Thursday 10 September 2015 07:55, UK
Transfer window closed. One month gone in the season. Time for punters to take stock of what has happened so far. One thing is for sure, we've had some cracking games on Super Sunday already.
West Ham got the ball rolling when they stunned the Emirates on the opening weekend and Swansea book-ended that with another brilliant performance against Manchester United on Sunday. The Liberty Stadium was rocking, while our studio was shaking.
The standout Super Sunday performance was Manchester City's destruction of Chelsea in week two. City have undoubtedly been the team of the first month, making big statements on and off the field.
On it they have been imperious so far and I cannot remember a team shortening up so drastically after only four games. They have gone from being around a 3/1 chance before a ball was kicked in to 1/2 with Sky Bet to win the title.
The team look hungry again and ominously good. Off the field they have added Nicolas Otamendi and Kevin De Bruyne to an already impressive squad.
While other teams were floundering in a difficult market in the last few days of the transfer window, Man City were able to signal their intent. City fans must be delighted, with United and Arsenal supporters shaking their heads.
Manager of the month - Garry Monk
At the end of last season on Monday Night Football we were asking where on earth Garry Monk and Swansea can go from here after such an impressive season, which culminated in a club-record finish.
Yet, on the first few weeks' evidence, that progressive curve shows no sign of stopping. Again on Super Sunday, Monk showed the tactical nous that Jamie and Gary have been referring to for some time. Switching to a diamond in midfield in the second half changed the game against Man Utd.
Swansea have always had continuity and an effective way of playing but Monk has added to that and made his side more flexible and harder to beat at times. His record in the big games is testament to that and Monk's stock seems to rise by the week.
On Sunday, Swansea beat Manchester United for a third straight time in the Premier League. Only five other clubs have ever done that. Swansea are now 4/7 with Sky Bet to finish in the top half and only 9/2 for a top-six finish.
The transfer window again showed why Swansea, along with Southampton, are the benchmark for clubs coming up to the Premier League. Swansea quietly and effectively go about their business and you will never see them embroiled in the mither and madness of transfer Deadline Day.
All seven Premier League goals this season have been scored by Bafetimbi Gomis and Andre Ayew. The latter was man of the match on Sunday and has been one of the stars of the first month. Swansea signed both on free transfers. Enough said.
Southampton have had the heart of their team ripped out in the last two windows. They have never panicked and have put their foot down when necessary, as Morgan Schneiderlin and now Victor Wanyama found out.
They calmly secured their final long-term target Virgil Van Dijk from Celtic on Tuesday, ensuring the window had gone to plan. The last two summers may have destroyed some clubs but Southampton's heart continues to beat and they march on.
Players of the month
3. Scott Dann
Crystal Palace have picked up where they left off last season under Alan Pardew. They are down to 8/11 for a top-half finish. Counterattacking football is in vogue and few do it better than Palace. They were brilliant at Stamford Bridge last weekend.
Jason Puncheon has been outstanding and, along with Yannick Bolasie and Wilfred Zaha, seems to attract the headlines, while Yohan Cabaye was the headline signing this summer but has been relatively quiet so far.
However, it's the back four and in particular their two central defenders who have given Palace the platform - and both deserve enormous credit. Damien Delaney was outstanding on Saturday winning his battle with Diego Costa but it's Scott Dann who has been consistently good for 18 months.
In his time at Blackburn I assumed he would just become a journeyman centre-back but instead he's now a leader and at a time when there's a dearth of top class centre halves, Dann is developing in to one of the best.
2. Jefferson Montero
On Sunday morning, Matteo Darmian can't have been too sad to hear Montero had injured his quad in training on Friday, as the Ecuadorian has been terrorising right backs this season.
Branislav Ivanovic and Daryl Janmaat must still be having nightmares, while Calum Chambers might never play there again after his demolition job in November.
'Baby Jeff' is an old fashioned winger who is great to watch and has made a brilliant start to the season.
1. David Silva
Player of the month is a no-brainer really. Silva has been mesmerising every time we've watched him this season. Every manager seems to talk about closing off space and stopping Silva getting in to the pockets behind Sergio Aguero. That seems to be an impossible task.
Silva always seems to find time and space and the ball is like a magnet to him. He has thrived in the central role behind Aguero.
Wayne Rooney must look on with envy as Silva has pace all around him as Raheem Sterling and Jesus Navas give him great outlets out wide and stretch the game to give him more room to operate.
City have a great balance about them and Silva is thriving within it.
Silva and co. are back in domestic action next weekend. I'm looking forward to presenting Super Sunday from Leicester City, who have been the surprise package of the season so far.
In the meantime, it's crunch time for the home nations in the Euro 2016 qualifiers, starting with Wales in Cyprus tonight. Live games galore on Sky Sports and betting opportunities galore with Sky Bet over the next few days. Good luck to all.
