Here’s what happened in the Premier League this weekend, in case you missed it…
READ ALL ABOUT IT
• Friday: Giroud comes off bench to win it late for Arsenal
• Saturday: Burnley stuns Chelsea, Rooney comes home, and more
• Sunday: Alli off the mark for Spurs, Lukaku bags brace for Man United
WATCH MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
Watford 3, Liverpool 3 || Chelsea 2, Burnley 3 || Everton 1, Stoke City 0 || Huddersfield Town 3, Crystal Palace 0 || West Bromwich Albion 1, Bournemouth 0 || Southampton 0, Swansea City 0 || Manchester City 2, Brighton & Hove Albion 0 || Newcastle United 0, Tottenham 2 || Manchester United 4, West Ham United 0
WHAT STOOD OUT
Man United makes a statement
The opening weekend was rife with compelling narratives (Huddersfield’s win), stunning upsets (Burnley over Chelsea), fabulous debuts (Alexandre Lacazette for Arsenal) feel-good stories (Wayne Rooney’s return to Everton) and sensational goals (Sadio Mane’s strike for Liverpool).
At the end of the first matchday, though, it was Manchester United who rightly dominated the discussion following their thorough trashing of West Ham United at Old Trafford. This one of the best performances for the Reds under Jose Mourinho, featuring sensational debuts by Romelu Lukaku and Nemanja Matic, and a thunderous goal from Paul Pogba.
United was ruthless on the day, dispatching a West Ham side that significantly bolstered its roster in the off-season, with relative ease. Too often last term, Mourinho’s side was too slow in the buildup, their attacking play lacking urgency. With Zlatan Ibrahimovic replaced by Lukaku, United’s attack now boasts greater pace and mobility, while Matic’s commanding presence in midfield should give Pogba more opportunities to make use of his creative licence.
It’s early days yet, so we can’t read too much into this win, or Chelsea’s shocking home defeat to Burnley. Man United did, however, deliver a not-so-subtle nudge to Chelsea with Sunday’s victory, reminding them they’ll have their work cut out if they want to repeat as champions.
Some strange results in the opening week
Craig Forrest and James Sharman talk about the first week of Premier League action, and how some unexpected results might foreshadow issues for certain teams.
BEST GOAL
Liverpool forward Sadio Mane touches the ball four times en route to scoring a sensational equalizer against Watford.
BEST MOMENT
It was a 2-0 loss to Manchester City, but Brighton & Hove Albion’s return to the English topflight after 34 years was pretty special.
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BEST QUOTE
“I am not worried. I am ready to fight with these players.” – Antonio Conte, Chelsea manager
BEST MATCH
There were a few candidates on what was a wild opening week of the season. But the nod has to go to Arsenal’s come-from-behind win against Leicester City, a game that featured many twists and turns in the plot, and Olivier Giroud coming off the bench to rescue the Gunners.
BEST TWEET
CRISIS CLUB OF THE WEEK
Craig Forrest, Dany Dichio and James Sharman talk about the disappointing start to Chelsea’s Premier League season and how Antonio Conte’s vocal opinions might cost him down the road.
THE GAME WITHIN THE GAME
Romelu Lukaku garnered the headlines with his two goals in Manchester United’s win over West Ham United. But Nemanja Matic was equally brilliant in his debut for the Red Devils with his solid play in midfield that helped provide the platform for Lukaku.
Nemanja Matić's game by numbers vs. West Ham:
100% take-ons completed
86% pass accuracy
7 take-ons
4 aerial duels won
2 blocks— Squawka Football (@Squawka) August 13, 2017
THE BIG QUESTION
Every week, Sportsnet’s soccer panel will debate The Big Question. Have your say by voting in the poll below:
SIX PACK OF STATS
• Since he signed for Arsenal in June 2012, Olivier Giroud has scored more headed Premier League goals (26) than any other player.
• Mohamed Salah is the 12th different player to score on his Premier League debut for Liverpool.
• Chelsea’s Jeremie Boga is the 200th French player to make an appearance in the Premier League.
• Wayne Rooney has now been involved in 300 Premier League goals (199 goals, 101 assists). Only Alan Shearer has been involved in more (324).
• Sergio Aguero’s has scored against 30 of the 31 different clubs that he’s faced in the Premier League.
• Since the start of the 2015-16 season, Christian Eriksen has assisted more Premier League goals (29) than any other player.
Stats courtesy of Opta
THREE STARS
1) Romelu Lukaku, Manchester United: The Belgian became only the fourth player to bag a brace in his Premier League debut for the Red Devils.
2) Sam Vokes, Burnley: A memorable performance from the Welshman at Stamford Bridge that included a pair of goals in Burnley’s upset win.
3) Alexandre Lacazette, Arsenal: It took the Frenchman all of two minutes to score in his first Premier League match, and was brilliant in leading the Gunners’ attack.
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