Chelsea's Attacking Trio Leads Way Before Hull Trip

Chelsea travel to Aston Villa on Saturday with three players already doing most of the damage. Morgan Rogers, João Pedro and Cole Palmer have combined for 10 goal contributions across three matches, the most productive front line in the Premier League so far this season. Rogers opened the scoring in Chelsea's 1-1 draw at Arsenal last weekend before Kai Havertz cancelled it out. Their summer overhaul under Enzo Maresca ran to 39 exits and 11 signings, a £349m outlay that left him with a settled squad and, on this evidence, an attack that has clicked early.

Chelsea have never beaten Aston Villa in the top flight. Saturday also marks Ollie Watkins's 100th Premier League appearance. He has yet to score this season, with a couple of near misses to his name, but his off-the-ball graft has underpinned Villa's blistering start. Chelsea have not won any of their last four league games against promoted opposition.

Elsewhere, at Craven Cottage, Marco Silva's start as Fulham head coach has brought three defeats from three league games and seven goals conceded, and his methods are under scrutiny. Andoni Iraola, now in the away dugout with Liverpool, went nine games without a win when he first took charge at Bournemouth. Fulham have looked sharp going forward under Silva but open at the back, against a Liverpool side beginning to find its attacking rhythm.

If Fulham's defending does not tighten up soon, and Liverpool keep improving in front of goal, Silva's difficult opening weeks may turn into a longer-running problem at Craven Cottage.