TEAM: TOTTENHAM
This was a real tough one, as there were several very strong candidates for this. However, after deliberating long and hard about this and considering all the options, I gave it to the North Londoners. Largely due to a torrid summer, new manager, rumours galore and having to face the champions without your top scorer, captain and talisman. Spurs started slowly and it looked as though they were about to be overrun, but they grew into the game, worked on the counter and in the end, were good for their win. Well done also to Liverpool, West Ham, Chelsea, Brighton, Everton, Watford, Leicester also Man Utd and Brentford who were both very close to winning this.
GOALKEEPER: DAVID RAYA (Brentford)
It wasn’t really a week for the keepers, which made this a hard decision. However, as a newly promoted team in your first game of the season, keeping a clean sheet is invaluable. Not only that but, the Brentford keeper was steady and solid without having to be spectacular, but did produce one good, and one outstanding save. I am sure he knows there will be harder days ahead but for a debut, he didn’t put a foot wrong. Shout out also to Tottenham’s Lloris, Liverpool’s Alisson and Leicester’s Schmeichel.
DEFENDER: JAPHET TANGANGA (Tottenham)
Another tough decision for this, with several good candidates. But the way the young full back absolutely shut down Sterling, who starred for England in the summer, as well as nullified the runs from Grealish and Mendy, while looking totally unfazed, more than, made him deserve this. Well done also to his team mates Sanchez & Dier, West Ham’s Cresswell, Man Utd’s Shaw, Burnley’s Tarkowski, Leicester’s Pereira, Liverpool’s Alexadner-Arnold and Chelsea’s Chalobah who was close to winning this.
MIDFIELDER: BRUNO FERNANDES (Manchester United)
This was a two horse race between the two team mates but his hat-trick takes it. He has started where he left off from last season, being the main man for United. His running from midfield and eye for a goal was again the main feature as he scored the opener, then in the second half, bagged his second and third in just six minutes, completing his hat-trick with a rocket. Shout out also to his team mates Pogba who was close to winning this and Fred, West Ham duo Benrahma & Soucek, Newcastle due Murphy & Ritchie, Brighton duo Moder & Mac Allister, Chelsea duo Alonso & Pulisic, Villa’s McGinn, Everton duo Iwobi & Doucoure, Watford’s Cleverley also Brentford duo Norgaard & Canos.
FORWARD: MO SALAH (Liverpool)
Another who has started where he left off last season. He is now a record breaker having scored on the opening day of the Premier League for five seasons in a row. Not only did he mark his performance with a superb goal, he also assisted Liverpool’s other two goals, one inadvertently, the other, was very deliberate to cap off an impressive first game. Well done also to his team mates Jota & Firmino. Newcastle duo Wilson & Saint-Maximin, West Ham’s Antonio, Spurs duo Son & Moura, Man Utd’s Greenwood, Everton duo Richardson & Calvert-Lewin, Leicester’s Vardy, Southampton’s Armstrong, Watford trio Dennis, Sarr and Cucho, Brighton’s Maupay also Brentford duo Mbeumo and Toney.
MANAGER: THOMAS FRANK (Brentford)
I had to think about this one, as naturally, there were a few good candidates for this but I had to go for the debutant manager. I heard an Arsenal fan say Brentford played to their strengths and Arsenal didn’t. I really admired that. No frills or spills, Frank knew exactly what he had, knew what he was up against, although the late change helped things. But he set his team out to play to their strengths and in the end, they were deserved winners. Shout out also to Tottenham’s Espirito Santo, Man Utd’s Solskjaer and Brighton’s Potter.
UNSUNG HERO: PAUL POGBA (Manchester United)
He just missed out on the midfielder award to his team mate and some may argue unjustly, so it was only right he got acknowledged. It seems every transfer window does not go by without speculation of his future, but he remains committed to the club. If you had any doubts, this performance dispelled them, as he superbly assisted four out of Man Utd’s five goals, showing all of his vision, touch, awareness and pinpoint passing ability.
GAME: NEWCASTLE 2-4 WEST HAM
Newcastle opened the scoring in front their fans when Saint-Maximin picked up the ball just outside the box on the right. Twisted and turned several times, before putting a cross in for Wilson to get in front two defenders and head home at the near post (5). West Ham were soon level when the ball found itself across the box to Cresswell just inside the box. Where his his first time, low bobbling shot crept in the far bottom corner (18). Newcastle went back in front when Almiron fed Ritchie down the left, who dug out a cross for Murphy to stoop to head home from a standing position into the corner (40). In the second half West Ham equalised again. Bowen found Antonio just inside the box, his poor touch took him to the byline, where he crossed for Benrahma to nod home at the far post (53). West Ham then took the lead when Murphy was adjudged to have fouled Fornals harshly in the box. Antonio stepped up but Woodman saved, however, Soucek was on hand to sweep home (63). The points were then sealed when Benrahma broke away down the centre, he then fed Antonio on his right, who lashed home into the far corner (68).
GOAL: LUKE AYLING (Leeds Utd) v Manchester Utd
Early in the second half with Leeds trailing. They had a throw on from the left when went to Harrison running square about 30 yards from goal. He let the ball run across him, then played a square ball to the oncoming Ayling, arriving from right back. He took a touch that allowed the ball to travel a few yards confront of him. With space ahead, he ran onto the ball and from about 25 yards out, unleashed a rasping drive that flew into the far corner.
FOOL: ARSENAL FC
If others have started as they mean to go on in a positive way, the gunners also have, but in a negative way. From the time they lost their two star strikers to a mysterious illness before kick off, it was down hill from there. Their performance more then left a lot to be desired, with some horribly weak defending for both Brentford goals. They were second in every aspect. Not only that but, Arsenal still don’t seem to have to have a system, direction and a definitive style. They continue to play from the back when their defenders are clearly not comfortable with it and to their detriment. Hopefully, its just first game jitters, but they really need to shape up or it could be a long season. FOOLS!
