2023/24 Premier League Roundup: Gameweek 1
- Linus O'Howell
- Aug 15, 2023
- 10 min read
Updated: Aug 21, 2023
Newcastle 5-1 Aston Villa
Newcastle United got off to the perfect start in the Premier League as they smashed Aston Villa 5-1! It only took Newcastle 6 minutes to take the lead and their goal came from debut man Sandro Tonali! Anthony Gordon put in a great ball and Tonali finished well to start his Newcastle career off with a bang. 5 minutes later, though, and it was 1-1 as Moussa Diaby scored on his debut with a really nice finish. 5 minutes later and it was 2-1 to Newcastle as Alexander Isak got his first goal of the season after a brilliant assist from Sven Botman. In the second half, Ezri Konsa made a complete mess of it at the back and this allowed Alexander Isak to get his second goal of the day. Take nothing away from the finish as it was superb, but the defending by Konsa was absolutely shocking. Matty Cash then had a golden opportunity to get Villa back into the game, but he smashed the ball over the bar from about 8 yards out before Callum Wilson scored in the 77th minute to secure victory for the Magpies. However, Newcastle weren’t done there as Harvey Barnes got a debut goal in the 91st minute to the delight of the home fans at St. James’ Park. Overall, this was a statement performance and victory from Newcastle United. The Magpies end the opening weekend of the season at the top of the table and they play away to Manchester City in their next game. As for Aston Villa, they certainly weren’t expecting this. Villa find themselves bottom of the table after 1 game and they host Everton next time out.
Brighton 4-1 Luton
Luton Town’s first-ever Premier League game didn’t go to plan as they were thrashed away from home by Brighton and Hove Albion. Brighton took the lead after 36 minutes through a nice-headed goal by Solly March. Danny Welbeck then came close to doubling Brighton’s lead, but his scuffed effort could only hit the post. In the second half, Pascal Gross hit the post from a freekick before Brighton were awarded a penalty after Tom Lockyer brought down Joao Pedro. Personally, I think Pedro went down way too easily. However, that doesn’t matter and what does matter is Joao Pedro stepped up and converted from 12 yards to get a goal on his debut. Luton Keeper Thomas Kaminski will be slightly disappointed that he wasn’t able to keep it out. Luton were then awarded a penalty after the ball struck the hand of Lewis Dunk and Carlton Morris stepped up and scored to get Luton right back into the game. However, it didn’t last long as Simon Adingra restored Brighton’s two-goal lead. This was a complete and utter mess from Luton Town’s point of view, I honestly have no idea what they were doing (especially Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu). Evan Ferguson then got his name on the scoresheet in the 95th minute to ruin my Prediction! Overall, Brighton will be delighted to have started the season in such a positive fashion. The Seagulls are currently 2nd in the league and they play away to Wolves next weekend. As for Luton Town, they need to use this game as a learning curve to try and improve for the future. The Hatters are inside the relegation zone after the first weekend of the season (18th) and their next game is away to Chelsea in a week and a half’s time.
Brentford 2-2 Tottenham
Ange Postecoglou’s reign as Tottenham Hotspur manager kicked off with a two-all draw against London rivals Brentford. Tottenham took the lead after 11 minutes through a Cristian Romero header. Romero’s header was good, but the cross from James Maddison proves why he’s a superb signing. Brentford were then awarded a penalty after Mathias Jensen was tripped by Tottenham’s new Captain Heung-Min Son. This was the correct decision in my opinion. Bryan Mbeumo stepped up and scored to level the game up at 1 apiece. In the 36th minute, Brentford were in front through Yoane Wissa. Rico Henry did superbly well out on the left, but the same could not be said for Micky van de Ven who stuck out a leg that actually took the ball away from his Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario. In the 4th minute of additional time at the end of the first half, Emerson Royal struck beautifully to put Spurs back on level terms. Bryan Mbeumo then had a golden opportunity from about 6 yards out, but his scuffed effort went disappointingly over the bar. Both Richarlison and Kevin Schade had decent chances in the second half, but neither man was able to take them and the game finished all square at 2-2. In the end, this is a decent start to the season for Brentford, but they’ll definitely be wanting to get a victory soon. The Bees are currently 8th in the table and they play away to London rivals Fulham next time out. As for Tottenham Hotspur, they can take positives from this result and performance. Spurs are in 9th place at the end of Gameweek 1 and they host Manchester United in a big game next time out.
