The Premier League soap opera recommenced amidst controversy and late drama as 20 goals were scored over 6 exciting fixtures. Champions Chelsea had Thibaut Courtois sent off in a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge, while Manchester United narrowed past Tottenham Hotspur thanks to Kyle Walker’s own goal. Leicester City, a team which quite spectacularly survived the drop last season, absolutely walloped Sunderland in a 4-2 win at home.
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A rejuvenated Manchester United secured an unconvincing win over Tottenham at Old Trafford, as new signings Sergio Romero, Matteo Darmian, Memphis Depay, Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schwensteiger made their official debuts in Manchester United colours. Managing only one shot on target throughout the entirety of the match, Louis van Gaal’s men got lucky when Kyle Walker, quite unfortunately poked the ball past Michel Vorm while trying to sneak up to Wayne Rooney, who was clear on goal.
Amidst speculation that David De Gea is on his way to Real Madrid, Sergio Romero was deployed by van Gaal between the poles and the Argentine pulled off a string of crucial saves during the fag end of the game to maintain his side’s lead. Schneiderlin was the pick of the five debutants as the Frenchman was brisk and confident about his play. Matteo Darmian is definitely a welcome addition to Red Devils’ squad as the former-Torino man put in a solid display as right-back. Harry Kane showed signs of promise but was let down by the lack of support around him. Despite the loss, Mauricio Pochettino will be pleased with the overall performance of his team, having shown signs of creativity as the new signings are gelling well in the team.
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Premier League new boys Watford exceeded expectations against Everton and the Hornets were unlucky to win 3 points in an exhilarating encounter at Goodison Park. Miguel Layun fired in a powerful half-volley in the first-half to give his side the lead at half-time. It was only after Ross Barkley’s ferocious outside-the-box equaliser that Everton regained their lost momentum, after a tepid opening 45 minutes. Odion Ighalo gave the visitors the lead once again in the 82nd minute, before Arouna Kone who scored only his second goal for the club, rescued Everton with a cool finish 5 minutes from stoppage time.
AFC Bournemouth, making their Premier League debut were left to rue their missed chances after Rudy Gestede’s header ensured Aston Villa won all 3 points at the league’s smallest stadium. Claudio Ranieri’s tenure as Leicester manager got off to an explosive start as the Foxes thrashed Sunderland, scoring 3 goals in a span of 8 minutes.
Norwich were undone by a controversial decision of high boot against Crystal Palace, as the Eagles soared to a perfect start to the season against the newly promoted side. Zaha, Delaney and Cabaye were on the scoresheet for Palace as Alan Pardew’s men recorded a comfortable win away from home. Although Nathan Redmond scored a stunner from 25 yards to bring his side back in the game, the French starlet Yohan Cabaye killed it off with a strike in stoppage time. A few minutes after Norwich’s response, Cameron Jerome had his equaliser disallowed for high boot.
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Jose Mourinho was not a happy man after Chelsea had settle for a point against Swansea. Oscar opened the scoring for the Blues, after his free-kick bounced across every Chelsea player unscathed and past the outstretched Fabianski. Courtois who quite magnificently saved Bafetimbi Gomis’ pummeling header was unable to deny Andre Ayew from scoring a debut goal after a scramble in the box. Swansea’s joy was short lived after Willian’s cross freakishly deflected off Federico Fernandez’s boot and looped into the back of the net.
Chelsea were well in control of the proceedings before Thibaut Courtois was sent off for bringing Gomis down on the line of the box, after Shelvey played a clever ball above the Chelsea defence to the Frenchman, who was played on-side by Willian. The Belgian ‘keeper rushed out and quite blatantly stuck his foot out to earn his marching orders. Gomis stepped up and sent the substitute goalkeeper Begovic the wrong way to level terms once again. Chelsea attacked fervently in search of a winning goal but the Swans were disciplined and ensured that the points were shared at the end of the day.
Tags: Chelsea EPL Manchester United Swansea
