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After three months away, the Premier League is finally back. We’ve had a thrilling World Cup in Russia, and an enthralling end to the transfer window, but now the big league is back underway.
The league started at Old Trafford on Friday night, where Manchester United beat Leicester City 2-1, with Paul Pogba scoring the first goal of the new season from the penalty spot.
On Saturday, Tottenham, despite making no summer signings, began the season with a 2-1 win away at Newcastle. It was a tough start for two of the promoted sides, with Cardiff and Fulham beaten by Bournemouth and Crystal Palace respectively. Wolves were the only promoted side to pick up a point, as they drew 1-1 with ten-man Everton at Molineux.
Chelsea began their time under Maurizio Sarri with a 3-0 win at Huddersfield, while Watford got their season underway with a victory over Brighton.
On Sunday, the two title favourites got their season off and running. Liverpool tore apart West Ham at Anfield, winning 4-0, while Manchester City produced an excellent display to beat Arsenal 2-0 at the Emirates.
Here are three men who had a good weekend, and three men who didn't have the greatest start to the season.
Hot- Maurizio Sarri (Chelsea)
Given that he was appointed as Chelsea’s new manager with less than a month until the season got underway, many believed Maurizio Sarri would struggle to put his stamp on Chelsea before the Premier League began.
A disappointing performance in the Community Shield with Manchester City cemented that belief. However, the Blues were impressive in their opening day win at Huddersfield, so maybe they are adapting to Sarri’s philosophies.
Chelsea’s performance at the John Smith’s Stadium perhaps wasn’t classic ‘Sarri-ball’, but it was a much better showing than at Wembley a week ago. The front three pressed high up the pitch, and there were some phases of play where Chelsea resembled Sarri’s Napoli side.
The Italian will still want more. Huddersfield weren’t the strongest opponents they’ll face, and he still has players who need to get back up to match sharpness following the World Cup.
Not- Ricardo Pereira (Leicester City)
It’s never easy making your Premier League debut, and it was no different for Leicester City’s new signing on Friday night against Manchester United. There were high hopes for the fullback after he completed his £25 million move from Porto this summer, and people were looking forward to seeing how he would deal with the transition to English football.
It was tough from the very first whistle for the Portuguese defender, and he was often under pressure up against Alexis Sanchez. He was also caught out for the second goal, as he was too far tucked in, and allowed Luke Shaw too much space on the outside to take a touch and score. He will hope that things get a little easier for him before long.
Hot- Ruben Neves (Wolves)
It shouldn’t be a surprise that Ruben Neves is capable of doing the business in the Premier League. He was the youngest captain in Champions League history at Porto and was seen as one of the brightest prospects in Europe before his shock move to Wolves last summer for a fee of around £15 million.
He lit up the Championship as well and was one of the top players in the division as Wolves returned to the Premier League after six years away.
He showcased all his talents again Everton on the opening day and reminded everyone why he is seen as one of the top young players in Europe.
He netted a superb free-kick just before halftime, before providing an inch-perfect cross for Raul Jimenez to equalise late on. He will certainly hope this is the start of another excellent season.
Not- Jack Wilshere (West Ham)
It was a strange sight this weekend seeing Jack Wilshere in a West Ham shirt. Obviously, he has spent time away from Arsenal before in career, on loan at Bolton and Bournemouth, but this is his first spell permanently away from the Emirates. It was a tough game for the whole West Ham side in all fairness against Liverpool, as they were hammered 4-0.
Wilshere looked lost in midfield at Anfield, as he was overrun by a fit and powerful Liverpool midfield. He prides himself on his ability to pass the ball, and get forward to create chances.
There was none of that on Sunday, and he failed to have an impact in attacking areas. Things will get easier for him as he gets used to playing alongside his new teammates. But by the looks of things, there is a lot of work to do.
Hot- Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)
If there’s anyone who gets a disproportionate amount of criticism in the English press, it’s Raheem Sterling. Every aspect of his life both on and off the field is under constant scrutiny, and he has been on the end of some really harsh coverage in the last couple of years.
Much of it is totally unjust, given that he had a terrific season with Manchester City last year, scoring a career-best 18 goals.
He got off to an excellent start to the season on Sunday, putting in an excellent performance against Arsenal. He caused Hector Bellerin constant problems down the Gunners’ left and went past him on a number of occasions.
He scored a superb first goal to put them ahead, his 50thin the Premier League, and played a part in setting up the second for Bernardo Silva. He will hope for a season similarly successful to his last one.
Not- Unai Emery (Arsenal)
Nobody expected it to be an easy transition for Arsenal as Arsene Wenger was replaced by Unai Emery at the helm. Things were made even tougher when the fixture list produced a nightmare pair of opening fixtures- champions Manchester City at home, and Chelsea away.
In his first match in charge of the Gunners, he was shown just how great a task he has at hand, as he saw his side brushed aside by Man City,
It would have been a massive surprise if his side had been as good as City, but the fact that they were outclassed in such a fashion should be a worry for him. His side struggled to keep possession, consistently lost the ball in dangerous areas, and particularly in the first half, struggled to create chances.
As the transfer window ended before the season got underway, Emery is stuck with this group of players, so will hope he can find a way to make them better in the coming weeks.
