TEAM: NEWCASTLE
The Geordies started as they meant to go on with a five-star performance against Aston Villa. Although Villa was hampered by the loss of their captain Mings. Newcastle showed no mercy and took full advantage.
Their attacking play was unrelenting as they streamed forward at every opportunity, and it felt like they could score on every attack. It was a great start to the season as they put down a real marker.
Well done also to Man City. Brighton. Fulham. Crystal Palace, Arsenal and Man Utd.
GOALKEEPER: BERND LENO (Fulham)
He was lucky in the first half with the disallowed goal. But from then on he produced a thrilling man-of-the-match performance to secure a great away win a Goodison.
Everton were frustrated time and again by the Fulham keeper, who made several good saves for a well-earned clean sheet and three points.
Shout out also to Liverpool’s Allison. Sheff Utd’s Foderingham and West Ham’s Areola.
DEFENDER: AXEL DISASI (Chelsea)
It was a debut to remember for the defender. Not only scoring the equaliser to earn his team a point, but defensively looked solid and comfortable in their back three.
He defended well, and aside from the first 20 minutes of the game, he didn’t allow Liverpool anything, as their only shot on target resulted in a goal.
Well done also to his teammate Thiago Silva. Liverpool’s Konate. Spurs duo Romero and Royal. Arsenal’s Saliba. Newcastle’s Botman. Wolves’ Kilman. Palace’s Anderson also, Man Utd duo Wan-Bissaka & Verane.
MIDFIELDER: RODRIGO (Man City)
A new season, but same old performers, once again he is one of the top performers making a difference and leading the team to victory.
He assisted the opening goal, then sealed the game with a third. He literally can do it all and goes about his business in a cool and calm manner. Rolls Royce of a player.
Shout out also to his teammate B. Silva. West Ham’s Bowen. Brighton trio Gross, March and Mitoma. Palace’s Ayew. Wolves’s Lemina. Forest’s Elanga. Chelsea’s Chilwell and Enzo. Newcastle duo Tonali & Barnes. Also, Spurs duo Maddison & Bissouma,
FORWARD: ALEXANDER ISAK (Newcastle)
This was a two-horse race, but I opted for the Newcastle man who showed last season glimpsed last season of his brilliance but was troubled by injuries. However, he is straight out of the blocks with two goals and an assist.
He showed his striking abilities with awareness to be in the right place and an instinctive finish for this first. Then sniffing out a chance and scoring with an exquisite finish for his second.
Well done also to his teammates Wilson and Gordon. Arsenal duo Saka & Nketiah. Brentford duo Mbuemo and Wissa. Forest’s Awoniyi. Bournemouth’s Solanke. Brighton trio Pedro. Ferguson and Adingra. Wolves’s Cunha. Luton’s Morris. Fulham’s Reid. Palace’s Edouard and Man City’s Haaland who was close to winning this.
MANAGER: EDDIE HOWE (Newcastle)
His team started the season full of confidence to build on an impressive last season. They put Villa to the sword with some irresistible attacking play.
Also, you cannot get any better than a new signing scoring within six minutes of his debut. It seems Howe has the Midas touch, and it could be another very good season for the Geordies.
Shout out also to Brighton’s De Zerbi. Fulham’s Silva and Man City’s Guardiola.
UNSUNG HERO: YVES BISSOUMA (Tottenham)
I think the Spurs fans will be very encouraged by his performance on the opening day. He looked back to the form that got him a move in the first place.
Bossed the midfield with some lovely neat and tidy touches, vision, energy and passing ability. Showed what a difference belief is from your manager and confidence can do. The key now is to be consistent.
Well done also to his teammate Maddison and Newcastle’s Tonali.
GAME: CHELSEA 1-1 LIVERPOOL
In a pulsating opening game of the season, Liverpool took an early lead when Mac Allister pinged a ball out to Salah just inside the Chelsea half. He then ran at Colwill and played a lovely threaded ball across the box for Diaz to come sliding in to steer home (18).
Liverpool thought they had a second when Alexander-Arnold threaded a ball through for Salah to slot home at the near post, but VAR called a wafer-thin offside decision.
Chelsea then equalised from a corner that Liverpool failed to clear. Debutant Disasi latched onto Chilwell’s header back in the box to sweep home (37). Two minutes later, Chilwell was played in and rounded the keeper to score, but was ruled offside by VAR.
In the second half, Liverpool thought they had a pen when Diaz’s goal-bound header came off Jackson’s hand, but VAR said no (54). there were chances for Van Dijk. Jackson, Chilwell. Mudryk and Nunes but there were no further goals.
GOAL: BAKAYO SAKA (Arsenal) vs Notts Forest
Saliba did well high in the Forest half on the right. Winning the ball, then playing a one, two with Nketiah.
Just outside the box to the right, Saliba plays a ball square for Saka, who lets the ball run across his body, takes another touch, and then from just outside the box, curls a rasping effort that flies into the top corner, giving the keeper no chance.
There were also good goals from Man City’s Haaland and West Ham’s Bowen.
FOOL: ASTON VILLA
Although there were a few candidates for this, I really couldn’t ignore Villa’s capitulation after losing their captain.
I understand it must have been a blow to lose him like that, which affected their game. But as professionals, the way they folded, allowing Newcastle to run riot, was worrying.
More worrying that it looks like they are going to be without Mings for some time. So if they don’t fix up fast, it’s going to be a disastrous month, at least. Fools!
