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Yet there is barely time for the ink to dry on
the new contracts signed on Thursday's deadline day before the
teams are back out on the field and the reality of just how much
each club has truly strengthened becomes clear.
Everton fans could allow themselves some cause for optimism
after several signings, but by Saturday lunchtime, Frank
Lampard's side will be taking on the firepower of Juergen
Klopp's Liverpool in the Merseyside derby.
Although Liverpool made a stuttering start to the season, Darwin
Nunez, Liverpool's main summer signing, is available again after
suspension and the 9-0 win over Bournemouth and the last-second
2-1 victory over Newcastle suggest normal service has been
resumed for Klopp's side.
Lampard, whose team battled against relegation last season and
have yet to win this time around, has several new faces as
options with midfielders Idrissa Gueye and James Garner signing
on deadline day and forward Neal Maupay a recent addition from
Brighton and Hove Albion.
Everton have won just one of their last 26 meetings in all
competitions with their neighbours.
Manchester United, who have won their last three games, spent
over 200 million pounds -- over half of it on Brazilians
Casemiro and Antony -- but on Sunday they face Arsenal, the only
team in the league with a 100% record.
Mikel Arteta moved smartly in the window to add Gabriel Jesus
and Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City but the trip to Old
Trafford is the toughest test yet for the Gunners.
Manager Steven Gerrard is under pressure at Aston Villa, who
have lost four of their five outings and host Manchester City on
Saturday.
Champions City have quickly hit their stride with new signing
Erling Haaland having scored nine goals in his first five games,
including hat-tricks in the last two matches.
Former Arsenal forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could make his
debut in attack for Chelsea in their London derby against West
Ham after completing a late move from Barcelona.
($1 = 0.8657 pounds)
(Reporting by Simon Evans; Editing by Toby Davis)
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