Five games are now in the books and the first international break has arrived.
That makes this the perfect time to take stock.
Some clubs have started far below expectations, while others have produced results that don’t quite match the level many expected from them before the season began.
And then there are a few teams who have actually started reasonably well — but still haven’t convinced everyone.
Here are the 15 biggest disappointments of the 2026/27 Premier League season so far.
1. Tottenham Hotspur
It’s almost impossible to put anyone else here.
Spurs are bottom after five games with just two points and no wins, following Saturday’s 3–2 defeat at home to Aston Villa. Roberto De Zerbi’s side have now lost three of their opening five. �
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Considering the expectations surrounding Tottenham and their summer business, this is already a deeply concerning start.
2. Manchester United
Five games. One win. Five points.
United’s 1–1 draw at Fulham summed up a frustrating opening period, and they currently sit 12th.
There have been flashes of what Michael Carrick’s side can do, but the consistency simply hasn’t been there yet.
For a club expected to challenge much higher up the table, 12th after five games is difficult to ignore.
3. Chelsea
Chelsea are only 10th, but it’s the manner of some of their results that makes their position particularly interesting.
The latest 3–0 defeat to Brentford was a major setback, leaving Xabi Alonso with plenty to consider during the international break. �
Footly
Seven points from five games isn’t disastrous.
But considering the talent and expectations around Chelsea, it’s hardly the start supporters would have imagined.
4. Aston Villa
Villa finally got their first win against Tottenham — but that actually highlights the problem.
They went through the opening four matches without a victory and collected only one point before Saturday’s 3–2 triumph. �
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Unai Emery has legitimate reasons for the difficult start, particularly after changes to the squad.
But 16th after five games still represents a significant gap between expectations and reality.
5. Nottingham Forest
Forest’s 1–0 home defeat to newly promoted Coventry is the sort of result that immediately raises eyebrows.
They have just five points and one victory from five games, while their latest defeat came at the City Ground.
Oliver Glasner will know there is plenty of time to change things.
But this is not the start Forest fans were expecting.
6. Everton
This is where I think your Everton inclusion becomes really interesting.
Everton are actually seventh and unbeaten, with nine points from their first five games. They just beat Ipswich 1–0 and have quietly put together one of the better starts in the division. �
So why include them?
Because this isn’t simply a ranking of the worst teams.
It’s a ranking of the biggest disappointments relative to expectations and performances.
Everton have the points — but there have been matches where David Moyes’ side haven’t looked as convincing as their league position suggests.
That makes them a particularly debatable inclusion.
7. Newcastle United
Newcastle are ninth with eight points and have only lost once.
On paper, that’s not a bad start.
But with the squad, investment and expectations at St James’ Park, ninth isn’t exactly setting the league alight.
The 2–1 win over Hull was important, but Newcastle have yet to produce the sustained level many expected from them.
8. Sunderland
Sunderland are another team who require context.
They have four points and sit 14th, but their latest 5–3 defeat to Manchester City was anything but a straightforward poor performance.
Brian Brobbey scored a hat-trick and Sunderland caused City plenty of problems before eventually going down.
So their inclusion is less about being bad and more about the gap between some of their performances and their current points tally.
9. Bournemouth
Bournemouth have three points and remain without a win after five games.
The fixture list hasn’t done them many favours, but the reality is that Andoni Iraola’s side are still waiting for their first victory.
Their latest setback came against Liverpool.
The international break therefore arrives at a useful time for Bournemouth. �
Footly
10. Crystal Palace
Palace sit 15th with four points.
Their 0–0 draw with Leeds at least brought a clean sheet, but the Eagles have struggled for consistency during the opening five matches. �
There is still plenty of time to turn things around, but this hasn’t been the smooth start they would have wanted.
11. Leeds United
This one is more about momentum than position.
Leeds are actually fifth and unbeaten with nine points, so nobody can seriously call their season a failure after five games. �
Footly
But the 0–0 draw with Crystal Palace was a missed opportunity, particularly with Leeds now facing Arsenal immediately after the international break.
Their position is excellent.
Their latest performance wasn’t.
12. Arsenal
This one is purely about GW5.
Arsenal had won their opening four games before Brighton completely dismantled them in a 3–0 defeat. It was their heaviest league defeat in three years.
That doesn’t suddenly make their season disappointing — they’re still second on 12 points.
But after such a dominant opening, that performance was undoubtedly one of the biggest shocks of the weekend.
13. Fulham
Fulham remain winless after five games and have just two points.
The 1–1 draw with Manchester United showed they can compete, but Marco Silva’s side have yet to turn that competitiveness into a victory.
They’re 19th and now have a long international break to figure things out.
14. Coventry City
Coventry finally got their first Premier League points with that 1–0 victory over Nottingham Forest.
Frank Lampard will obviously take the result, but Coventry still have just three points from five and remain deep in the relegation battle. �
Footly
The Forest victory could, however, prove to be the moment their season finally starts moving.
15. Ipswich Town
Ipswich have six points from five but have already suffered three defeats.
Their latest was a 1–0 loss to Everton, with Abdul Fatawu sent off during the game.
The two wins show they are capable of competing, but the inconsistency has been obvious.
For a newly promoted team, though, there’s plenty of time to recover.
