Soccer: English Premier League in 2016-17 Season So Far

I am following English Premier League soccer now for the third year, having witnessed Chelsea, managed by Jose Mourinho, run away with the championship two years ago and upstart Leicester City, on the brink of relegation (demotion to the next lower league) the year before, surprising everyone last year by coming away with the title.  As the different teams retooled themselves for the new 2016-17 season, there was a lot of speculation as to which one would be favored to win it this year, which has now played through six of the scheduled thirty-eight matches for each of the league's twenty teams.  Could Chelsea recover their old greatness or Leicester City repeat their miracle season?  Or would one of the more traditional powers like Manchester City, Manchester United, or Arsenal take their place on the top of the standings?  Well, so far it's been the latter as Manchester City is solidly in first place, having won all six of their games.  Tottenham, which challenged Leicester City during the second half of last season before slumping at the end, is also undefeated but with two draws, giving them second place.  Then it's Arsenal, Liverpool, Everton, and Manchester United in that order.  United, by the way, hired Mourinho and has spent a lot of money in the off-season to sign top European players, making them a team with high expectations.  As for Chelsea and Leicester City, the former is doing moderately well, at number eight in the standings (or "table" as they call it across the ocean), but the latter is mired with a losing record in the twelve-spot, a shadow of last year's glory.  Stuck in the three-team relegation zone at the bottom of the standings are West Ham, Stoke City, and Sunderland: I get Sunderland being there, but the other two...especially West Ham, which was strong last year...just don't seem to belong there...

I guess the surprises for me, besides Leicester City and West Ham being so disappointing at this stage of the 2016-17 season, is how well both Liverpool and Everton...also based in the city of Liverpool...are doing.  Everton had a reputation for fielding a quality team that has been absent for the last couple of years and Liverpool, while almost winning the championship three years ago, has also been a disappointment to its demanding fans.  I think it would be great to see these two teams continue to excel this year...

By the way, if you're interesting in watching English Premier League soccer action on TV, NBCSports broadcasts live matches on Saturday and Sunday mornings.  In Gainesville this is on Cox Cable channel 33...