HEROES

Manchester United striker Anthony Martial is supposed to be cowed by expectation. That's how it works. He's a relatively unheralded teenager who cost an absolute fortune -- potentially £58 million -- and has been plunged into the most physically intimidating of Europe's top leagues. After two Premier League appearances he should, by rights, be counting the bruises on his legs and wondering whether defenders will ever stop kicking him long enough for him to have a shot. Instead, he's three goals to the good already and they've all been smart finishes. If he can keep this up all season, he may yet prove to be something of a bargain.
It's not entirely clear how he's doing it, but he's doing it, all right. West Ham boss Slaven Bilic has taken his West Ham side to the Emirates, Anfield and the Etihad and he's brought them back to East London with nine points. If Chelsea or Manchester United did that, you'd tip them for the title immediately. Manchester City were camped in West Ham's half for much of the 90 minutes on Saturday, but the Hammers held their nerve admirably and emerged 2-1 victors. Imagine if they'd shown that resolve at home to Bournemouth and Leicester. They'd running away with the league by now.

Not a good result for Manchester City, but not a bad debut for Kevin De Bruyne. With a £55m price tag around his neck, the pressure was on the young Belgian to make a swift impression and he didn't let anyone down. It wasn't just that he scored, a rasping low drive from long range, it was the effort he showed throughout the game against West Ham. He wanted to be involved in absolutely everything. When David Silva returns from injury, City will have the most formidable attack in British football.
Bournemouth's Matt Ritchie has shown flashes of his ability in his short time in the Premier League. On Saturday, he made everyone sit up to pay attention. Make no mistake, his wonder strike in the 2-0 win against Sunderland will be a goal of the season contender come May. Ritchie actually played twice in the top flight with Portsmouth back in the 2009-10 season, but after a nomadic period in the lower leagues, he must have feared that he'd never return. A finish like this is further evidence that this is his level.
Tony Pulis has a naughty seat in his office and by all accounts, Saido Berahino may as well have his name embossed on the back of it. But if the 22-year-old striker keeps scoring goals as important, albeit fortunate, as the one he struck in the 1-0 win for West Brom at Aston Villa on Saturday, Pulis will be able to use it as a foot rest. Almost three weeks ago, Berahino appeared to threaten strike action when he wasn't allowed to move to Tottenham. That's the sort of thing that can turn the fans against you, but goals against local rivals tend to get you off the hook.