Premier League Roundup Report - Game Week 1

The Premier League is back, how we have missed it. It didn’t serve up any real shocks, but had all the goals, drama and controversy we’ve all come to expect, and that makes it the best league in the world. Here is a roundup from all the Premier League action, including reports on every fixture as well as the key takeaways from Game Week 1 as a whole.

Stand out performers

Team of the week: Newcastle

It looks like Newcastle have picked up right where they left off last season. They continue to make smart under the radar signings that are improving them piece by piece; Tonali being their one big name exception who has started like a house on fire. They impressively blitzed a highly regarded Aston Villa side one to start their campaign and look like they’ll be right up there in the top 4 battle once again.

Player of the week: Erling Haaland

It’s only one week in and it feels like we’re already running out of superlatives for Haaland, he’s simply a goal scoring machine. He only had 9 touches of the ball in the first half against Burnley, but already had 2 goals. He is ridiculously clinical and who knows how many goals he could end up with this season. The scariest thing is he still feels like he could get a lot better. If he can get himself more involved in play and act as a pacy-target man, he could break all kinds of records.

Goal of the week: Bukayo Saka

There were a few candidates for this, including Jared Bowen’s similar strike from a bit closer to goal, and Saka’s first goal thanks to the outrageous skill in the build up from Martinelli. Liverpool’s team goal finished by Diaz was also a contender. But the top spot goes to Sara’s second, when he curled the ball deliciously into the top corner from range, in what proved to be the decisive goal in Arsenal’s win.

Talking point of the week: Referees

New season, same old Referees. There were a few dubious decisions this weekend, such as the potential handball by Jackson in the Chelsea v Liverpool game from a Luis Diaz header which wasn’t given. But the worst by far was the foul by Onana in the Man Utd v Wolves fixture. With a ball whipped into the box from deep, he rushed out and clattered into two Wolves players, completely missing the ball in the process. The referees at the time, including those on VAR judged this not to be a foul and handed Man Utd a very fortunate 1-0 win. The PGMOL led by Howard Webb have already issued a statement declaring this was the wrong decision, and the referees involved won’t be in action next weekend. It’s the same old story as last season though, despite all of the promises of greater refereeing transparency. Until the PGMOL start releasing audio for their mistakes as well as the obvious and easy decisions that they get right, nothing will change and their will continue to be no accountability for poor refereeing.

Premier league Roundup - Match Reports: Week 1

Burnley v Man City

0-3

The champions kicked off their campaign as expected, with a relatively comfortable 3-0 win. And it took only 3 minutes for Haaland to bag his first goal, following it up later in the half with an instinctive one touch strike that gave the keeper no chance. Burnley did offer some threat of their own, but their was a clear difference in how clinical these sides were with their chances, giving Burnley’s players some harsh lessons on their step up to the top flight. They showed enough though to give Vincent Kompany plenty of positives, and City’s future opponents encouragement that City can be got at.

Sheffield Utd v Crystal Palace

0-1

Édouard scored the only goal of the game between these two sides who you’d expect will be competing at the lower half of the table this season. Eze was a stand out, as he continued to show his technical ability with some mazy runs, and the goal was a well worked move by palace, with the ball crossed in from out wide for Édouard to tap home. Tough start for Sheffield United who will have a lot of work to do to stay up this year, Foderingham did make a heroic save late on for them though. He could be a valuable asset in their relegation battle.

Bournemouth v West Ham

1-1

A close fought draw but this fixture could have ended up having multiple goal of the season contenders if the goalposts were a few inches wider. Jared Bowen did manage a wonder goal, a strike from the edge of the box, curled into the top left corner. But Brooks almost did even better with a volley which hit the post. The woodwork was hit two more times, one a long range strike from Brothwell, the other by Paqueta late on. Dom Solanke levelled the scoring when he rounded the keeper to slot home. Bournemouth are another side who may be in for a relegation scrap this year so this was a good result for them. It may be too early to judge West Ham, with them being close to making a few new key additions to their side which could make all the difference.

