'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Two more of Europe's heralded leagues kicked off this weekend, as the Serie A and the La Liga commenced. Coupled with the Premier League and Ligue 1's arrival as well, just the Bundesliga is yet to begin among the top five leagues.
Cristiano Ronaldo's Juventus debut was the big news in Italy as the defending champions eked out a narrow win. Napoli won against Lazio, as Inter succumbed to a shock defeat.
In Spain, both Barcelona and Real Madrid began their campaigns with routine victories, and Atletico Madrid and Valencia round off the action on Monday.
The Premier League saw comfortable wins for Manchester City and Tottenham, as Chelsea prevailed 3-2 against Arsenal in a thrilling London derby. A woeful Manchester United side lost at Brighton while Liverpool face Crystal Palace on Monday.
PSG won again, as Kylian Mbappe sparked their win. Promoted Nimes won again(!) as a couple of upsets occurred in Ligue 1.
#5 Real Betis 0-3 Levante
Real Betis finished sixth last season in the La Liga to gain passage to the Europa league while playing an entertaining brand of football. Levante, on the other hand, finished a lowly 15th and much was not expected of them.
Surely if a Catalan side were to impress in the opening week, it would have to be Barcelona. But Levante were terrific, arguably bettering Barca's performance in a 3-0 win of their own.
Paco Lopez's conventional 4-4-2 formation worked wonders, as they cruised to an impressive win. Roger Marti opened the scoring in the first half, but it was his strike partner Jose Luis Morales who had the major say on the game.
He scored a wonderful individual goal just after half-time and capped off a memorable performance with a goal in stoppage time.
Real Betis will need to get their act together quickly if they are to build on last season. However, the win will do Levante a world of good as they begin their second successive season in the top flight.
#4 Manchester City 6-1 Huddersfield Town
Truth be told, everyone expected Pep Guardiola's side to batter Huddersfield but that does not make the Cityzens' performance any less impressive.
During the week, influential midfielder Kevin De Bruyne suffered a knee injury in training which will keep him out of action for the better part of three months. Many felt that his absence will be felt keenly and that may yet turn out to be true, but the Belgian was not missed on Sunday.
The magical David Silva ran proceedings in an emotional game for him personally, but it was Sergio Aguero who stole the show, netting his 13th hat-trick for City. Silva scored a sumptuous free kick, Gabriel Jesus opened his account and the rout was rounded off with an own goal from Terence Kongolo.
Benjamin Mendy was a constant threat down the left side, as a 3-5-2 formation pushed him further up the pitch. The fact that City conjured up such a performance without De Bruyne, Leroy Sane, Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling speaks volumes about the depth of the side. Ominous signs for the rest of the league.
#3 Sassuolo 1-0 Inter Milan
After a successful transfer window, Inter established themselves as one of the favourites to end Juventus' monopoly in the Serie A. Sassuolo, on the other hand, are one of the mid-table sides, who finished 11th last season.
But the tables turned on Sunday, as the home side clinched a surprise 1-0 victory. Sassuolo started brightly, threatening Samir Handanovic's goal from the off. They took the lead in the 27th minute as Domenico Berardi slotted home a penalty.
After the goal, Inter predictably dominated the possession, but a staunch Sassuolo defence resisted the onslaught. Near the end, chances came for both the sides but neither converted, and Sassuolo clung on for the three points.
Inter will surely attempt to rush back Radja Nainggolan to fitness as he will do them a world of good. Luciano Spaletti can't afford showings like this if Inter is to mount a legitimate title challenge.
#2 Nimes 3-1 Marseille
Nimes have been promoted to the league this season but their performances are portraying them as something else. They have won their opening two games, and by virtue of two equally impressive showings.
Last week they snatched a dramatic comeback win against Angers, scoring three times in the last fifteen minutes. This time they faced tougher opposition in the form of Marseille, who finished fourth last season and reached the Europa League final.
Marseille fielded a strong eleven, which included French stars Dimitri Payet and Florian Thauvin. But it was Nimes who took the lead, as Denis Bouanga scored the first home goal in Ligue 1 for Nimes in 25 years.
Thauvin equalised after the interval, a goal which was arguably against the run of play. But Nimes hit back, as Sada Thiuob rounded off a swift counter. Renaud Ripart sealed the win four minutes from time in front of an adulating crowd.
The team with the lowest budget are now level on points with the wealthiest team PSG. Football's a funny game, ain't it?
#1 Brighton & Hove Albion 3-2 Manchester United
Manchester United traveled to Brighton on Sunday, hoping to build on their opening day win against Leicester City. Brighton had a woeful performance against Watford a week ago, failing to record a single shot on target.
But buoyed on by the home fans, Brighton took the game to United and were duly rewarded. Glen Murray gave them the lead with a delightful flicked finish. Shane Duffy pounced on a loose ball after two minutes and the Amex Stadium was in raptures.
United got one back through Lukaku and gave themselves hope going into half-time. Soon after the interval, Eric Bailly capped off a game to forget by conceding a cheap penalty. Pascal Gross converted, and Brighton had daylight.
Paul Pogba's inconsequential penalty in the last minute was not enough to cover a listless performance from Jose Mourinho's men. But take nothing away from the hosts, whose energy rattled United.
The likes of Dale Stephens, Murray, and Solly March worked their socks off to make their home opener a memorable afternoon.
