There were shocks a plenty on the opening-weekend of the 2017/2018 Premier League season, as The Champions were shocked at home to Burnley and newly promoted Huddersfield Town ran-riot at Selhurst Park.
Gunners Edge Foxes In Thriller
The first Premier League clash of the new season saw Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal entertain Craig Shakespeare’s Leicester City at The Emirates Stadium, and it was to be an absolute classic.
£75 million man Alexandre Lacazette was making his League debut in North London and bagged his first Gunners’ goal after just three minutes, converting a Mohamed Elneny cross. However, the visitors soon drew level through Shinji Okazaki, who capitalized on some shambolic defending from the home side.
Cult Hero Jamie Vardy soon put the 2015/2016 Premier League Champions ahead, but the hosts levelled through Danny Welbeck on the stroke of half-time. The second-half would bring yet more poor defending from Arsenal and another goal from Premier League record breaker Vardy, but the home side hit back with an Aaron Ramsey equaliser on 82 minutes.
There would be late fireworks at The Emirates, as French striker Olivier Giroud scored a dramatic winner to ease the pressure on Wenger. Next up for The Gunners is a trip to The Bet 365 Stadium, whereas Leicester will face off with Premier League newcomers Brighton at The King Power Stadium.
Watford Hold Reds In Early Kick-Off
Watford stood stern to hold-off Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool in another high-scoring fixture from the opening weekend. It seemed to many Football fans that the art of defending had been somewhat lost in Friday night’s opener and the trend would continue with a six-goal thriller at Vicarage Road.
The home side took the lead through Stefano Okaka, but the quality of the visitors showed when Sadio Mane finished off a fantastic move the 30-minute mark. However, The Reds would be level for all of two minutes, after Abdoulaye Doucoure preyed on some more awful defending from Klopp’s back four.
New signing Mo Salah was giving the hosts plenty to think about and his pace fooled Heurelho Gomes into bringing the Egyptian down in the area, with Roberto Firmino converting the subsequent penalty. However, Liverpool weren’t finished there and it would soon be their turn to strike twice in quick succession. The evergreen Firmino was played in Dejan Lovren, with his looping cross finding the boot of Salah and then the Watford net.
The Reds looked to be cruising to an expected victory in Hertfordshire, but there would be one last twist in the tale. Brazilian youngster Richarlison’s effort from a late corner cannoned off the bar and fell to Miguel Angel Britos to tap in for a point and raise the roof on Vicarage Road.
There was a suggestion of offside in the goal, but it stood and Jurgen Klopp’s men got their bid for a first Premier League Title started with a draw.
Huddersfield Town Stun De Boer’s Palace
Premier League newbies Huddersfield put in a magnificent display at Selhurst Park to condemn Frank De Boer to defeat in his first League game as Eagle’s boss.
David Wagner’s men were on a high, after their play-off victory over Reading and struck twice in the first-half and once in the second. The goals came from Joel Ward, who put through his own net for Palace, and a double for summer signing Steve Mounie. The victory puts The Terriers in dream land as they sit second place in The Premier League, but raises alarm bells in South-London.
Rooney Returns To Deal Stoke A Killer Blow
Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney was on-hand to score Everton’s winner in his second-debut at Goodison Park, as The Toffees edged out The Potters on Merseyside.
Ronald Koeman handed Premier League debuts to the likes of Sandro Ramirez and Davy Klaassen, who impressed but there was only one man making the headlines on Match-Day One. Rooney, who returned to his boyhood club from Old Trafford this summer, rose highest from a Dominic Calvert-Lewin delivery to head past Jack Butland for a special moment in front of the home fans.
The victory sees Everton into the top-eight, whereas Mark Hughes’s men hover above the Relegation-Zone after Game-Week One.
Baggies Edge Out Cherries For Opening Win
Tony Pulis got his West Bromwich Albion side off to a winning start in their 2017/2018 campaign thanks to a goal from new boy Ahmed Hegazy against Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon.
The only goal of the game came in the first-half, as Chris Brunt’s swerving free-kick found Hegazy at the back post to head home and give his side an opening day three points in The Midlands sunshine.
