So it’s Monday evening and the dust may have seemed to settle but legend has it that some United fans are still watching the 20th re-run of Saturday’s early kick-off and who would blame them? The opening weekend did not disappoint, not even a bit. No single goalless game, no single draw. We had hat-tricks, players scoring on their debut’s and the odd loss. So let’s see what happened.
Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Manchester City.
The last game of the weekend. The one everyone was waiting for and man did it entertain. The scoreline may paint a different picture but all the tactical battles all over the pitch were a sight to marvel at for any football fanatic.
I think it may be safe to say that many of us saw this coming. For one Tottenham always seem to beat City at home and also it’s the first game of the season, anything is possible. The first 10-15 minutes however had us fooled. City came out right out of the blocks and they were throwing everything they had at the Spurs defense but Nuno’s men stood strong. Very soon the spaces began to open up and the Spurs counters began coming slowly. Son however looked out of it was back passing or spending too much time on the ball to the delight of Pep’s men. It’s almost like as soon as his telepath Harry Kane was missing he was too. City seemed to abuse Son’s mindlessness and kept leaving glaring gaps at the back without creating anything concrete at the front.
This however would come to haunt them in the early stages of the second half when Bergwijn, after having the ball flicked into his path by Lucas Moura, set Son up for the most Son goal you’ll ever see. All this is due to the space left by the blues and the inability of a certain 100M signing to defend a transition. From then on, it was dreamland for Nuno Espirito Santos. All they had to do was defend and man did they defend. But with Mendy on the pitch, it really did feel like 12 v 10. Though Spurs has wasted a chance to go 2-0 up they managed to take advantage of City’s slow forward play and defend their 1 goal lead. The last 10 minutes of this game truly felt like prime Barclays with ferocious tackles going in and the crowd duly reacting. In the end, Spurs were able to inflict Pep’s first opening day loss. Even with 350M on the bench, there was nothing the supposed genius could do.
As for Spurs a great day, with 3 points in their pocket and Sterling and Grealish in Tanganga’s.
For the more cultured app users my greatest picks from Twitter😂
Manchester United 5-1 Leeds United;
I actually feel like such a mong after the underwhelming preview I did for this game with regards to Manchester United. After I saw the starting line ups of course I had my weekly Dan James moans but I was generally happy.
United began the season most unexpectedly, by announcing their new decorated center back in front of 75,000 fans. That basically just set the mood for everything because United looked in the mood from the first minute. With their star signing Sancho on the bench together with the infamous Anthony Martial, United had many options. Leeds had a few snips of attack here and there but the game was basically United attack after attack. It wasn’t surprising therefore when Bruno opened his and United’s account in the 30th minute. United held it down until halftime but they looked very much in the mod.
The second half started somewhat evenly. That is until Luke Ayling, under no pressure whatsoever, belted in Leeds United’s equalizer which sent the traveling away fans into chaos on the far side. Their smug chants were short-lived because just over three minutes later Paul Pogba weighted a pass to Greenwood so perfectly and he hit it off the post and into the net which sent the Old Trafford faithful into a rapturous roar. This event all but opened the flood gates because literally two minutes Bruno Fernandes put the ball past the line, only just, to cop his second goal and enable Pogba to complete his hattrick of assists. In the 60th minute, Bruno thrashed it in, off a fantastic Lindelof assist, to complete his own hattrick. With the points in the bag, Pogba gave his fourth assist to Fred of all people to make it 5 at the Stretford end.
I remember in my preview I said I could only hope for a similar result to that of the 6-2 and my wish was granted. So after the Varane announcement, Hattricks for both Bruno and Pogba, Sancho debut, and putting 5 past Leeds scum, United sit pretty at the top of the table after an all but perfect home win.
For Leeds however, this was a very open-leged display at Old Trafford for the second time. I remember the commentator saying that such a loss at the beginning of the season can have extremely detrimental effects on a team compared to the same loss any other time of the season. I hope for Leeds’ sake that, it is not the case.
Brentford 2-0 Arsenal.
I was about to begin this with saying that this is the most surprising result of the game week but is anyone truly surprised? On seeing the starting line ups I wasn’t feeling so confident for Arsenal to be honest, but ah in White we trust? Not.
A very bland performance. From start to finish. Of course, it didn’t help that they were away to a newly promoted side in a packed stadium but they looked timid and lacked inspiration. Brentford on the other hand were very positive very attacking. We were all sold the Ivan Toney dream but for this particular game it was his supporting striker, Bryan Mbuemo that was causing all sorts of problems to Ben White and co.
In the 22nd minute, Sergi Canos made their good performance tangible with a great shot. Now Arsenal were in real trouble cause even their goal-scoring duo of Aubameyang and Lacazette was out due to illness. Not to mention the buzzing Brentford crowd. It was looking like an impossible mountain to climb.
