Seven games into 2016-17, new Premier League managers and signings have been given a chance to acclimatise to the division and find their feet.
The international break offers the opportunity to reflect on which sides have improved on their standing from 12 months ago and which teams have gone backwards.
Here, ESPN FC ranks the teams who have made the biggest strides on from this stage in the Premier League last season. The promoted clubs Burnley, Hull and Middlesbrough are exempt as they were in the Championship back in October 2016.
1. Tottenham Hotspur: +5 points
A slow beginning and end to the 2015-16 campaign cost Spurs a better shot at the title but a five-point improvement on this same stage last season suggests they have learned from their mistakes. They're the only unbeaten team left and have the best defensive record to underline their credentials as serious challengers.
2. Liverpool: +5 points
In Jurgen Klopp's first full season as manager it's not just the points tally that has improved, the Reds have scored more goals (18) now, and that's with tough trips to Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea out of the way too. They have conceded one more goal though. They trailed the leaders by five points after seven games in 2015-16 -- now it's just two.
3. Chelsea: +5 points
It hasn't been the perfect start for Antonio Conte, but to put things in perspective they are five points up on this same stage last season, and are seven places better off in the table. Recovering from last season's collapse was never going to be a quick job but conceding five fewer goals shows progress is being made.
4. Manchester City: +3 points
Pep Guardiola's Manchester City have three more points, five more goals, are one place better off in the league table and are the top scorers in the division. But there is still plenty of work to be done. City have conceded one more goal and only kept one clean sheet, compared with five at this same stage in 2015-16.
5. Arsenal: +3 points
Arsenal have made their second-best start in a decade (in 2007-08 they had 19 points after seven games) and if they can maintain their excellent form there is every chance of a real challenge for the Premier League title. With only three goals conceded in the last six games and the third best attack in the division -- six goals better than at this point last season -- the Gunners have every right to feel good.
6. Everton: +2 points
The Ronald Koeman revolution is underway at Goodison Park, and although Everton are fifth and two points better off than at this stage last campaign they should not get carried away. They were in the same spot after seven games last season and fell away to finish 11th. Defensively they have improved, conceding two fewer to boast the second-best record in the Premier League but they are only the joint-eighth top scorers.
7. West Bromwich Albion: +1 point
Tony Pulis has made a typically solid yet unspectacular start to the season. The goals for and against columns have both improved, as have the points secured, and although it is likely to be unpopular, Baggies fans can expect midtable security as long as Pulis sticks around.
8. Bournemouth: +1 point
Bournemouth have marginally improved upon their tally, despite having a worse goal difference and scoring three times fewer. Progress will be slow on the south coast, but keeping the Cherries in the Premier League is the only end result that will matter to Eddie Howe and his squad.
9. Southampton: 0
Southampton's ability to navigate a constant revolving door of managers and star players without letting it affect performances on the pitch is still working. This season, despite losing coach Koeman and three important players in Sadio Mane, Graziano Pelle and Victor Wanyama, they are in good shape with identical points, league placing and goal difference and the third-best defence in the division.
10. Sunderland: 0
Although things look desperate for Sunderland, rock bottom of the division and without a victory in the opening two months of the season, they escaped from a near identical situation 12 months ago. This time around, although they have shipped three fewer goals, their chances of pulling off another great escape don't look good.
11. Crystal Palace: -1 point
Down one point and one place in the table, progress is slowly being made under Alan Pardew at Selhurst Park. Crystal Palace have lost one fewer game and scored two more goals but the real test will come over a longer period. Pardew cannot afford anything like a repeat of the 14-game winless run that almost cost the Eagles their Premier League status.
12. Watford: -1 point
Given their frequent managerial changes and the appointment of a coach with no Premier League experience, Watford have made a steady start to life under Walter Mazzarri and are two places higher in the league table despite having one point less. Their goal difference is identical, but goals are a lot easier to come by this campaign -- 12 for and 13 against compared with five for and six against last season.
13. Manchester United: -3 points
The spotlight shines unfavourably on Jose Mourinho's start at Old Trafford when it is considered that Louis van Gaal was three points better off at this point last season and top of the table. While United have scored one more goal they have also conceded three more.
14. Stoke City: -3 points
Four defeats and no wins from the opening seven games doesn't make a great reference for a side with ambitions to improve on last season's ninth place finish, as they're only three points down on their total at this stage last season, it is not irretrievable yet. However, they have scored two fewer goals and let in six more.
15. Leicester City: -4 points
Leicester's start to life as Premier League champions has been unforgiving. This time last year they were eighth with 12 points, four points off top and flying under the radar. This season they have tightened things up defensively to ship three fewer goals but worryingly their goals scored has dropped from 15 to eight.
16. Swansea City: -5 points
Swansea's poor start to the campaign cost Francesco Guidolin his job, and the statistics aren't pretty. Five points down on last season, the Swans have conceded four more goals, scored two fewer and lost three more games, leaving new coach Bob Bradley with a big task on his hands.
17. West Ham United: -9 points
From third to 18th in just 12 months -- the wheels have fallen off at West Ham who are the Premier League's least improved side by some distance. Not only are they nine points down from this point last season but they have scored seven goals fewer and conceded eight more. The Hammers have gone from having the joint-best attack in the top flight to the worst defence.