Arsenal and Manchester City are the only two teams with 12 points from four games.
They are already four points above third-placed Hull City – who despite their brilliant early form may not consider themselves in any kind of title equation – and five above the rest.
Arsenal are the defending champions and pre-season title favourites.
Under manager Mikel Arteta they ended a 22-year title drought last season with what was often perceived to be an attritional style of play.
They started this season with a hugely impressive 3-0 victory over Manchester City in the Community Shield.
And they have carried on with victories over Coventry, Aston Villa, Chelsea and Sunderland – plus Napoli in the Champions League.
Including last season, they are now on a nine-game winning run in the league – and last lost in any competition in 90 minutes to City on 19 April.
Unlike Arsenal, City do not have the continuity this season with boss Pep Guardiola leaving after six titles, including a Treble, in 10 years.
Enzo Maresca, once his assistant, has taken over and led them to four wins from four in the league after that loss in Cardiff to the Gunners.
They have beaten Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Coventry – plus Porto in the Champions League – before their controversial 1-0 success at Manchester United on Sunday.
Erling Haaland scored the only goal, with the Premier League’s refereeing body later admitting a mistake as it should have been ruled out for offside.
Despite their 100% starts, the underlying numbers behind Arsenal and City’s starts do not imply total dominance.
Brighton (13) and Chelsea (10) have scored more goals than the eight that the top two have both netted.
For shots, Arsenal and City rank 10th and 11th and touches in the opposition box they are sixth and fifth respectively.
Arsenal have only conceded once and City have let in two goals – two of the best records in the league.