Chelsea, Tottenham, Liverpool and Watford have written their names into the history books by each winning their opening three games of the league season. It is the first time in Premier League history that four teams boast a 100-per-cent record after the opening three matchdays and we take a look at how previous fast starters have fared in the past...
It is only the third time in the history of the English top-flight - and the first time since 1932 - that four teams have started a campaign with three wins in a row and it has produced mixed results historically. The first time it occurred, in 1903/04, Sheffield Wednesday (or 'The Wednesday' as they were known then) went on to win the league title from Manchester City, who went on to win the FA Cup. Sunderland eventually finished sixth and Sheffield United seventh.
In 1932/33, Aston Villa started with three wins in a row but could only finish second to Arsenal, whilst West Bromwich Albion (4th), Derby County (7th) and Portsmouth (9th) all went on to enjoy relatively successful campaigns after starting with three victories on the bounce.
What could it all mean for Chelsea, Tottenham, Liverpool and Watford?
For Chelsea this is nothing knew as they set a Premier League by winning nine in a row at the start of the 2005/06 season and they have recent form when coming out of the traps quickly. The Blues won their first three games en route to winning their most recent league titles in 2014/15 and 2016/17.
1903-04 (Sunderland, Sheff Weds, Man City, Sheff Utd)
1932-33 (Villa, Derby, WBA, Portsmouth)
2018-19 (Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham, Watford)
Only three of the 12 teams to have started with three wins in a row have gone on to win the title since the start of the 2010/11 campaign - Manchester City in 2011/12, Chelsea in 2014/15 and 2016/17.
However, Tottenham won eleven in a row at the start of the 1960/61 season and they went on to do a league and FA Cup double. In doing so they became the first team to do the 'double' in the 20th century.
Liverpool are enjoying their best start to a Premier League season since 1993/94, when they actually lost their fourth game to Spurs, and Watford are enjoying their best ever start to a top-flight campaign. Hornets fans, it is worth bearing in mind that no team has finished lower than eighth (Swansea in 2014/15) after winning their first three league games since the start of the 2010/11 season.
At least one team will lose their 100-per-cent record during the next round of games as Watford host Tottenham at Vicarage Road on Sunday, while Liverpool face arguably their biggest test of the season when they visit Leicester City on Saturday lunchtime and Chelsea host Bournemouth. For Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri, the Blues' recent record of going on to win the Premier League after making fast starts bodes well and the London side have perhaps been sneaking under the radar during these opening weeks...
