The Premier League returns this weekend, with each club having played seven matches. Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal are occupying the top three spots and all three finished in the top three last season, while the three newly promoted teams are in the bottom six. However, while there are not any surprises at the top or bottom of the table, there have been a number of players whose form this campaign has been a pleasant surprise.
BBC Sport has looked at eight players that have performed better than fans may have expected this season. Liam Delap had only made two substitute appearances in the Premier League before Ipswich Town paid Manchester City an initial fee of £15m, in a deal that could rise to £20m, this summer. But that is looking a bargain as 21-year-old Delap has already scored four goals despite his new side struggling in their first top-flight campaign since 2001-02.
If Town are to stay up then the form of the England Under-21 striker will be key, with him already scoring in the 1-1 draw with Fulham, twice in the 2-2 draw with Aston Villa and in the 4-1 loss to West Ham. Did you know? With four goals from 11 shots, Liam Delap has the third-highest shot conversion rate of any player with 10 or more attempts in the Premier League this season. Like Ipswich, Southampton are yet to record a Premier League victory after winning promotion from the Championship last season.
But one of the main plusses for Russell Martin's side has been the form of 18-year-old creati.
