Game Week 1

Aston Villa v Chelsea

An important first game of the season between two teams who surely must be harbouring hopes of a title win with the respective quality of their squads.

Villa Park was bouncing for this one and it seemed to spur the home team on somewhat as they started aggressively, getting up close and personal to the champions and playing at breakneck speed.

Their breakthrough came early on as a sloppy ball by Sandro was pounced upon by N'zonzi, who released Robben into space. The tricky Dutch veteran is not one you would want to give time in possession and Chelsea were roundly punished by a trademark curling effort.

Despite the early nerves and a crowd baying for blood, Chelsea settled into the game and, soon, the 2 man midfield was running proceedings for the blues, with Liverpool's press not able to close down Busquets in time before he released a teammate into space. Chelsea found plenty of success on the flanks, with Neymar in particular having some joy against the young Toure at right back. However, they struggled to create enough opportunities that really troubled Oblak in goal.

The second half went by in something of a stalemate before the managers began to work their magic. Chelsea threw on two hungry young forwards while Villa took off their key holding player in favour of a man who gets injured climbing out of bed.
Villa still managed to hold firm against the growing Chelsea pressure but, with seconds on the clock remaining and legs tiring, Mbappe capitalised on a slip by Boateng and weaved his way through a couple of challenges before rounding Oblak and rolling the ball home.

Not long after, the referee called time on the game.

Aston Villa 1 - 1 Chelsea

Arjen Robben (12 minutes)

Kylian Mbappe (90+2 minutes)

MotM: Stephen N'zonzi - The rock at the base of the Villa midfield, his holding role was pivotal to the Villains defence and attack alike. If he had remained on the field, Villa could well have been looking at a fantastic win over the champions.


Newcastle v Arsenal

Last years runners up will be looking to go one better this season, without making too many changes to there squad they should be there or there abouts, as for Tino, he and Arsenal have kind of lost there way a bit obut with there gung ho style they will be a threat to anyone this season.

The game it self started brightly with Aubameyang going close but Lioris saved well, Newcastle went straight up the pitch however and that man Suarez had an early start to the season netting in 4 minutes after being slipped in by Pjanic, they were pegged back by Arsenal tho as they pushed forward and wewre rewarded for there attacking play with a goal by Aubameyang his pace got him passed Godin and he rounded Lloris to equalise., for an opening game it was a real thriller as the ball went back and forward with chances for both, but it was Arsenal who took the lead before half time, again Aubameyangs pace being too much for the Newcastle back line, he sprinted n to a Candreva through ball and blasted past Lloris. 2-1 to the Away side at half-time.

Newcastle had to have possession against a fit, lively Arsenal side and they started to gain control early second half, the midfield 3 in particular doing well to hold onto the ball. Pjanic in particular showing why Chelsea have him as there No.1 target, he was running the show now and it was he who got the equaliser on 54 minutes, after Coutinho found too much space and play a nice low ball into the edge of the box where it was met by Pjanic to drill home low. Arsenal from there pushed but as said they found it hard in the centre of the pitch and even when subs were made they gave more energy but just couldn't get into it and when they conceded a corner late on it was game over as Firmino got on the end of a Pjanic cross. Arsenal rallied for an equaliser but unfortunately it didn't come, great game

Newcastle 3 - 2 Arsenal

Luis Suarez (Salah) 4, Pjanic (Coutinho) 54, Firmino (Pjanic) 82
Aubameyang x 2 (Mandzukic) 15, (Candreva) 37

MOTM - Pjanic - Sprayed the ball about well, scored one and set up another

Birmingham v Leicester

Another title contender with a tough opener, going 442 v 361 will be difficult to get to grips with in midfield and it was as Birmigham, Birmingham took control early against a top class side who just couldn't get the ball to there front two, however having the ball and creating chances are two different things as they just couldn't get Benteke into any goal scoring opportunities, Kante was being his usual self which was stopping James getting into hence the lack of chances for Benteke. Leicester sat in and allowed Brum to have the ball as they knew it wasn't coming to much so saved there energy. They did have the odd chance but Carvalho was doing wellin the holding role and there back 3 stayed firm.

The second half was much alike Brum with a lot of the ball but nothing coming of it, Leicester picking there moments to attack and they did this well on 63 minutes, having Ronaldo and Hazard in advanced roles means however quiet you keep them any lapse in concentration you could be fcked, and Brum were a slack back pass by Carvalho allowed Hazard to nip in and nick the ball, he laid it off to Ronaldo who did the rest. Subs were made but this allowed Leicester to take control and kept Brum away from there goal, well any serious threat was nullified as both Jesus and Benteke tried they just couldn't get in on goal.

