Diego Costa, 27
Six league goals in 2016/17
Just seven games into the new campaign, it's too early to suggest who will or won't - can or can't - win the title. But if there's one thing we have learnt from the opening exchanges it's who might be able to go the distance.
The top two went head-to-head at White Hart Lane on Sunday as Tottenham Hotspur ground out a well deserved 2-0 victory over early pacesetters Manchester City. That result emphatically ended Pep Guardiola's unbeaten start and further emphasised Spurs' title credentials.
Mauricio Pochettino's side pushed Leicester all the way last season, only to run out of steam at the final few hurdles. This diminutive, young and energetic Spurs side are hungry following the disappointment of the previous campaign and appear to be the team to beat after sending out their statement of intent by dismantling the title favourites.
Fortunately for City, after a tough week both domestically and in Europe, they have a chance to regroup after the international break and regain some of the momentum from their blistering start.
The performance at White Hart Lane, for long periods in the first half, particularly, was lethargic from City but, despite Guardiola ringing the changes in the summer, this is still a relatively old squad that started the game.
In comparison, Pochettino's Spurs side epitomised his high pressing philosophy - orchestrated by the mercurial Son Heung-min, who terrorised the City backline until his withdrawal two minutes from time. The South Korean caused Pablo Zabaleta, 31, and Aleksandar Kolarov, 30, problems from the first whistle and if he can maintain that sort of form - the form that prompted the north London club to part with £22m to secure his services from Bayer Leverkusen - then he could be an influential figure in Spurs' title challenge.
Sergio Aguero, 28
Five league goals in 2016/17
Daniel Sturridge, 27
No league goals in 2016/17
It is the same intensity that Jurgen Klopp has instilled into his players at Liverpool. His side showed their character and resilience to come from a goal down to claim all three points at Swansea on Saturday.
The early season form of Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino has been key to Liverpool's success, with the Brazilian duo contributing six goals between them. Add to that the impressive displays of Adam Lallana and summer recruit Sadio Mane, who have also chipped in with three goals each, Klopp's side appear to be a force to be reckoned with.
Perhaps the only concern for Liverpool is the form or Daniel Sturridge or Divock Origi should goals from midfield dry up. Their last two serious title challenges were spearheaded by Fernando Torres and Luis Suarez in 2008/09 and 2013/14 respectively and the Merseysiders don't have a finisher of that calibre anymore.
Since Suarez' departure to Barcelona, the Anfield club have lacked a world class striker to lead the line. Sturridge's inconsistency and injury record is a major problem, while Origi seems unlikely to live up to the hype that surrounded his impressive 2014 World Cup with Belgium.
If Liverpool are to emerge as serious contenders, Klopp needs either one of his strikers to step up or to invest in a proven goal scorer. In his back-to-back Bundesliga title triumphs with Borussia Dortmund, he had Lucas Barrios and Robert Lewandowski at his disposal to fire the team to glory.
A clinical finisher - a killer - is the final piece missing from the Liverpool jigsaw. The main challengers this season have their hitmen: Diego Costa at Chelsea, Sergio Aguero at City, Zlatan Ibrahimovic at United and Harry Kane at Spurs.
Could a move for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang be on the cards?
ARE LIVERPOOL TITLE CONTENDERS?
Jurgen Klopp's side are one of the front runners in the opening stages of the season, but do they have the fire power to win the league?
Article posted: 2 October 2016