Arsenal v Nottingham Forest

2-1

Martinelli and Saka are an incredible duo. They will be crucial to Arsenal’s title hopes this season and firing them towards the top, especially with the lack of an elite goalscoring striker. Their are also still question marks at the other end. Ramsdale has done well at Arsenal but he’s a level below world class, as evidenced by Arteta bringing in Raya as competition. Forest did very well to stay up last year after so many changes to their squad. Elanga looks like he will be a great addition, his spectacular solo run setting up their goal, which proved to only be a consolation.

Everton v Fulham

0-1

Everton’s wasteful finishing proved costly as they succumbed to a 1-0 defeat to Fulham, one of the surprise success stories of last season. Doucouré, Maupey and Patterson all had glorious chances to score but failed to put the ball in the back of the net. Unlike Decordova-Reid who managed to convert a simple finish at the back post against the run of play. Its been a long running problem for Everton who are still far too reliant on Calvert-Lewin, and it’s a problem which if they don’t resolve, could lead to them getting relegated to the championship this year. As for Fulham, they continue to be a good side, who could be pushing for a top 8 finish this season.

Brighton v Luton

4-1

A one sided rout. Roberto De Zerbi’s side are a joy to watch, full of energy, dynamism and look like they haven’t missed a beat despite their high-profile recent sales. Gems like Mitoma, who produced an electric bit of skill in the build up to Brighton’s penalty, will continue to propel Brighton up the table and no side will look forward to facing them. Luton are probably favourites to go straight back down this season, but time will tell how much of a fight they can make of it.

Newcastle v Aston Villa

5-1

The most impressive performance of the week came from Newcastle United, who made light work of Aston Villa. A Villa side which under Emery, have been tipped by many to challenge for the top 6 and will be one to watch for sure after making some impressive signings. It was the Toon’s signing of Tonali which most caught the eye though, bagging himself a debut goal and looking at home already. The champions league could create a big distraction, and it remains to be seen if Newcastle have the squad depth to compete on multiple fronts, but it’s going to be a fun ride for their fans for sure.

Brentford v Tottenham

2-2

Life post-Harry Kane didn’t get off to the best start for new spurs boss Ange Postecoglou as they drew 2-2 with Brentford. They looked strong from set pieces, grabbing their first goal from a free kick and new signing James Maddison is sure to help Son Heung-Min lead the line. Defensively though they look very fragile, with some poor goalkeeping on display and a total calamity at the back leading to one of Brentford’s goals. It’s hard to gauge where both of these sides may end up this year, but its likely they will both fall somewhere in the middle of the pack.

Chelsea v Liverpool

1-1

What happens when 2 attacking sides with no defensive midfielder between them face off? Well you get a very entertaining game. Liverpool started strong, dominating the first 30 minutes, opening the scoreline with a Diaz goal from a sublime Salah pass. But after Chelsea grabbed a rather fortuitous goal back from a set piece, they grow in confidence and dominated the rest of the game. Out running Liverpool and repeatedly doubling up on Andy Robertson, exploiting the large gaps left in Liverpool’s defence. Chelsea have since plugged their gap with the signing of Caicedo and imminent arrival of Lavia. Liverpool on the other hand, still have some recruiting to do, but their are signs of a refreshed and improved team for Klopp to work with, in his attempts to get LFC back into the title challenge.

Manchester Utd v Wolves

1-0

This game was largely overshadowed by the awful refereeing mistake late on. New goalkeeper Onana clattering in to the Wolves players, nowhere near the ball, and somehow getting away with it. It was fitting of the match, as Man Utd got ripped apart at times. Matheus Cunha seemed to have the freedom of the park as he ran effortlessly through the middle of the field with little opposition. The balance of the United team wasn’t right at all, and Ten Hag is going to need to find a way to get the most out of his squad, maybe bringing in some more additions before the window shuts.