Matchday 1 Results
Fulham vs Arsenal 0-3
Crystal Palace vs Southampton 1-0
Liverpool vs Leeds 4-3
West Ham vs Newcastle 0-2
West Brom vs Leicester 0-3
Tottenham vs Everton 0-1
Sheffield United vs Wolves 0-2
Brighton vs Chelsea 1-3
Matchday 1 Grades:
FULHAM 4/10
It was a poor performance and the goals were very avoidable. They only had maybe one or two chances to score and failed to take them. I don’t think this alone spells a crisis but it’s certainly not the right way to get the season up and running.
ARSENAL 8/10
A very good performance from Arsenal. The goals were created by Willian and one scored by Gabriel Maghales were perfect debuts for the Brazilians. Aubameyang and Lacazette scored as well and the fans will be happy with that. While this is nothing to get overexcited about, especially with a few nervy moments at the back, this is a good win for Arsenal and a perfect statement for Arteta’s Gunners to make.
CRYSTAL PALACE 7.5/10
This was a good win for Palace but they could have conceded a few if not for Guaita. Zaha got the goal and I bet Palace fans are happy he’s playing and performing. He could have had a hattrick! Manchester United up next and Palace will want back-to-back wins at Old Trafford.
SOUTHAMPTON 5/10
Perhaps they were rattled by the red card being overruled but they did not manage to break Palace down. The chances they created, admittedly, were good enough to warrant goals but Guaita did well to deny them. An out-of-sorts Spurs to come to St Mary’s and Southampton should fancy their chances.
LIVERPOOL 7/10
Fine, they scored four goals but they could have lost or even drawn the game. They should be far more focused on their defensive horror-show as Leeds gave them trouble all night. Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold were culpable for the first two goals and the third was a lack of concentration from the whole side. They have a big challenge with Chelsea and this will determine where the current side are at for both teams.
LEEDS UNITED 6/10
Unlucky not to get a point at least. They deserved something from the game. Phillips was exceptional, as were Harrison and Ayling but the young centre-backs made errors and cost Leeds the points. This is a promising start but they need to get points on the board and a massive six-pointer against Fulham could get them three.
WEST HAM 3/10
Woeful performance. They looked sloppy and unfocused and maybe that’s due to the lack of backing from the board as West Ham have not signed anyone so far. They need players to reinforce the squad or they will be in the same position as they were last season – struggling.
NEWCASTLE 8.5/10
Credit to Steve Bruce, he got his players in and was backed by the board for the summer. Wilson and Hendrick scored on their debuts and they were good finishes and got Newcastle the three points. Carroll was sensational as well, if he can keep fit, he will cause so many problems for back lines. A great start to the campaign.
WEST BROM 3/10
Defensively all over the place and two penalties in one game is really poor. They registered one shot on target and that will never keep them up. A resurgent Everton side to come and I don’t expect much from this game.
LEICESTER CITY 9/10
They played well and created a lot of chances. The debut header from Castagne was brilliant and a great cross from Praet. The penalties were correct and expertly hit by Vardy. They have sorted themselves out after that drop in form last season and at home to Burnley next, I think they can get back-to-back wins.
TOTTENHAM 4/10
Shockingly poor fitness. They did not press well enough and were defensively weak as they got caught out a lot by Everton and could have lost even more embarassingly. They will need to bounce back because the Saints can cause problems and would be a massive gap to recover from should things go against them.
EVERTON 8/10
A big win and a big statement. Everton made three signings and started all three as they dominated the midfield and countered exceptionally with Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison. Rodriguez impressed but a brilliant cross from Digne and an excellent header from Calvert-Lewin won the game for Everton. One criticism would be that they need to put their chances away because a sharper side would make them pay for the misses.
SHEFFIELD UNITED 4/10
They barely created any chances and the goals they conceded were poor defending. Ramsdale keeps this from dipping because his debut was fantastic and kept the Blades afloat. They will want to bounce back and their strikers need to turn up against Aston Villa.
WOLVES 8/10
Two magnificent finishes and Wolves are back and look devastating. They have solved any issues they may have had with Doherty departing and then some. They did the double against City last season but with City up next and I’m not sure who to predict for the win here.
BRIGHTON 6/10
They fought valiantly and gave Chelsea a lot of problems. Trossard’s goal was well worked and a decent enough strike (albeit should never have gone in). Lamptey and Bissouma ran the show at times but they conceded via two defensive errors and a wonder-goal so should not be disheartened by it. It will be tough to play Newcastle at home but I think they will offer a fight.
CHELSEA 8/10
We would have seen this Chelsea side deflate after the equaliser last season but fought back and sealed the win. Werner looked sharp and Kante did very well too. Havertz was playing out of position so I will give him the benefit of the doubt for this game and see what he can do in the next few. Kepa still looks like a concern and I would be worried if I was Lampard if he plays against Liverpool next weekend.
TEAM OF THE MATCHDAY: LEICESTER CITY
