Manchester United is off to a cracking start to its 2021-22 Premier League campaign.
The Red Devils opened the season at home versus Leeds on Saturday morning and cruised to an emphatic 5-1 victory thanks to a hat trick from Portuguese star Bruno Fernandes and four assists from France’s Paul Pogba.
Pogba became the first player in United history to accomplish the feat in a Premier League game and has already amassed more assists than in his previous two seasons.
Fernandes led United in Premier League goals last season with 18, finishing third in the league behind Harry Kane and Mohamed Salah. The other United goals came courtesy of Mason Greenwood and Fred.
United took a 1-0 lead into the half, only to see Leeds draw even with a goal from defender Luke Ayling in the 48th minute. But then a United onslaught of four goals in 16 minutes ensued.
Jadon Sancho, who arrived at United on a $100 million transfer from Borussia Dortmund this summer, made his debut in red as a substitution in the 75th minute.
@Sanchooo10 has arrived #MUFC | #MUNLEE pic.twitter.com/XadfZEwi6R
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 14, 2021
United finished second in the Premier League last season behind rivals Manchester City and have not won the title since 2012-13.
Chelsea (3) vs. Crystal Palace (0)
The Champions League winners began their Premier League campaign with a convincing 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace at home.
Marcos Alonso found the scoresheet first after he curled a free kick into the back of the net in the first half. Minutes later, American forward Christian Pulisic jumped on a rebound in front of Crystal Palace goalkeeper Vincente Guaita and made no mistake to make it 2-0. In the second half, 22-year-old Trevoh Chalobah scored in his first senior appearance for Chelsea, making it 3-0.
Chelsea plays Arsenal, while Crystal Palace plays Brentford in Premier League action next week.
Liverpool (3) vs. Norwich City (0)
Liverpool began the Premier League season with a comfortable 3-0 victory away at Norwich.
Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah stole the show, scoring the third goal and assisting on both the others.
Mo Salah is the first player in Premier League history to score in the opening match in five straight seasons pic.twitter.com/0C7oNthIv8
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 14, 2021
Diogo Jota opened the scoring after a Trent Alexander-Arnold cross deflected off Salah’s foot and onto a platter for the Portuguese striker to put home. Roberto Firmino, who came on as a substitute for Jota in the 61st minute, scored to make it 3-0 and secure the victory for the Reds when Salah found him wide-open in the box just moments after coming on.
Liverpool plays Burnley and Norwich plays Manchester City in Premier League action next week.
Leicester City (1) vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. (0)
Leicester City won its first game of the Premier League season thanks to a quality finish from talisman Jamie Vardy late in the first half at home.
Wolverhampton, playing its first Premier League match under manager Bruno Lage after Nuno Espírito Santo left for Tottenham this off-season, mustered three shots on target and 17 shot attempts, but failed to beat Foxes ‘keeper Kasper Schmeichel.
Leicester City takes on West Ham United and Wolves play Tottenham in Premier League action next week.
Everton (3) vs. Southampton (1)
Everton kicked off its 2021-22 Premier League campaign with a 3-1 victory over Southampton at Goodison Park, despite being without five players due to COVID-19 protocols – including playmaking midfielder James Rodriguez.
Southampton striker Adam Armstrong opened the scoring, and the Saints kept the 1-0 lead heading into the second half, but Everton answered with three unanswered goals courtesy of Richarlison, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Dominic Calvert-Lewin to earn three points.
Everton plays Leeds United and Southampton plays Manchester United in Premier League action next week.
Watford (3) vs. Aston Villa (2)
Newly promoted Watford defeated Aston Villa 3-2, with goals from Dennis Bonaventure, Ismaila Sarr and Cucho Hernandez to open the 2021-22 Premier League season.
Aston Villa fell down 3-0 in the match but scored twice later in the second half with the goals coming from John McGinn and Danny Ings.
Watford plays Brighton & Hove Albion, while Aston Villa plays Newcastle United in Premier League action next week.
Brighton & Hove Albion (2) vs. Burnley (1)
Brighton & Hove Albion began the Premier League season defeating Burnley 2-1 on the road at Turf Moor.
Burnley struck first with a James Tarkowski goal two minutes into the match, but second-half goals from Neal Maupay and substitute Alexis Mac Allister helped Brighton secure the three points.
Brighton plays Watford and Burnley plays Liverpool in Premier League action next week.
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