The Premier League is back and here is our comprehensive preview of the opening weekend including our 3 biggest talking points.
Bright Premier League start for Man United
Manchester United started their campaign promisingly, securing a hard-fought win against Fulham. The three points provide a solid foundation for the team to build upon.
Erik ten Hag’s debutants made a positive impact. Noussair Mazraoui started strong at right-back, while Matthijs de Ligt contributed to the clean sheet off the bench. Joshua Zirkzee scored the decisive winner in the 87th minute with a clever finish.
The new signings offered a glimpse of what they can bring to the team, providing a solid base to build upon. Their performances will give ten Hag optimism for the season ahead.
City can win without Rodri
Manchester City’s away win at Chelsea marked a significant breakthrough. Prior to this, City had lost their last four Premier League away games without Rodri. However, Mateo Kovacic’s impressive performance as a Rodri alternative suggests this weakness may be addressed.
Kovacic scored the decisive goal in the 84th minute and acknowledged filling Rodri’s role. “We are always missing Rodri, one of the best players in the world,” he said.
This win, despite facing a struggling Chelsea side, is a cause for concern for City’s rivals. Pep Guardiola’s ability to find solutions after eight years and six Premier League titles is a testament to his enduring success.
Maresca’s chaotic Chelsea remain a puzzle
The chaos at Stamford Bridge continues. Fans chanted for Conor Gallagher, Raheem Sterling called for clarity on his future, and Chelsea’s £280m midfield trio was outshone by Mateo Kovacic, sold by Chelsea for £25m.
Enzo Maresca faces the daunting task of instilling stability and a playing style amidst this turmoil. His debut fixture against Manchester City, gunning for five titles, was a tough start.
Despite the challenges, Maresca found positives. Chelsea had more shots than City, higher expected goals, and Pedro Neto showed promise. However, the constant distractions threaten to overshadow these glimmers of hope.
Chelsea will struggle massively