Friday 2 September 2016 13:24, UK
Antonio Valencia, Raheem Sterling, Eden Hazard and Curtis Davies have been nominated for the Premier League player of the month award for August.
Hazard appears to be rediscovering the form that saw him crowned Premier League player of the year in 2014/15 with the Belgian scoring twice and registering an assist to help Chelsea take nine points form their first three games.
Sterling has adapted quickly to life under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City with two goals and two assists in his first three games this season, as part of the Premier League's most potent attack.
Valencia has been in outstanding form for Manchester United, establishing himself as Jose Mourinho's first-choice right-back in the Premier League's meanest defence.
Newly-promoted Hull City have been the surprise package of the season so far and Davies has been their outstanding player with a series of excellent displays at the back.
The early success of Man United, Man City, Chelsea and Hull is also reflected in the race to be crowned manager of the month for August with Mourinho, Pep Guardiola, Antonio Conte and Mike Phelan all nominated.
Mourinho, Guardiola and Conte have all hit the ground running with their new teams with each manager taking a maximum nine points from their opening three games.
Few predicted Phelan would be in contention after a turbulent summer at the KCOM Stadium but he is there on merit with victories over champions Leicester City and Swansea City and only a last-gasp Marcus Rashford winner denying him a point against Man United.
