TEAM: HULL CITY
Although Brighton destroyed Aston Villa at home, the most unlikely result was newly promoted Hull City, via the play-offs, embarrassing Man Utd.
It was two set-piece goals that did the damage, but Hull were good for their victory with the entire team playing their part in an impressive start to the Premier League season.
Well done to Brighton. Brentford. Arsenal. Chelsea. Leeds. Ipswich. Everton and Man City
GOALKEEPER: JAMES TRAFFORD (Leeds Utd)
It was a close decision with several keepers performing very well and some earning good clean sheets. From that list, I opted for the Leeds keeper.
He didn’t have much to do, but when he was called into action, he pulled off two wonderful saves to earn an inspiring away clean sheet and victory to kick off the season.
Shout out to Everton’s Pickford. Hull’s Tzolakis. Bournemouth’s Petrovic and Brentford’s Kelleher.
DEFENDER: SEMI AJAYI (Hull City)
He scored Hull’s first goal back in the Premier League and his first ever goal at home. Being in the right place at the right time to stab home.
He demonstrated the experience and know-how the club will need this season, a presence in both boxes, scoring the odd goal and keeping them out at the other end as he did to thwart Man Utd.
Well done to his teammates Mendy and Egan. Arsenal’s Calafiori. Brighton foursome Weiffer, Vuskovic, Dunk & Boscagli. Brentford duo Lewis-Potter & Kayode. Chelsea’s Lacroix. Man City’s Gvardiol.
Newcastle’s Hall. Everton’s Braithwaite. Ipswich’s O’Shea. Leeds trio Bijol, Muharemovic and Rodon
MIDFIELDER: COLE PALMER (Chelsea)
Maybe with a point to prove after missing the World Cup. Palmer looked up for it in the West London derby, with a man-of-the-match performance.
He assisted the first goal for Joao Pedro and almost assisted another in the first half. He put on a show throughout, before ultimately scoring the winner with a neat near-post finish.
Shout out to his teammate Rogers. Brighton trio Hishelwood, De Cuyper & Gomez. Arsenal trio Tzolis, Saka & Odegaard. Newcastle defo Elanga & Willock. Leeds’s Stach. Hull trio Giles, Slater & Crooks.
Man City duo Guehi & Cherki. Brentford duo Janelt & Sangare. Everton trio Dewsbury-Hall, Ndiaye & Hackney. Ipswich’s Enciso. Bournemouth’s Tavernier. Fulham’s King. Liverpool’s Szoboszlai.
FORWARD: JOAO PEDRO (Chelsea)
Another player who possibly came into the season with something to prove after missing the World Cup, and he started superbly with a goal in the first minute of the new season.
He gave Fulham all sorts of issues and was a whisker away from doubling his tally in the first half. After Fulham came back into it, he assisted Chelsea’s third, which was the winner.
Well done to Arsenal’s Havertz. Ipswich duo Emersonn and Clarke. Sunderland’s Angulo. Everton’s Barry. Hull’s McBurnie. Liverpool’s Gakpo. Brighton’s Rutter.
MANAGER: SERGEJ JAKIROVIC (Hull City)
Although there were several impressive performances, I had to give it to the Hull manager. Back in the Premier League via the play-offs, most people’s favourites to go down, they stunned Man Utd.
His team was up for it from the first whistle; they outdone United with two set pieces in the first half. In the second half, he removed both goal-scoring centre-backs and kept a clean sheet.
Shout out to Brighton’s Hurzeler. Brentford’s Andrews. Arsenal’s Arteta. Leeds’ Farke. Ipswich’s O’Neil. Everton’s Moyes and Man City’s Maresca.
UNSUNG HERO: JACK HINSHELWOOD (Brighton)
I am sure he has started as he means to go on. The versatile young midfielder, although aided by some dreadful Villa defending, popped up with two first-half goals in a minute to destroy Aston Villa.
It seems hard to believe, as it feels he has already been around a long time, but Hinshelwood is still just 21 years old. He has already played in several positions and racked up over 60 games in the league. What a prospect.
Well done to Arsenal’s Tzolis. Hull duo Mendy & McBurnie. Ipswich’s Enciso. Leeds’s Stach. Newcastle’s Wissa. Brentford duo Lewis-Potter and Keyode and Man City’s Guehi.
GAME: FULHAM 2-3 CHELSEA
The West London derby served up a treat on the opening fixture of the season. Chelsea took the lead within seconds when Joao Pedro neatly dinked the keeper (1). However, King equalised when he rifled in at the near post (23).
Rogers restored the lead in the first half after a good run down the right from Lacroix (41). In the second half, Palmer made it three, with a lovely near-post finish (49) before Garcia pulled a goal back after Sanchez parried into his path to head in off the ground (54).
GOAL: NILSON ANGULO (Sunderland)
The Sunderland forward lined up a free kick about 25 yards from goal, just to the left of the dee.
He took a few steps and unleashed a rasping effort that flew over the wall, dipped and crashed in off the underside of the bar for a superb goal.
FOOL: ASTON VILLA
I mean, though Spurs and Man Utd could be here, it was a disastrous start to the season for Villa, but this award is not just about the result; it’s more about what they expect following their decisions.
From the starting 11 who won the Europa League just three months ago, they sold four players, and a further two were not in the squad. One of the very few players they did bring in, Gomez, got sent off in the first half. After that business, being four down after the first 45 minutes is what they deserved. FOOLS!
