These ten things I know are true

Every Monday TalkFootball Editor Neil Monnery rounds up ten things that he knows now that he didn't before after the weekends action.

1. I know that Chelsea are better today than they were last season. The performance against Portsmouth was helped by an inept display from the visitors but the pace and movement off the ball was just like the way Arsenal have played in the recent past.

2. I know that Arsenal fans still haven't forgiven Emmanuel Adebayor for his behaviour over the summer. The Togolese international angled for a move away from the Emirates unless he got a bumper new pay offer – this hasn't been forgotten by the supporters.

3. I know that Frank Lampard is a hypocrite. Slapping the Chelsea badge on his shirt after he scored the clubs third in their romp against Portsmouth was meant to show his love for the club. This is the same club that he wouldn't sign a new contract with unless they gave him a fifth year on his new contract. If he really loved the club and got £150k for four years then I think that'd of been fine. Demanding a fifth and proclaiming your love for the club when you get it is hilarious.

4. I know that Dean Ashton is better than even I thought. This kid broke his ankle last year and he still looked good towards the end of the season. Give him a good pre-season and he bags two in the opener and would've got in the England squad had it not been for an injury.

5. I know that Liverpool will only win the league if Fernando Torres start 35+ games for them this season. There is no team in the Premiership where one player is as important as it is with Torres and Liverpool.

6. I know that Fabio is not the great saviour that everyone hailed him to be. Bringing back Emile Heskey without Michael Owen in the squad seems pointless to the extreme. Heskey & Rooney doesn't look like it'll work on paper and I doubt will work in reality.

7. I know that my beloved Portsmouth won't be winning the Premiership for yet another year. This might not come as a surprise to most but you have to at least dream.

8. I know that the biggest surprise of the weekend didn't come on the pitch but instead came in the commentary box. Sky gave the opening game of the Premiership weekend to Bill Leslie, which was a stunner. It may well of also been a terrific decision as Leslie has impressed doing the Championship and fully deserved a shot at the big games. It was an assured performance and hopefully we'll hear more of Leslie this season.

9. I know that the FA's new Respect Campaign has made a good start. We saw one or two players booked for dissent but nothing too drastic. Let's wait until we see a big controversial incident and then let's look at how the players react.

10. I know that this season will be as competitive as the last. Chelsea are better than they were and I think everyone is writing Arsenal off a tad too quickly. As for Manchester United – well they got two points from a possible nine to open up their last campaign and it didn't go too bad did it?