West Brom already have that sinking feeling

London - While the powerhouse teams jostle for position at the top of the English standings in the early days of the new season, there's no need to guess who's at the bottom.

After losses at Manchester United and defending champion Arsenal and at home to Leeds, promoted West Bromwich Albion wasn't given the kindest start on its return to the top flight for the first time in 16 years.

Gary Megson's cheaply assembled team was already hot favorite to go straight back down even before it suffered those defeats and now it finds itself in last place with no points and only another relegation candidate, Bolton Wanderers, for company.

On Saturday, West Brom hosts Fulham, a team financed by the millions of Harrods' owner Mohamed Al Fayed, and badly needs a victory to kickstart its campaign.

"Looking back now it's not a start, more of an initiation," acknowledged Megson whose team has quickly discovered the vast gulf between the Premier League and division one. "We're learning lessons, but it's taking too long."

The defenders who had 27 shutouts last season in their promotion season have been torn apart this term by some of the best players in world soccer and, according to Megson, are making basic mistakes.

He is also trying to strengthen the squad by persuading Tranmere's Welsh international Jason Koumas to join and former West Brom striker Lee Hughes to return from Coventry.

Three days before the transfer deadline, fees have been agreed with the clubs but, with Albion renowned as among the meanest payers in terms of wages, there could be a sticking point when it comes to personal terms.

"We need new faces, but they've got to be the right players," Megson said. "They must want to come and not kill the club financially."

With or without Hughes and Koumas, a victory at the Hawthorns on Saturday will help Albion's cause both in terms of confidence and points. The odds on the club going back down are 1/4 and it is 11/4 to stay up and, with Bolton not playing until it hosts Aston Villa on Sunday, the Baggies have the chance of at least climbing away from last place.

The highlight game of the weekend is Chelsea vs. Arsenal at Stamford Bridge with the Gunners top of the standings on goal difference after its 5-2 beating of West Brom on Tuesday.

Chelsea, with a win and two ties, are in fifth place just two points behind. On Wednesday, Claudio Ranieri's men needed a late equalizer by Frank Lampard to gain a 1-1 tie at Southampton.

Second place Liverpool isn't in action until it hosts Newcastle on Monday with both teams also riding high in the Champions League.

Gerard Houllier's team was held to a 2-2 tie by Blackburn on Wednesday while third place Tottenham has won two games in a row and hopes to make it three by beating Southampton at home as manager Glenn Hoddle faces his former club.

Manchester United, whose Premier League dominance was broken by Arsenal last season, travels to meet a Sunderland team boosted by the confidence of winning at title contender Leeds United on Wednesday.

In probably the surprise result of the season so far, Jason McAteer scored the only goal of the game at Elland Road to end Leeds' 100 percent start of the season. It was perfect timing because the Black Cats fans were beginning to turn on manager Peter Reid after a 0-0 tie and a loss.

Everton's bright start to the season was almost ended by promoted Birmingham City on Wednesday only for David Unsworth to score a lucky equalizer in a 1-1 tie at Goodison Park. Now David Moyes' team goes to Manchester City, which has lost two of its three games so far.

In typical Kevin Keegan style, Manchester City was promoted as division one champion after winning 31 games and losing nine of its 46 outings and it looks as if its Premier League campaign will follow a similar roller-coaster route.

Near neighbors West Ham and Charlton meet at Upton Park with the Hammers second from last in the standings after a tie and a defeat and the Addicks 12th after a win and two losses.

Blackburn, which held Liverpool at Ewood Park on Wednesday, goes to Middlesbrough which has started with two ties. Both teams are unbeaten with Graeme Souness' Rovers having started with a victory and two ties.

Division one leader Portsmouth has climbed to the top after recruiting veteran former England international Paul Merson and Jamaican forward Deon Burton to go with Bulgarian striker Svetoslav Todorov.

Pompey, which was one of English soccer's strongest teams in the late 1940s with back to back league titles, holds a two point lead over Wolves and hosts promoted Brighton on Saturday. Wolves visits Wimbledon. - Sapa-AP