Full Time

Birmingham 0 - 1 Leicester

Ronaldo (Hazard) 63

MOTM - Kante, Birmingham had a lot of the ball but Kante stopped them entering the final 3rd a lot of the time

Liverpool v Hull City

A few changes at Liverpool this season and it showed as they struggled to get going, whereas Welshy and Hull are a season older and a bit more experienced, Hulls intentions today were to allow Liverpool to attack, but the home side couldn't find there rythym and Hull were finding it quite easy to stop them in there tracks. However they were creating absolutely nothing themselves, very much attack v defence in which the defence was winning most battles, both well organised teams set up well but in was becoming quite a stalemate and quite frustrating for the home fans. Second half much alike, Liverpool in control but Hull containing them well, much to there credit, probably see a lot from this from Hull this season, they did carve out an opportunity but Milik was wasteful.

Liverpool eventually made the break through when Dybala was shifted inside and Phillip came out, he did break the Hull defence and Dybala was there to finish off good work by the winger. Hull pushed forward a bit but Isak fluffed his lines unfortunately for them.

Liverpool 1 - 0 Hull City

Dybala (Phillip) 73

MOTM - Dybala purely for his goal

Everton v Brighton

The leagues newcomers face off at Goodison looking to grab an early 3 points in what could be a tough season for returning managers Jet and Willy, both need to stamp their authority down quickly to get up to speed with the ever improving teams down in the bottom half. Brighton started the better but Alcacer wasn't up to speed as chances came and went for him, maybe an area Brighton need to improve on, midfields were cancelling each other out and neither team really on top for decent spells, was a decent game with chances coming for both but the first half ended goaless. Again the second half started fine, both creating chances but the first goal didn't come until the 63rd minute, a silly challenge by Monreal allowed Payet to step up and place his freekick over the wall and passed Strakosha, Everton made the subs that seemed to just click for them as Turan & Pastore in particular causing Brighton problems, they eventually got there reward with the two mentioned combined to allow Lacazette to get on the end of a Turan cross, for which was probably a fair result in the end.

Everton 1 - 1 Brighton

Lacazette (Turan) 82
Payet (Freekick) 63

MOTM - Payet, created a few chances for Brighton and was a special freekick to take the lead, they need to keep a hold of him if they are going to stear clear of relegation

Stoke v Spurs

Both teams making huge changes this season, Ska going for a much younger fitter side, whereas Fud bringing in top players like Verratti and Sane to push on and try and catch the home side who finished above them last season.

Stoke started very brightly indeed but in van Dijk and Kompany Spurs imo have a top partnership at the back and stopped Rashford in his tracks, however a slip by van Dijk allowed the young striker in on goal on 20 mins and he slotted home the first goal. Was very much end to end stuff with Cyprien and Verratti influential figures for both sides the next chance came to Spurs, Verratti out to Sane who beat Passlack, he crossed in but Lukaku could only get the slightest of touches and it went out of play, Cyprien then was creator but Rashford balsted wide.

Second half Spurs gained control early, Dembele ripping the ball fro Diawara, short pass to Verratti then to Sane, his cross was too high for Lukaku but Calvert-Lewin came in from the right to header home from a tight angle. Subs wer made by both sides, but Spurs clicked quicker than Stoke, Tolisso was bright and his pass out to Roberts allowed him get in plenty space as it cut through the defence, he slipped it back for for Verratti who played in Belotti who made no mistake. I like both sides here, but Skas strict u23 rule could be his downfall this season

Stoke 1 - 2 Spurs

Rashford (Cyprien)20

Calvert-Lewin(Sane) 53, Belotti(Verratti)84

MOTM - Verratti - close between him and Cyprien who like I said was influential figure for Stoke, I wouldn't have taken him off

Wolves v Portsmouth

Last years was a disappointing one for Rooney, who should be challenging for the title, made some fantastic signings over the summer and will be up there, Wolves have also improved and will look to stay clear of the relegation zone this season

Portsmouth straight out the blocks and 1 up within a minuet Sanchez waltzing down the left into Lewandowski and bang into the net, a horrible start for Wolves, what a start for the away side, the first ten minutes I was relentless and Wolves really lucky to only lose the one goal. It slowed down much to there relief and they came into it, Portsmouth looked a little vulnerable down the flanks, Son and Lucas tried to take advantage but Tah was exceptional against Higuain giving him nothing.

Second half saw Wolves becoming a threat, winning the midfield battle but still Tah leaving nothing at hoime and keeping Higuain completely out of it, they found themselves in the box on 60 minutes and Laporte with a very late challenge on Lucas gave the ref no choice but to point to the spot, this was probably Higuain's best chance to get a goal today and he made no mistake and smashed into the roof of the net, straight down the middle.
Wolves maybe thought this was enough and allowed Portsmouth back into the game, which against the talent they have was a huge mistake as the fresh legs came on Martial did well and his pace saw him into a dangerous position he had plenty time and space to find Lewandowski who pushed home what was to become the winner for Portsmouth. On this evidence Portsmouth will be right up there, come the end of season, Wolves maybe one or two short to challenge for Europe but shpuld be safe and clear from danger

Wolves 1 - 2 Portsmouth

Higuain (Pen) 60

Lewandowski x 2 (Sanchez)1, (Martial)79

MOTM - J.Tah - an absolute rock at the back