Wrap Up Of The Opening Of The Premier League

SKYSPORTS

Everton backed Carlo Ancelotti in the summer to sign three midfielders. But coming in at just over 60m Pounds, the early signs suggest it’s a snip of the full story that is to come. 

“Players that know how to play football don’t need time to adapt,” said Ancelotti after the game.  In Everton’s 1-0 win at Spurs, Abdoulaye Doucoure was the solid box-to-box midfielder the toffees have craved- legs, steel and presence.  Allan who signed from Napoli was assured on the ball, picking up a much-deserved man of the match award on his premier league debut, and that base allowed Andre Gomes and the third debutant James Rodriguez to shine up the pitch, without worrying too much about defensive duties. 

To be honest, Everton looked as well-drilled in a big away game as they have for years. In fact, this was their only win against a top-six side in years. The aim should now be to become that top-six side. Of course, the optimism must be tempered through- its week one, and Spurs were poor- but it’s a big step in the right direction for Everton and Co.

Over in Anfield, the champions found a way, but only just! Ahead of their season opener against Leeds, Jurgen Klopp promised Liverpool would “attack” their Premier League title defence and they certainly lived up to those words in their 4-3 victory. Mohamed Salah’s hat-trick eventually sealed a victory, but it could not disguise the problems Klopp’s side have at the back. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez were exposed on several occasions by Leeds, while the usually reliable Virgil van Dijk produced a costly error as once again the defensive frailties that had crept in towards the end of last season were exposed. The reds have now conceded 3+ goals in back-to-back home league games for the first time since September 1982 and Klopp knows his defenders must not repeat those errors if they are to retain the title. The question now is how is that improvement going to come from…The players already in his disposal? Or will the German coach be forced into the transfer market to inject some new blood into his defence? They already a centre-back down with the departure of Dejan Louvern, Klopp did insist before the game he had enough options at the back even talking up Fabinho in that role. 

In London Arsenal might be coming into this campaign off the back of their worst Premier League finish on the log, but that doesn’t accurately reflect the atmosphere surrounding the club. It is not just that Mikel Arteta delivered the FA Cup last month. The significant reason for optimism is that the Gunners look so much better than before.  Arteta’s team certainly had too much for Fulham at Craven Cottage. Their 3-0 win on Saturday showcased the attacking potency that might be expected of a team that includes Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, scorer of the third goal, and has been boosted by the acquisition of Willan. The Brazilian was instrumental in all three goals. New signing Gabriel was hugely impressive at the heart of the defence. Fulham barely registered a chance after the second stanza of the match. There will be trickier challenges but that is hardly the point. Arsenal has made a mess of such matches in the past. That looks less likely now. Arteta’s ideas appear to be taking shape. 

Jamie Vardy ladies and gentlemen! He became the oldest player to win the Premier League Golden Boot after finishing last season with 23 goals and, having signed a new contract extension that ties him to the club until 2023, he showed no signs of rust to open his account at the Hawthorns (West Brom) on Sunday. Leicester secured their first win since New Year’s day against West Brom, with Jamie Vardy scoring two penalties in a 3-0 victory. The 33-year old seems to be ready to renew his chase for the Golden Boot again. But can he?!

Meanwhile, two goals from two debutants and three points (opening days don’t come much better than that) as far as Newcastle are concerned.  After a while without a win on opening days, new signings Callum Wilson and Jeff Hendrick sealed a thoroughly deserved victory at West Ham that vindicated all the pre-season fuss surrounding Steve Bruce’s side. The heartache from yet another failed takeover is now a distant memory, and the hope harnessed by a spending spree that looks to have blossomed into the kind of reality Newcastle fans until previously dared dream of.

How can we forget Crystal Palace? Wilfred Zaha netted the 50th league goal of his career as the Eagles overcame Southampton, but you wonder how many more will he score in the blue and red of his boyhood club. Roy Hodgsons men secured a vital a 1-0 win at Selhurst Park

Attention turned to Monday night’s games with Sheffield United facing off with Wolverhampton, in the end, it was the visitors who ran away with 3 points, Raul Jimenez marking his 100th appearance for Wolverhampton Wanderers with a goal in their 2-0 win against the blades. On Sunday news came out that Wolves renewed Coach Nuno Espirito Santo contract till 2023 which is good news to many of their fans. 

On the other hand, Kai Havertz, the big signing of Chelsea made his premier league debut alongside Timo Werner as Chelsea began their premier league season with a 3-1 away win against Brighton. That win marks a successful start for Frank Lampard’s new-look side – while Brighton will feel like they deserved something from the encounter. Week 1 could be dubbed as a perfect advert of what is still to coming, football filled with attacking-play and goals galore. My prediction is that this will be the tightest season will ever witness in Premier League history, teams have strengths and it seems unlikely that one team will run away with the title as we saw in the past two seasons with Liverpool and Man City. 

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