Salt was added to injury when they conceded a goal to a throw-in. Chris Norgaard converted a chance from chaos in the box and this put Brentford fully in the driving seat. They managed to see it through despite the introduction of Arsenal starboy Saka.
Brentford, a club waiting for 74 years to be part of the premier league, winning against one of the most decorated club on the opening day in front of their fans. It was written in the stars.
Chelsea 3-0 Crystal Palace:
With both managers managing their respective clubs for the first time on opening day, it was looking like being a cagy affair.
Well no.
Chelsea got going from the first minute and looked like scoring with every single attack. Viera’s men however were struggling to get past the halfway and this can be credited to the likes of Rudiger’s contribution. Their opening goal came from a very likely source, The highest scoring defender in the past five years. A pinpoint free-kick for 1-0
The attack continued, Werner still missing chances, yeah yeah. Soon it was already 2-0 through Christian Pulisic and practically game over. I don’t remember a single good chance created by Crystal Palace, granted I was still revving from the day’s earlier events.
The highlight of the game for me came when premier league debutant Trevor Chalobah scored an absolute beauty from outside the box. The 22-year-old proceeded to fall to his knees and was soon surrounded by his teammates. At the time I didn’t understand why but I connected the dots later:
As for Patrick Viera, I didn’t see a specific style of play among his men so I can’t really comment on that but it was a very disappointing show from the eagles. Early days though.
Norwich City vs Liverpool:
This one was a better showing from Norwich compared to that of Crystal Palace however it was still not enough.
At the beginning of the game, Norwich were cooking especially on Tsimikas’ flank. Their new signing Milo Rashica was causing all sorts of problems and it looked like they were riding on the crowd’s adrenaline but soon reality set in and Liverpool got going. They made their dominance tangible through Diogo Jota assisted by Mo Salah who was playing number nine.
As in the Chelsea game, after the reds went 1-0 up it was one-way traffic. Although Norwich has some spells of good attacking play we all knew it was over when Bobby Firmino came on and Salah reverted to his right-wing position. Less than 5 minutes later the latter assisted the former and their lead was doubled.
Only two things are a surety in this life, Death and Mo Salah scoring on opening day. He did that in fantastic fashion when he put away the first big chance he had to end the game.
As much as they won and they kept a clean sheet Liverpool fans better watch out for that Tsimikas guy cause in my eyes he didn’t have a confident game at all. As for Norwich losing to Liverpool isn’t the worst thing in the world. However, they really do have to shape up if they’re to stay up.
Newcastle United 2-4 West Ham United:
Possibly the most entertaining game of the weekend? Like the United of Manchester, Newcastle United kicked off the season by announcing their new signing. Joe Willock. St. James park was bouncing from the get-go and they got what they wanted when Allan Saint Maximin absolutely cooked Rice and sent a pinpoint cross into the box which Wilson couldn’t miss. 1-0 then. It was now a very open-ended game which each team’s attack exploited and soon enough the scores were equal and honestly at sitasema cause I don’t even know whose goal it truly was. But this now suddenly became very watchable because it was so end to end. Newcastle ended the half just how they began it, by scoring a goal. Jacob Murphy guiding the ball into the net with his head for 2-0.
The second half began just how it ended. End to end. It was no surprise then when Benrahma equalized after Antonio invited him with a perfect ball in. West Ham got a penalty when Murphy impeded Fornals. Antonio failed to convert but Soucek blasted it in from the rebound. The game for finely poised to enter the last 25 minutes but Antonio made the points absolute when he completed what was a beautiful counterattack. West ham are picking up where they left off last season. Rice also notably had a good game but for Newcastle, they may have to dip back in the market for defensive reinforcements.
WEEKEND ROUND-UP.
A lot happened this weekend and it was practically impossible to watch all the matches. But here is what I make of the rest of the matches.
Southampton blew a 1-0 lead when Everton raced into a 3-1 lead through Richarlison, Doucoure’and DCL. With Manchester United their next fixture and the loss of their established center back they really need to fix up.
Leicester got their routine 1-0 win through Jamie Vardy and sentenced Bruno Lage to an opening day loss in his first match in charge of Wolves.
Another surprise loss is Villa’s loss to Watford who stormed into a 3-0 lead very early. Their defensive frailties, however, began to show but it was too late. 3-2 to Watford the final score. Debut goal for fantasy favorite Danny Ings😏
I don’t know what to make of Brighton’s win over Burnley but here’s an interesting stat; Maupay scored on his birthday 😃
Anyway, I was very excited for this weekend and it lived up to expectations. I hope this post has lived up to expectations as well. For those who support my content (both blog and podcast), I really appreciate it🥰
Speaking of the podcast we’re dropping a new episode tonight with a guest. Make sure you don’t miss it. If you like my content please share it with your friends. Have a good week and see you in the next post.
Best,
Karen Gacheri.
