The 10 Biggest Surprises of the EPL Season Heading into Week 8

No one is shocked that Chelsea are at the top of the table, but they have come flying out of the gate and it's a bit surprising to see them be as dominant as they've been. Chelsea have taken 19 out of a possible 21 points, and they already have a goal differential of 14, which is astounding this early in the season. They've clearly established themselves as the favorite to win the EPL in 2015.

Most thought that without David Moyes, Manchester United would go back to being a top-of-the-table team, especially after an impressive preseason. However, it hasn't been that simple, as Man U suffered a few embarrassing results early in the tenure of Louis van Gaal. They've started to turn things around, but they still don't have a marquee win and have a lot to prove to show they're for real this season.

With an opening day upset of Manchester United, the Swans jumped straight to the top of the table, and they've stayed there, currently sitting fifth after seven weeks. Few anticipated a start like this for Swansea, and with the schedule they have coming up after the international break, the Swans have a real shot to stay close to the top of the table and compete head-to-head with the traditional powers of the EPL.

With Luis Suarez no longer in the EPL, the scoring title this season was up for grabs with no obvious favorite. But that has changed quickly with Costa scoring nine goals over his first seven Premier League matches. In his first EPL season, Costa has been a fantastic finisher and is on pace to finish with nearly 50 goals. Many thought we'd see several contenders, but Costa has made the Golden Boot a one-horse race.

With Balotelli returning to England, many thought he'd quickly become one of the EPL's most feared goal scorers, but he's been shut out early in the season. The Italian striker has scored a goal in Champions League, but he's failed to find the back of the net for Liverpool in five league games. With Daniel Sturridge injured, Balotelli's lack of scoring is even more surprising and a reason why Liverpool are mid-table seven matches into the season.

For most clubs, their first season in the EPL is all about avoiding relegation, but early in the season Leicester have made it clear that they're in the EPL to commit. With the help of a fantastic come-from-behind win over Man U, Leicester have a comfortable buffer between them and the relegation zone. They look like a team that could stay in the middle of the pack all season.

Some people -- like me -- had Villa pegged as a relegation candidate before the season, but they surprised everyone with a fast start. They had three wins and a draw in their first four matches, sending them towards the top of the table. They've come back to earth after matches with some losses to a few powerhouse clubs and they still have just four goals on the season, but their quick start to the season stunned everybody.

Weeks later this is still puzzling. Pulis was EPL manager of the year last season, and then out of nowhere he leaves Crystal Palace without much rhyme or reason. This was definitely one of the most shocking events early in the EPL season, and in the aftermath of his exit, Crystal Palace have had a few disappointing results and sit in the bottom half of the table.

It's just seven matches into the season, but who thought Everton would ever be this close to the relegation zone? They are just two points clear of the relegation zone and have won just once in their first seven EPL matches. Perhaps most disappointing is that Everton lead the EPL with 16 goals conceded, as Tim Howard has struggled and the defense in front of him has played poorly all season.

Southampton were a trendy pick to be relegated before the season, and for good reason, but they have surpassed even the most optimistic expectations through the first seven games of the EPL season. They didn't even notch their first win until their third match, but they were spectacular in September and are sitting third in the table rather comfortably. With an EPL-leading five goals conceded this year, Southampton could be for real.