TV pundit Paul Merson does not expect West Ham or Leicester City to sustain their challenge for a top-four spot this campaign. The Hammers find themselves in fifth after seven games, level on points with Arsenal, but the ex-Gunner doesn’t believe they have the quality to keep up their form:

“The cream always comes to the top – they (United and Arsenal) are not playing well at the moment, but over 38 games, you are asking Leicester and West Ham to do something special the way the gulf is at the moment.”

With Manchester United having made their worst start in 30 years, and trailing West Ham by three points already, it is a bit too early for Merson to dismiss the London club’s prospects of finishing in the Champions League places.

However, Manuel Pellegrini’s side will have to prove that their inconsistent form of last season is a thing of the past. Their last two results, a 4-0 defeat to Oxford in the Carabao Cup and a 2-2 away draw at Bournemouth, are not exactly performances that will leave the ‘Big Six” shaking in their boots.

Even so, both Arsenal and Manchester United looked decidedly poor in their clash last night and it will give the Irons hope that they can finish above them this campaign.