EPL Week 1 Review: The lows, the highs, the let-downs and the surprises…..how it all went down

By Ayodeji Babatunde

Anticipation was thick, excitement high, and impatience latent. Such was the atmosphere over the weekend before the lunchtime kick-off of the first match of the 2015-2016 English Premier League season.

And so it started with Manchester United sparing it up with Tottenham Hotspurs at Old Trafford. Excitement was high as the Reds featured four new recruits. Coach Van Gaal opted for new boy Sergio Romero in post over  De Gea. It seems Madrid’s interest in the spanish lad is taking its toll on his performance.

Tottenham, on their part, also had to do without their number one keeper Hugo LLoris having a wrist injury.

The Spurs had the first bite of the cherry when Harry Kane got into a one on one situation with Romero but could not bury the ball in the net. Tottenham kept at it for a while but United kept them contained.

However, with a fluid and swift change from defense to attack, United broke the deadlock albeit with an own goal from Kyle Walker who was trying to nick the ball off preying Wayne Rooney.

After that, there were fewer chances between the sides, even after the break.

Spurs picked up pace in the last minute of the encounter when Erikson and Kane drew two smart and successive saves from Romero. Anti-climatic it was but United got the job done and had their first three points in the kitty compared to last season when they lost their opening match.

Elsewhere, Alan Pardew’s Crystal Palace continued from where they left last season. Their quick and crisp passing as well as efficient attacking football was enough to demolish new boys Norwich.

Norwich will be feeling wronged after they had a goal disallowed by the referee who adjudged the player’s foot high and dangerous. However, a late third goal from Crystal Palace sealed the win for them.

Another win from Leicester City showed they are the hottest team in the EPL having acquired more points in their last eight games than any other team.

They played great football showing they would not be missing the departed Cambiasso. Dick Advocaat’s Sunderland were nowhere near challenging with too many defensive errors and lapse in concentration at key moments.

Aston Villa left it late but Tim Sherwood men got their win when new boy Rudy Gested headed in the winner to show Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth championship champions the EPL is not a joke. It was not a nice start at the Vitality stadium but there sure are going to be better days to come.

Quique Flores’s Hornets showed they mean business as they came tantalizingly close to winning at Goodison park. A first half volley put them in front early on only to be leveled by a wonder goal from Martinez’s wonderboy Ross Barkley halfway into the second period.

Then came super-sub Odion Ighallo who blasted in a second after nutmegging two Everton defenders. Everton’s lead was short-lived as Kone and Lukaku showed a promising partnership upfront as Kone thundered a well-laid pass by Lukaku into the low-corner of Hornets post.

An open and entertaining match, and a good display showed Watford mean business and could survive the top flight.

The low of the day came from the reigning Champions when Jose Mourinho’s men were held to a draw by Gary Monk’s Swansea. The game started with quick movements of attack and counter-attacks from both teams, with the blues showing superiority in key areas and keeping up continuous pressure which paid off with Oscar getting a well deserved goal to put them in front.

However new swans Ayew showed he is quick to adapt to EPL life when he leveled up. Moments later, the Blues were one up again as they cranked up pressure. It looked as if they would maul the Swans before a defensive blunder by keeper Courtois led to a penalty and red card.

Batefimi Gomis stepped up and scored the leveller. Both teams had chances to score but squandered them. The game ended in a draw 1-1.

The Sunday games

Sunday brought in different sides to compete in the EPL  with Arsenal and Liverpool playing their first matches.

Having beaten Chelsea to the Community Shield, Arsene Wenger’s men came into the match at the Emirates brimming with confidence.

Arsenal dominated proceedings from the first blast of the whistle but met a well organized and disciplined West Ham that looked completely different under new Coach Bilic.

The Hammers were very quick on the counter and always put Arsenal under pressure when they broke out. Even though the gunners had chances and possession they failed to make good use of them. Hammers goalie Adrian was impeccable in goal, an added nightmare for the Gunners.

As the first Half wound down, the continuous forays of Zarate and Payet paid off as they won a free kick deep in the gunners half. Payet took the free kick brilliantly and a misjudged punch by Cech allowed Kouyate to prod in header at close range silencing the larger part of Emirates.

Arsenal tried a quick response but Adrian was up to the task.

The second period brought in no new changes but Arsenal kept trying to get level. Their woes worsened when, against the run of play, a defensive mix up gifted Zarate a loose ball. He lashed in a low shot 20 yards out and beat Cech for the second time.

It was a day both Cech and Arsenal will be quick to forget.

Southampton and Newcastle battled it out and settled for a four-goal draw with Saints drawing first blood through Pelle on to be leveled out by Cisse. Debutant Wijnaldum made it two for Newcastle only for Shane Long to equalize.

Saido Mane had clear chances to win the game in the final 10 mins for the Saints who played without their coach that had a ruptured ligament during the week.

Newcastle’s new coach Steve McClaren will be content with the result and will hope to improve on it.

The last match on Sunday involved Stoke hosting Liverpool, with the Reds still having last season’s mauling at the hands of Stoke fresh in mind.

Both sides played attritional football as they both were too cautious and thus avoided committing themselves. Except from the cracker of a goal by no other than Coutinho, the game lacked the fireworks Bredan Rodgers boys are know for.

Reds new top signing Benteke was given little service and was rarely given time and space on the ball. Stoke’s defence was solid and efficient and were only beaten by a goal that was made in heaven. New boy Nathaniel Clyne was solid and Firmino only had a quarter of an hour to prove himself.

All in all, it was three points in the bag for the Reds…a good start to their season.

Manchester City will be slugging out with West Brom on Monday night.

.