Burnley 0-3 Manchester City
The Premier League Champions Manchester City got off to a perfect start by comfortably beating Championship Champions Burnley at Turf Moor. Manchester City took the lead inside 4 minutes as Erling Haaland scored with his first touch of the Premier League Season. That’s what you call a perfect start for last year’s Golden Boot Winner. In the 36th minute, it was two-nil to Man City as Erling Haaland had his second of the evening. This was a World Class finish from Haaland, especially considering the fact he never even looked at the goal. Lyle Foster had a couple of half chances in the first half, but he couldn’t truly test Ederson like he was aiming for and in the 75th minute, Rodri wrapped up all three points for Manchester City with his first goal of the campaign. Things then got even worse for Burnley as Anass Zaroury received a straight red card for a high challenge on Kyle Walker. In the end, this was a rude awakening for Burnley Football Club. The Clarets find themselves inside the relegation zone at the end of the opening weekend of the season (19th) and their next competitive game is at home to Aston Villa in just under two weeks time. As for Manchester City, I don’t think they could’ve asked for much more out of this one. City sit 3rd in the table and they play Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday before they host Newcastle in their first home game of the season on Saturday Night.
Arsenal 2-1 Nottingham Forest
“Hopeful Title Challengers” Arsenal started their Premier League campaign with a victory at home to Nottingham Forest. Nottingham Forest had a great chance to take the lead after 10 minutes, but Brennan Johnson blasted the ball over the bar. Johnson should’ve scored and really had to score. In the 26th minute, Arsenal were in front through Eddie Nketiah. Goalkeeper Matt Turner was unlucky to be beaten by the deflected strike. 6 minutes later and Arsenal were two in front through a Bukayo Saka thunderbolt. Saka struck this ball so well, but it has to be said that the sloppy bit of play from Morgan Gibbs-White in the build-up to the goal was absolutely terrible. In the second half, Matt Turner pulled off a great stop to tip Declan Rice’s deflected effort onto the post and behind for a corner. From that corner, Notts Forest counter-attacked brilliantly and after a burst of pace from Anthony Elanga, Taiwo Awoniyi finished the move off to get Forest back into the game. However, they weren’t able to create another clear-cut opportunity. In the end, Arsenal will be happy with the victory, but they’ll be looking/aiming for some better performances going forward. The Gunners end the first weekend of the season in 4th and they play away to London rivals Crystal Palace on next week’s Monday Night Football. As for Nottingham Forest, they can take a lot of positives from this game. Forest are currently 14th in the table and they host Sheffield United in their first home game of the season this Friday.
Chelsea 1-1 Liverpool
Both Chelsea and Liverpool started their seasons by once again drawing against one another. Mohamed Salah hit the crossbar for Liverpool out of nothing really, even though it should be said that Cody Gakpo’s pass to him was terrible. In the 18th minute, Mo Salah played a lovely through ball which Luis Diaz finished off to put Liverpool in front. Mo Salah then thought he’d gotten onto the scoresheet, but his goal ended up being ruled out for offside (which was the correct decision). From out of nowhere, in the 37th minute, Chelsea were level as Axel Disasi had a goal on his debut. The defending by Liverpool was absolutely horrendous! Two minutes later and Stamford Bridge erupted as Ben Chilwell put the ball into the back of the net. However, this goal was also ruled out for offside and Chilwell will be kicking himself because he didn’t need to go as early as he did. In the second half, Liverpool were asking for a penalty after the ball struck the hand of Nicolas Jackson. This was a tight call, but in my opinion, the fact that the referee didn’t award a penalty means this was the right call. Ben Chilwell then had a good opportunity for Chelsea, but his poor first touch made it easier for Alisson to make the save. In the end, it’s a decent start for Chelsea under Mauricio Pochettino. The Blues find themselves in 11th place and their next game is away to London rivals West Ham. As for Liverpool, they’ll have mixed emotions regarding this game. The Reds end Gameweek 1 12th in the table and they host Bournemouth next time out.
Bournemouth 1-1 West Ham
Andoni Iraola started his life as AFC Bournemouth manager with a point at home to West Ham United. Tomas Soucek came close to putting West Ham in front in the first half, but his effort took a slight deflection and hit the post. Early in the second half, David Brooks forced a save out of Alphonse Areola before Jarrod Bowen fired West Ham in front with a superb strike. Joe Rothwell then smashed the bar for Bournemouth before, in the 82nd minute, the ball deflected nicely into the path of Dominic Solanke who finished well to level the game up for the hosts. After a bit of a mess from both teams, Lucas Paqueta’s strike smashed the post and went behind for a goal kick to the relief of the home crowd. Overall, Bournemouth will be satisfied with a point on opening day. The Cherries currently sit in 10th place and they play away to Liverpool next time out. As for West Ham, this was a decent way to start the season for them. The Hammers end the weekend 13th in the table and they host London rivals Chelsea in their next match.
