Much went to script in the Premier League Opening weekend. The clubs who finished one through four last season all won their matches and Chelsea created more off the pitch drama. The first ball was kicked at Old Trafford where Manchester United looked as unready as Manager Eric ten Hag had predicted the day before, but still managed to post a win courtesy of one of their new signings. Joshua Zirkzee, one of three Dutch players recently signed by ten Hag, became an instant hero when he scored in the 87th minute to defeat Fulham 1-0. Zirkzee’s goal was assisted by Alejandro Garnacho as the two substitutes injected life into a struggling Manchester United attack Manchester United right back Noussair Mazraoui proved to be another valuable addition after being thrust into a starting role less than a week after his signing. Mazraoui was relieved in the 81st minute by yet another transfer, Matthijs de Ligt. Both defenders were acquired from Bayern Munich this month, and both have previously played for ten Hag at Ajax. The transfer window so far looks to have been good for the Red Devils.
Liverpool, on the other hand, has made no signings and did not seem to need any in the Reds’ 2-0 victory at Ipswich Town on Saturday. Ipswich Town put up a good fight for a half before Liverpool took over Saturday’s match with Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah scoring in the 60th and 65th minute, respectively. Liverpool’s improved sense of urgency after halftime spoke well of Slot, a winner in his Premier League debut. The quality Slot inherits was evident in Jota’s goal which featured slick passing from Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah to set up the score. Salah’s goal five minutes later was a record ninth time he has scored on the Premier League’s opening weekend.
Arsenal, second to Manchester City in the last two campaigns, is also counting on improvement from its core roster to put it over the top. Kai Havertz addressed the continuing question of his striker credentials by heading in the first goal of the Gunners’ new title chase at the 25-minute mark.
Bukayo Saka knocked in the second goal for a side which scored 91 goals last season, second only to the 96 of Manchester City, despite missing a traditional Number Nine. The Gunners clearly outclassed a Wolves side which probably needs to reinvest some of the proceeds from selling former stalwarts Max Kilman and Pedro Neto. The only offense offered by Wolverhampton in the match was provided by defender Yerson Mosquera who on one occasion put his hand on the throat of Havertz and then, more strangely, was seen grabbing Arsenal defender Gabrel’s right cheek (not the one beside his nose). Mosquera was not booked for either offense though Gabriel received a card for his understandable aggression following the goosing.Kai Havertz gets @Arsenal's first goal of the new season!
— Premier League (@premierleague) August 17, 2024
How good was that Bukayo Saka assist? 🤌#ARSWOL | #TheKickOff pic.twitter.com/n4nnmVzsCB
Manchester City were unmolested by a tame Chelsea effort in a 2-0 away win for the defending champions. Erling Haaland, the reigning Golden Boot winner, scored the opening goal for Manchester City while former Chelsea player Mateo Kovacic would score the insurance goal, rubbing salt in the wounds of unhappy Chelsea supporters. Manchester City was far from its best as several stars are still acclimating after international play this summer with midfielder Rodri not even on hand as he enjoys an extended break after Spain’s’ European Championship. It did not matter against Chelsea which is absorbed in self-inflicted chaos. Another 11 signings this transfer window had brought the number of senior players at Chelsea to over 40 heading into match day. Several players are practicing away from the team as options for their disposal are explored. Four different players made their club debut against the Citizens, only the second time a Premier League club has fielded so many newcomers in a single match. Losing out in the game of musical chairs was Premier League veteran Raheem Sterling who failed to make the match day squad despite frequently featuring in preseason for new manager Enzo Maresca. A miffed Sterling camp issued a statement before gametime asking for clarity from the club regarding Sterling’s status. The veteran winger now joins a long list of players questioning their future at the volatile club. Meanwhile, Enzo Fernandez was made captain for the match by Maresca, a controversial move after the Argentine’s recent involvement with racist chants.
Just a year ago, Aston Villa was clobbered on opening weekend by Newcastle. The Villans would shrug that off and deliver an impressive 2023/24 season which saw them displace Newcastle in the top four. Villa wasted no time in showing its quality this season by defeating West Ham 2-1 at London Stadium. Aston Villa won the battle of clarets when substitute Jhon Duran found the net in the 79th minute. Duran almost became a Hammer some weeks ago, even posing with a cross armed Hammers gesture on social media before negotiations fell apart. The failed deal cost the Hammers three points on Saturday. Newly acquired midfielder Amadou Onana scored the first goal for Aston Villa in another positive sign on opening day for Manager Unai Emery’s gang. West Ham’s new manager Juan Lopetegui, meanwhile, lost his home debut.
Newcastle went down a man in the 28th minute and were still able to prevail over newly promoted Southampton on a 45th minute goal by the Magpies’’ Joelinton. The Saints self-destructed when goalkeeper Alex McCarthy was guilty of a giveaway leading to the winning goal for Newcastle. The Saints were then unable to raise a prayer against the packed Newcastle defense.
Nottingham Forest bungled a cross into its box late in the Trees’ match with Bournemouth, dropping two points when the Cherries’ Antine Semenyo capitalized for an equalizing goal in the 87th minute of a 1-1 draw at the City Gound. Semenyo pounced when an attempted clearance by one Forest defender struck another Tree and fell to the feet of the Bournemouth striker in front of goal. Nottingham Forest is widely expected to join the promoted sides in the relegation battle this season and the dropped points at home surely will not help.
Brentford secured a 2-1 home win in its London derby with Crystal Palace when Yoane Wissa got the winner in the 78th minute at Gtech Community Stadium. Crystal Palace was robbed of a first half goal by a premature whistle in the season’s first major refereeing controversy.
Monday’s final match of the opening weekend saw Tottenham Hotspur drop points at Leicester when Jamie Vardy equalized things for the Foxes with his 57th minute goal. The 37-year-old Vardy sparred with both Spurs fans and center back Cristian Romero as the 2016 title winner let his trophyless opponents hear all about it. Spurs did not necessarily play poorly but was victimized by a lack of finishing by its forward players, a skill never lacked for by Vardy.
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