The Cherries have been tipped for relegation this term in their third season in the top flight and have not started well. Whereas, West Brom, who narrowly missed out on Europa League last time out, have got their campaign off to a perfect start.
Clement And Pellegrino Share The Spoils On The South Coast
Mauricio Pellegrino endured a dull 0-0 draw in his first taste of The Premier League on Saturday, as his side picked up a point against Paul Clement’s Swansea City.
The match was the only encounter of the opening weekend to not see a goal and was a drab affair from the off. The hosts had the pick of the few chances, going close from Manolo Gabbiadini, Nathan Redmond, and Dusan Tadic, but could not find the breakthrough at St Mary’s.
The Swans will go in search of their first goal of the season when they face Manchester United at home next Saturday, whereas The Saints will host West Ham United on the same day.
Burnley Stun Sloppy Champions
Sean Dyche’s Burnley overcame nine man Chelsea to record a historic win at Stamford Bridge, leaving Antonio Conte red faced on a hot Saturday afternoon in London.
There had been negative murmurs from the Chelsea camp all summer and this came to the boil on the pitch early on, as captain Gary Cahill was given his marching orders for a rash challenge on 14 minutes.
Things were about to go from bad to worse for the hosts as The Clarets struck three times before half-time, through a Sam Vokes brace and Stephen Ward stunner.
The Stamford Bridge faithful soon turned on their side, who needed a quick reaction in the second period, and they got it. £60 million summer signing Alvaro Morata pulled one back for the hosts with 20 minutes remaining.
However, The Blues were dealt a killer blow when they were reduced to nine men, as Cesc Fabregas picked up a second yellow card. Brazilian defender David Luiz picked up a late lifeline for the home-side, but the goal proved to be little more than a constellation and Chelsea were condemned to a shock opening defeat.
The Clarets left West London on cloud-nine after proving to the Football world that they could be top half contenders this season, but for Antonio Conte’s men, there is yet more worry as a daunting trip to Wembley awaits next Sunday.
Slick City Too Strong For Premier League New Boys
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City spoiled the party at The Amex Stadium by beating Brighton & Hove Albion 0-2 in their first ever Premier League game.
The Citizens never gave their opponents a sniff at goal, constantly bombarding The Seagulls with waves of attack. The City pressure finally gave on 70 minutes when Sergio Aguero struck from inside the box, and the lead was doubled just five minutes later by a Lewis Dunk own goal to seal the deal.
The victory put The Sky Blues in the driving seat ahead of their Monday Night Football clash with Everton next week, but for Brighton, relegation alarm bells are already ringing on the South Coast.
Shelvey Off In Spurs Victory
Newcastle United skipper Jonjo Shelvey was dismissed for a stamp on Dele Alli in the most controversial moment of the Premier League weekend, as Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham sailed to victory at St James’ Park.
The game’s decisive moment came just three minutes after the break, as Shelvey lashed out with an aggressive stamp on Alli in plain sight of referee Andre Marriner, who showed no hesitation in pulling out his red card. The incident would prove costly for Rafa Benitez’s men on their Premier League return, with goals from Dele Alli and Ben Davies sealing the three points for the visitors.
The Magpies will make the trip to face fellow new boys Huddersfield Town without their skipper next on Saturday and Spurs will begin their first season at Wembley with a huge clash against Chelsea on match day two.
Lukaku Double Downs Hammers
£75 million man Romelu Lukaku opened his Manchester United account with an impressive brace against our helpless defence in a 4-0 United romp on Sky Sports Super Sunday.
Jose Mourinho’s men were in rampant form to demolish our barriers and claim their fourth win against us in the space of a year. Lukaku’s 10th and 11th goals against us in a mere 13 games came either side of half-time, with substitute Anthony Martial and Paul Pogba firing past Joe Hart to add to our misery late on.
The embarrassing defeat leaves us rooted to the foot of The Premier League Table, with The Red Devils climbing to the very summit. The question is for many Football fans can they stay there for the whole season? Whereas, many Hammers will be pondering whether or not we will see a repeat of last-season, despite our visibly better recruitment.
So, with a weird and wonderful opening weekend of Premier League action quenching the thirst of Football fans all over the world, what will game week two bring? As the Football season finally gets into full swing.