Arsenal win ‘cheeky’ encounter as Man City look alive for five.

By Esosa Osa

After almost three months, the Premier League returned to the delight of fans across the globe. Football fans were served the Euros, Copa America and the Olympics during the football season break, but there is nothing like the Premier League as it just tastes different. This season, I will bring you a creative review of every matchday in the Premier League. Enjoy!

This season kicked off with a Friday Night encounter at the Theatre of Dreams between Manchester United and Fulham. The visitors started brightly as Adama Traoré terrified the United backline in transitions, and Emile Smith Rowe ran the middle of the park with some degree of precision. The home side settled into the game and created great chances, all missed by Bruno Fernandes who had no one to blame but the man in the mirror.

After the interval, both teams had a decent share of possession but United looked far more dangerous. Mason Mount was superbly denied by Bernd Leno as the host continued to draw closer to an opener. Erik Ten Hag’s men survived a few scares and in the 87th minute new signing, Joshua Zirkzee broke the walls with a subtle finish to seal the win.

Saturday’s action began at Portman Road where newly promoted Ipswich Town battled with Liverpool. Kieran McKenna’s side started fearlessly, trying to hurt Liverpool on the counter and created a few chances, the best being a header by Jacob Greaves. Albeit, a few reckless tackles they appeared solid at the back. Liverpool came out of the break with more intensity and intent and in the 60th minute, it paid off. A delightful through ball by Alexander-Arnold was well taken by Mo Salah, who set up Jota to slot home the first goal of Arne Slot’s reign. Five minutes later Mo Salah became the top scorer in PL opening days with nine goals, earning his new boss his first victory.

Over at North London, it was a slow start for the Gunners but they easily got accustomed to things. Bukayo Saka lifted the Emirates by delivering a perfect cross, well dispatched by Kai Havertz. It made Saka, alongside Mo Salah the only two players with 30+ goals and 20+ assists since the start of the 2022/2023 season.

Wolves came out with renewed confidence in the second half, kept a solid defensive shape and forced a couple of saves from David Raya. Although, Yerson Mosquera was lucky to remain on the pitch after appearing to choke Havertz. It was all forgotten when a fierce near-post finish by Saka clinched the victory and a Man of the Match performance. Towards the end of the 90th minute,Yerson Mosquera was again the centre of attention after grabbing Gabriel Jesus’ butt cheeks. It flared up the Brazilian and earned him a booking. Arsenal are contenders for the title and will continue their search at Villa Park on Saturday.

Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth settled for a stalemate with goals from Chris Wood and Antoine Semenyo, after a mishap by Forest’s defence. Fabian Hürzeler got off to a great start as Brighton boss with a 3-0 tutoring of Everton. Mitoma, Welbeck and Adingra were the goals scorers. And just maybe, the Chelsea board are keeping an eye on Hürzeler.

Southampton returned to PL action with a trip to St. James’ Park and despite a man advantage early on after Fabian Schär was sent off for head-butting Ben Brereton Díaz, the Magpies came out on top thanks to a first-half goal by Joelinton. Last season’s surprise package, Aston Villa faced off with West Ham to close out Saturday’s fixtures. But the result was no surprise as Unai Emery ruined Julen Lopetegui’s introduction party with a 2-1 triumph. Amadou Onana set things in motion, heading home from a corner kick. Lucas Paquetá equalised with a perfect penalty but Jhon Duran who many thought would be a West Ham player by now, served the hammer blow.

Super Sunday saw Brentford square up with Crystal Palace. Unsurprisingly, Palace started the better of the sides. The early pressure almost paid off when Eberechi Eze’s outrageous free-kick hit the back of the net. Unfortunately for Palace’s talisman, it did not count as Samuel Barrott called for a foul by Will Hughes. Just after, Bryan Mbuemo opened the scoring. Palace managed to equalise via Ethan Pinnock’s own goal but in the 78th minute, Yoane Wissa stung the Eagle.

With a squad big enough to form a state, new Chelsea coach, Enzo Maresca began his first PL season against friend and former boss, Pep Guardiola. In the 18th minute, Erling Haaland, also known as Mr. ‘Who else?’ opened the scoring with a calm and controlled finish. City went on to threaten the Chelsea backline but after the 30th-minute mark, Maresca ball began to flow. A couple of chances and a Nicolas Jackson goal disallowed for offside provided a glimpse of good things to come. Both teams controlled sections of the second half but Romeo Lavia was bossing the midfield and causing City problems. His performance could serve as a course for Press Resistance.

Jackson was in the mix of things again after missing a massive chance to level things. Soon after, Mateo Kovacic handled the ball in his box but the verdict was no penalty. Minutes later the former Blue breezed past the Chelsea midfield to claim the win. Chelsea fans should be encouraged by the early signs and return of Fofana, Nkunku and Lavia who all missed the majority of last season through injury.

This matchday closed at King Power Stadium on Monday night where Leicester returned after a one-year absence. They took on Tottenham with Dominic Solanke leading the line. The visitors dominated proceedings with a flurry of chances mostly resulting from corners. Rodrigo Bentancur came close to an opener but was denied by a goal-line clearance from Wilfred Ndidi. Minutes later new acquisition, Solanke directed his header straight at Mads Hermansen but the North London side found a breakthrough from a lovely James Maddison cross turned in brilliantly by Pedro Porro.

Spurs were good on and off the ball, putting in a good outing but a magical spell in the second half led to the Foxes’ equaliser and it just had to be Jamie Vardy who headed home Fatawu’s cross. A brilliant team move almost handed Vardy a brace but Vicario said NO. A last-minute miss by Richarlison left despair on Ange Postecoglou’s face as the points were shared. This Premier League is back!