THE English Premier League is the most watched sports competition in the world. Whether it’s the best is open to conjecture but many Malaysian football fans will have tuned in last night for the opening round of fixtures.
Here’s what went down:
Burnley 0 vs Manchester City 3
The season kicked off with a Friday night (UK) kick off with the reigning champions taking on Vincent Kompany’s Burnley.
Initial suggestions of fatigue were blown aside with an emphatic win for the treble winners with Erling Haaland continuing where he left off last season, grabbing a brace to sink newly promoted Burnley. The signs look ominous as Manchester City set about becoming the first ever side to win four titles on the trot.
Arsenal 2 v Nottingham Forest 1
The Gooners survive a late scare to get their campaign off to a winning start. Two high quality strikes from Eddie Nketiah and Bukayo Saka confirm their growing stature and Arsenal can weather the absence of Gabriel Jesus upfront.
The addition of Kai Havertz and Declan Rice, the latter for a British record transfer fee, underline the Londoners ambitions. Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, showed enough to suggest they will not be mired in another relegation scrap.
Everton 0 v Fulham 1
The lack of firepower was the Toffees’ main issue last season. It was all too evident again here on the opening day as the blue half of Merseyside looked blunt and bereft of ideas upfront.
Former Everton manager Marco Silvia will have enjoyed pulling one over his ex-employers again. But it doesn’t take much to get three points from Goodison Park these days. Just convert one chance and watch the blues squander theirs.
Newcastle 5 v Aston Villa 1
The Villans have serious pretensions of breaking into the top six given their impressive surge up the table last season uder Unai Emery’s astute coaching. However, this mauling puts that into perspective as the Magpies underline their new found top four credentials.
Fast and efficient in attack, Eddie Howe’s side were ruthless in dispatching Aston Villa, with players hungry to show they do, indeed, belong in the top echolons. It will be interesting to see how they fare in Europe’s top flight competition, which they have qualified for the first time in two decades.
Bournemouth 1 v West Ham 1
Hard fought and equal share of the spoils. Both sides will have wanted to avoid defeat on the opening day for very different reasons.
Bournemouth will want to appease supporters who were shocked at the brutal removal of manager Gary O’Neil after guiding them to safety last season and the board will have wanted to avoid fan protests bubbling to the surface early in the season.
The Hammers will want to avoid a hangover following their Conference League success last season whilst the departure of talisman Declan Rice has fuelled fear of an impending relegation battle. Manager David Moyes uncertain future has also rocked the boat and West Ham board will be glad of a solitary point rather than none against a side it would be expected to beat.
Sheffield United 0 v Crystal Palace 1
Bigger clubs are circling over some of Palace’s leading talents such as Eberechi Eze but if Roy Hodgson can convince them to stay whilst continuing to grind out results such as this, European contention remains a distinct possibility for the Eagles this season.
The Blades will need to realise that games against midtable and lower-half teams will be crucial in ensuring survival. A slim opening day home defeat, whilst not disastrous, will have underlined the size of their task.
Brighton & Hove Albion 4 v Luton Town 1
The Seagulls made light of their recent departures with the soon-to-leave Moises Caicedo was left out of the squad. No matter, in stepped veteran James Milner who played his part in keeping the midfield ticking over as Brighton made short work of the Premiership newcomers.
Luton were exposed late on as the clock ticked on beyond the 90 minute mark as authorities have instructed officials to add on minutes for time wasting, meaning many more games are expected to reach the 100 minute mark. – Aug 13, 2023
Main photo credit: Newsport Nigeria