Manchester United 1-0 Wolves
Manchester United just about started their season with a victory at home to an impressive Wolverhampton Wanderers. Both Pablo Sarabia and Matheus Cunha had decent chances for Wolves in the first half, but both of their efforts were dragged just wide of the post. Early in the second half, Wolves had a golden opportunity to take the lead, but Cuhna could (somehow) only hit the post from about 2 yards out. Matheus Cunha was then on another one of his runs as he forced a save out of Andre Onana before another one of his runs ended up with Pedro Neto smashing the ball straight at United’s new Goalkeeper. In the 76th minute, Manchester United made Wolves pay as they took the lead through Raphael Varane. I’m not really sure what Jose Sa was doing if I’m being honest. Fabio Silva then had a few half chances that were all saved by Onana before in the 95th minute, Andre Onana completely whipped out Sasa Kalajdzic yet somehow, the referee didn’t award a penalty. It then got even more ridiculous as VAR looked at it and said there wasn’t “a clear and obvious error”. VAR and even the referees for that matter couldn’t even survive the first weekend of the season without looking like clowns! In the end, Manchester United were very lucky to win this game. However, United did get the win and they sit 7th in the table as a result, knowing they play away to Tottenham this weekend. As for Wolverhampton Wanderers, they’ll be really encouraged with their performance, but they’ll also be really annoyed to have not won this game, let alone lose it. Wolves find themselves in 17th place and they host Brighton next time out.
Everton 0-1 Fulham
Fulham started their season with a positive victory away to a frustrated Everton. Neal Maupay came close to putting Everton 1-0 up early on, but Abdoulaye Doucoure really should’ve put Everton in front. To be fair to Bernd Leno, it was a good save. Maupay then had a great chance to score, but he guided his effort straight at Leno before Michael Keane put the ball into the back of the net after the Fulham Keeper dropped the ball. I have to say, I think Leno and Fulham got away with one here. In the second half, Raul Jimenez came close to a debut goal, but his effort could only hit the post. Alex Iwobi’s effort was then parried out by Bernd Leno, but somehow, Nathan Patterson managed to smash his effort from about 7 yards out onto the crossbar! In the 73rd minute, Bobby Reid punished Everton by putting the ball into the back of the net to give Fulham the lead. Iwobi then had another good chance, but he couldn’t take it James Tarkowski’s headed effort went just wide of the post. In the end, Everton will be really disappointed to have lost this game. The Toffees sit 15th in the league and their first away game of the season is against Aston Villa on Sunday. As for Fulham, this was a good win for them all things considered. The Cottagers find themselves in 6th place after the first weekend of the season and they host London rivals Brentford next time out.
Sheffield United 0-1 Crystal Palace
Sheffield United’s return to the Premier League didn’t go as planned as they lost 1-0 at home to Crystal Palace. John Egan pulled out a great block to stop Eberechi Eze from putting Crystal Palace 1-0 in front in the first half before Odsonne Edouard got on the end of Jordan Ayew’s cross to put the visitors in front 4 minutes into the second half. Edouard then had another good chance, but he could only guide his headed effort into the hands of Wesley Foderingham. Roy Hodgson was then getting into an argument with United’s Max Lowe because he felt like it before Foderingham pulled out a good save to deny Jeffrey Schlupp. William Osula then had Sheffield United’s best chance of the game, but he could only guide the ball into the side-netting before Wesley Foderingham pulled out a World-Class save to deny Joachim Andersen from doubling Palace’s lead. In the end, this wasn’t really the way Sheffield United were aiming to start their Premier League campaign. The Blades sit 16th in the table and their next game is away to Nottingham Forest. As for Crystal Palace, they can be happy with a victory here. The Eagles find themselves in 5th place and they host London rivals Arsenal next time out.
Premier League Table at the End of Gameweek 1
Newcastle: 3pts
Brighton: 3pts
Manchester City: 3pts
Arsenal: 3pts
Crystal Palace: 3pts
Fulham: 3pts
Manchester United: 3pts
Brentford: 1pt
Tottenham: 1pt
Bournemouth: 1pt
Chelsea: 1pt
Liverpool: 1pt
West Ham: 1pt
Nottingham Forest: 0pts
Everton: 0pts
Sheffield United: 0pts
Wolves: 0pts
Luton: 0pts
Burnley: 0pts
Aston Villa: 0pts
Comentarios