A weekend of fixtures which yielded several significant storylines, the English Premier League is up and running. Hawkeye Sidekick reflects on the weekend of brilliance on the pitch, officiating incompetence and club boards who are poised to hit the panic button early.
The summer has seen a feast of soccer action. The Euros, Olympics and CONMEBOL tournaments have come and gone. The qualification for UEFA competitions are well underway. You would wonder about player welfare given the time afforded to the elite players this past summer?
The first round of the EPL this past weekend was an occasion for Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Southampton Town to bask in and enjoy. All three teams acquitted themselves as well as they could.
It is great to have Jamie Vardy back in the top flight and Leicester City. Vardy and Tottenham Hotspurs fans gave as good as they got. Vardy had the last laugh with a second half equalizer which exposed Tottenham’s lack of final third cutting edge. Solanke is immediately under pressure to deliver at home this weekend.
Ipswich Town undone by the quality of Liverpool’s attacking options in a five minute spell after the break. Slot be applauded for changing things up at the break. Youngster Quansah hauled off. Will Slot do the same to a more established first team player? I will defer my verdict on Slot until that scenario plays out. Liverpool figured out Ipswich Town and Salah back playing with a smile on his face is good news for the new manager, supporters and Liverpool FC.
Southampton had a tough assignment travelling to Newcastle United but the 1-0 loss exposed Southampton’s sheer inability to create against a ten man Newcastle United. The sending off is an embarrassment for Brereton Díaz. Officials now will be extremely hard on the player if credible decisions need to be made in favor of the player. Newcastle United comfortable. I fear for Southampton in particular.
Ipswich Town will battle but Szmodics must deliver up top for Kieran McKenna’s side to have any chance of even competing to stave off the drop. The quality in final third play need to improve.
Leicester City personally have the best chance of survival. Steve Cooper knows what it takes to stay in the division and expect one or two shrewd loan signings to shore up central defensive and midfield areas before the window closes.
Manchester United opened up the EPL season on Friday night. Let’s be honest, it was a performance which lacked precision in the final third. The shape of United’s midfield without the ball remains glaring, better teams than Fulham plunder this weak point throughout the season. Zirkzee looked lively when introduced and his game winner was well merited. Erik ten Hag though will know plenty of work is required in Carrington to compete with the top six in the league.
Fulham will be disappointed with the outcome. Tete’s efforts aside though were the only clear cut chances created. I feel Fulham right now need a replacement for Palhinha who was a standout. Ream has moved back to the MLS so leadership is lost defensively.
The final third from Fulham needs Traore to fire on all cylinders. We saw glimpses of the potential pace and counterattack threat from the player last Friday night. It needs to come throughout the game. Silva has a move or two to make before the window, otherwise this may be a relegation threatened season.
The usual title race suspects had impressive wins. Arsenal negotiated Wolverhampton Wanderers with some excellent attacking football. Kai Havertz needs to take this opportunity as the main man up top. His goal was well worked and scored with some good linkup play with Jesus Gabriel. Arsenal will be in the title mix but is the squad depth sufficient this season?
Manchester City with a key early season win in the books. Chelsea been criticized from pillar to post but this side will pose a lot of teams big issues and they created chances against City. The reigning league champions though were more composed in the final third. Haaland and Kovacic providing that attacking class that Chelsea lacked. Maresca and Boehly have issues to deal with starting with Sterling and his representatives. Others will follow. Chelsea’s surplus may be other club’s treasure.
The Brentford vs. Palace fixture was an interesting watch. I think Palace finish higher up the table than Brentford this season. Palace were incredibly unlucky to lose this one. The officiating was poor. The Eze goal incident was a joke. There were other marginal calls that went to the hosts. Glasner was cool and composed in the postgame but officiating performances against you like this heaps the pressure on. It was a reminder that the EPL officiating levels are inconsistent depending on the match officials in charge.
Brighton and Hove Albion were given time and space by Everton and they punished the hosts with ease. Mitoma is a class act and with several players due to return to full fitness, Brighton have an exciting league campaign to look forward to. Zero European distractions. A top eight finish is on the cards. Everton were miles off it even before the Young red card. A reaction is required this weekend.