Manchester City’s quest to win a fifth consecutive Premier League title started with a hard fought 2-0 victory away to Chelsea on Sunday, and that after Arsenal and Liverpool had both picked up three points with the same score line a day earlier.
City’s trip to Stamford Bridge was the match of the weekend; and it certainly delivered quickly as, with just 18 minutes on the clock, Haaland took a pass from Bernardo Silva, shrugged off two challenges and dinked the ball home for his 91st Manchester City goal in his 100th game. Chelsea, under Enzo Maresca for the first time, fielded their youngest ever starting 11 and they shared the action in the first half. Only a marginal offside denied Nicolas Jackson a goal and spared Ederson’s blushes after the Sky Blues keeper spilled a shot from Cole Palmer.
In the second half Rico Lewis had the ball in the Chelsea net but this time the Blues breathed a sigh of relief as the goal was disallowed and Haaland was booked for an earlier foul on Levi Colwill. But City did get their second when Mateo Kovacic picked up the ball some 30 yards out and drove forward before firing his shot past a despairing Robert Sanchez.
For all Chelsea’s close season turmoil this was an encouraging performance from Maresco’s youngsters, though it was just the start Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City wanted…and expected.
Saka and Havertz star for Gunners
Arsenal’s riches of attacking talent were on show at the Emirates on Saturday as Mikel Arteta’s side got off to a winning start in some style, with a 2-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Gunners didn’t have it all their own way as keeper David Raya made some key saves to keep out a battling Wolves side, but the hosts ran their visitors ragged at times as Kai Havertz led the line with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli on the flanks with skipper Martin Odegaard playing a fluid role in behind. And it was Havertz and Saka who did the damage, both scoring a goal and teeing each other up.
The England winger was lively as ever and he put in a pinpoint cross for Havertz to finish and give Arsenal a first half lead. When Saka picked up a pass from Havertz and smashed the ball home it was game over but, in the meantime, Raya had made a brilliant save to keep out Wolves new boy Jorgan Strand Larsen.
The SBOTOP Premier League 2024 betting odds rate the Gunners as the most likely team to beat the Sky Blues to the title and, on this evidence, they look spot on.
Arne Slots in nicely
Liverpool started life under their new manager Arne Slot by navigating a tricky fixture away to newcomers Ipswich Town. Though Mo Salah had a sharp new haircut it was business as usual for the Egyptian as he carried on his record of scoring on the opening day, bagging Liverpool’s second in a 2-0 victory to become the top scorer in Premier League opening matches with nine goals.
Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich fought tooth and nail and restricted their illustrious visitors to no shots on target in the opening 45 minutes, but the Reds were ruthless in the second half, scoring twice in five minutes to end the hosts’ hopes of a dream start. Diogo Jota opening the scoring on the hour when Salah found him with a beautiful pass and the main man doubled the lead with a trademark clinical finish.
As always in the Premier League, there are tough times ahead for the three promoted teams and the Tractor Boys will find it hard this season. But they showed up well in this first test…they just need to get some points on the board before too long. Slot has his first three and Liverpool are up and running.
Fab start for Hurzeler
In other Premier League 2024 results there were wins for Manchester United, Aston Villa, Newcastle United and Brentford; but the most eye-catching result came at Goodison Park where Brighton and Hove Albion tore into the Toffees and gave new boss Fabian Hurzeler a perfect introduction to English top flight football as the Seagulls romped to a 3-0 victory. Kaoru Mitoma gave the visitors a deserved first half lead before Danny Welbeck and substitute Simon Adingra made it three. And to make matters worse for the hosts, 39 year old Ashley Young was red carded to become the oldest player to be sent off in Premier League history.
Sean Dyche’s Everton had just one shot on target; a poor return in a home match against a side which, despite this showing, is unlikely to finish in the top six. There is a lot of uncertainty around Goodison Park and their squad has been depleted by the loss of key midfielder Amadou Onana. Dyche is a superb manager but there is no doubt his team is one which the like of Ipswich will have in their sights.
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