Leeds will be desperately hoping that Dominic Calvert-Lewin can start taking his chances. If they can find that killer edge in the final third, then they should have enough to stay up. Aadam Patel.

Grade: B

Many tipped Leeds for relegation but they have been competitive after coming up

Position: 2nd Points: 15

Based on the last week this grade would be an E but, over the course of the season, Liverpool's results have been very good.

Despite three defeats in a row they are just one point off the top of the Premier League, something that fans must remember this week when they feel downbeat. But performances overall have left quite a lot to be desired and Arne Slot certainly has a mounting list of problems to solve in the next month or so.

The new signings are yet to gel, the defence looks shaky, Mohamed Salah has not hit his previous sky-high standards… and that is to name just three.

Slot has answered most questions thrown at him so far in England so there is faith he can do so again this year. Lewis Steele.

Grade: B

Arne Sloth has a few issues to resolve at Liverpool afetr a bruising last three games

Position: 5th Points: 14

A transitional stage at the moment, with Pep Guardiola altering the way Manchester City attack teams in an adaption to how the Premier League has gone in recent seasons.

The introduction of Pep Lijnders as No 2 helps that and there are signs that City are scoring different goals while looking more of a cohesive pressing unit than last year.

But there are still some concerns about their work out of possession and the back four do look vulnerable. City will hope that consecutive defeats against Spurs and Brighton focused minds rather than acted as a sign of further deficiencies and the way they defended together in a draw at Arsenal and the win at Brentford should inspire some confidence. Jack Gaughan.

Grade: B

Manchester City are a team in transition, but at least Erling Haaland is still banging in the goals

Position: 10th: Points 10

The win over Sunderland lifted Ruben Amorim’s side into 10th place in the table and calmed the growing crisis at Old Trafford, but there is no getting away from the fact it has been a torrid start to the season.

After a positive summer and transfer window, United have lost three of their first seven Premier League games and crashed out of the Carabao Cup to Grimsby.

Liverpool are next up at Anfield and the pressure could build around Amorim very quickly again if he cannot achieve a degree of consistency in performances and results. United still haven’t won back-to-back league games under him.

Bryan Mbeumo has been the pick of the five signings brought in this summer at a total cost of £236million, establishing himself as United’s most potent attacking threat on the right flank.

Benjamin Sesko is finding his feet with two goals in the last two games after a quiet start, and he was an effective target man when United opted for more long balls against Sunderland. Having waited until the weekend to give Senne Lammens his debut, Amorim will hope he has found a solid goalkeeper but knows that Anfield will be a truer test.

The United boss still needs more from the squad he inherited last November, with Mason Mount and Amad Diallo the only players who have significantly improved.

Amorim’s devotion to his 3-4-2-1 system has come under intense scrutiny and understandably so. The players don’t look comfortable in it, and some are known to be losing faith. Blaming the pundits and media for putting doubt in their minds smacked of desperation.

Marginalising Kobbie Mainoo is a bold move by Amorim after offloading Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund in the summer. If it works, he will deserve praise. If it doesn’t, United will have paid a high price for failure. Chris Wheeler.

Grade: E

Ruben Amorim has been on the brink at Manchester United and it has been a rocky start

Position: 11th Points: 9

Everything's coming up Milhouse, at last, for Newcastle.

Traumatic was the buzzword on Tyneside after what was a chaotic summer. The Alexander Isak transfer saga derailed their start to the campaign, with Eddie Howe not being able to buy a goal, let alone a win.

Without a striker in August, they picked up just two points from three games and failed to score in two of those fixtures. The one they did score in ended in heartbreak, as Liverpool stole victory in the 100th minute at St. James’ Park. They looked set for their worst league start under Howe.

But since the arrival of Nick Woltemade, and as frenzy turned to calm, things started to improve. The big German has been banging the goals in, and a comfortable victory over Nottingham Forest brought the feel-good factor back to the Toon, after yet more agony the week prior against Arsenal.

Howe and his side finally have some momentum and can start to work their way back up the table. Harry Bamforth .

