After what seemed like ages, the English Premier League is back. Football is once again available on our screens week-in, week-out. After a summer filled with transfers and friendlies, it’s time for the clubs to put on a show where it matters. How did the clubs fare on the opening day? Here’s the rundown of the winners and losers of the Premier League opening week.
Jose Mourinho sends Premier League message
Of course, it’s early days, but Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho can well be satisfied with the way his side played against West Ham on the Reds’ opening fixture to the campaign. The 20-time English champions ran riot against the opposite number, beating West Ham comprehensively with a 4-0 win.
Sure, it’s just West Ham, but these were the kinds of clubs Mourinho’s men have had difficulty last season. Draws against the likes of Burnley and Southampton were the norm, and finally clinching a solid 4-0 win against a mid-table side is a sure-fire way to send the rest of your rivals a message.
Antonio Conte suffers second-season-syndrome
After an outstanding first season where his side has won the Premier League on the first attempt, Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is understandably deemed to be the best tactician in the competition right now. The London giants are considered heavy favourites to win the title come May next year and as such were understandably projected to brush aside lowly Burnley in their opening fixture. That, of course, as we now know, did not happen.
The underdogs steeled themselves and fought valiantly against Chelsea’s stellar squad, besting the Blues 3-2 at Stamford Bridge. Stupid mistakes from both Gary Cahill and Cesc Fabregas, which got them both sent off, depleting Chelsea to nine men, was the catalyst that sent Sean Dyche’s charges to victory. No amount of tactics could’ve saved Conte in this situation.
It is worth noting that the last four managers who won the Premier League before Conte have been fired in their second season. A harbinger of Conte’s future fate, perhaps?
Wayne Rooney’s Dream Homecoming
Much has been said about Wayne Rooney in recent months, some of them highly negative. Many have speculated that the English international is now past his prime at the age of 31. And yet, it appears the polarizing striker has silenced his critics at least for the time being after scoring the winner in Everton’s gritty 1-0 win against a highly-compact Stoke City side.
The England captain scored a beautiful goal for his boyhood club in his competitive debut since arriving from Manchester United in style, hitting the back of the net just minutes before the half-time whistle. Toffees fans will certainly hope there is more to come from their returning prodigal son.
Premier League newcomers signal their arrival
While many have touted them as favourites to be relegated back to the Championship come the end of the campaign, Huddersfield Town have given those critics something to think about after thumping Crystal Palace 3-0 away in their opening fixture.
New signing from Montpellier Steve Mounie had a fantastic debut for his new employers as he scored twice to propel his side to victory. It appears that after just one appearance, the Benin international has gained himself newfound fans.
Scroll down below for the full rundown of the scores of Matchweek 1.
Arsenal 4-3 Leicester
Watford 3-3 Liverpool
Chelsea 2-3 Burnley
Crystal Palace 0-3 Huddersfield
Everton 1-0 Stoke
Southampton 0-0 Swansea
West Brom 1-0 Bournemouth
Brighton 0-2 Manchester City
Newcastle 0-2 Tottenham
Manchester United 4-0 West Ham