Grade: C-

Newcastle are finding momentum after a traumatic summer in which they lost Alexander Isak

Position: 17th Points 5

If Evangelos Marinakis could have his time again, I wonder if he would have tried so hard to appoint former Arsenal sporting director Edu as his ‘global head of football’.

Had he not done so, there is a fair chance Nuno Espirito Santo would still be Forest manager and they would be sitting comfortably in mid-table, never having needed to appoint Ange Postecoglou.

Nuno’s relationship with Edu is thought to have been problematic and his sacking in September was due far more to off-field matters than on-pitch ones. Now Forest are considering removing Postecoglou after only a month at the helm and they are one point above the relegation zone. Tom Collomosse.

Grade: E-

Nottingham Forest could be on their third manager of the season soon unless Ange Pstecoglou turns things around

Position: 9th Points 11

Sunderland's big summer investment has paid off and they are freshening up the dire narrative that has formed about newly promoted clubs in recent years. Seven out of the last 10 play-off winners have gone down; Sunderland are dreaming of Europe.

A 3-0 thrashing of West Ham on the opening day told everybody that the Black Cats mean business. Granit Xhaka has been a revelation and looks every inch the title-winner he was at Bayer Leverkusen. Wilson Isidor is hitting a steady trickle of goals. Goalkeeper Robin Roefs looks a bargain for £11.5m.

They were wise to tie down head coach Regis Le Bris on a new deal until 2028 in the summer. Keep up their form and bigger clubs will come calling. But there are plenty of cautionary tales of new clubs starting fast only to be figured out. There is a long way to go. Luke Power.

Grade: A-

Sunderland are rewriting the narrative around newly promoted clubs and sit in the top half

Position: 2nd Points: 15

One defeat, sitting third in the Premier League and unbeaten in Europe, it has been a solid start to life under Thomas Frank.

They look tougher and altogether more physical. Stronger at the back and far less inclined to abandon defensive duties. Impressive mentality and resilience in three fightbacks to avoid defeats against Brighton, Wolves and Bodo/Glimt.

There is a serious goal threat from set plays but hints of a lack of craft and imagination in open play. Creative balance has at times been askew, a natural by-product of tightening up at the back and Frank is still feeling around for combinations but Mohammed Kudus finding his rhythm and scoring his first goal at Leeds is encouraging.

Premier League home form (one win in three) and the nagging inability to beat teams they are expected to beat, those who set out to frustrate and break, remains a concern. Overall, though, after 22 league defeats last season, it represents a welcome return to form. Matt Barlow.

Grade: B

Tottenham have made a welcome return to form under Thomas Frank after a tough season

A fourth permanent manager in 16 months, protests and boycotts against the club’s owners and a team 19th in the table. To write ‘could do better’ on West Ham’s report card would be a bit like the safety officer of the Titanic coming back from his routine checks and casually informing the captain that the starboard side had, unfortunately, ‘sprung a leak’.

Speaking of which, new man Nuno Espirito Santo is faced with shoring up the worst defence in the Premier League, one that’s conceded 16 goals in seven games and eight of them from corners. Even Jarrod Bowen’s frequent one-man crusade can’t overcome those numbers.

They also don’t have the luxury this season of the promoted teams being so useless that the Hammers can’t go down regardless of how bad they are. They can and, unless something drastic changes, they will.

This is, perhaps, what happens when you keep hiring new managers to fix problems not of their making with players not of their choosing.

A failure, from the bottom to the very, very top. James Sharpe.

Grade: F

West Ham have been a failure from the very bottom to the very top and look like relegation candidates

Where to start? They have not won in the league yet, supporters have long been fed up of chairman Jeff Shi and owners Fosun, and coach Vitor Pereira was recently handed a new three-year deal despite losing his first four matches.

Wolves have backed Vitor Pereira with a new deal but the pressure is on to turn things around

At least Wolves have drawn the last two and shown signs of improvement but there will need to be some wins soon or Wolves will once more face starting afresh near Christmas.

All is not lost: Pereira is a strong character and there are signs the team is settling down after a dreadful start. But the next block of games is seriously important. Tom Collomosse.

Grade: E-