After three months off, the Premier League returned with a bang. Four of the top six came away with three points, while Liverpool were held by newly-promoted Fulham and Manchester United fell to defeat in Erik ten Hag’s first game in charge.
Meanwhile, there were impressive wins for Newcastle and Bournemouth, and Brentford fought back from a two-goal deficit to snatch a late point against Leicester City.
And, among the 10 games, 101 have picked out the top performers for the first Team of the Week of the season.
📰 Table Of Contents
GK: Robert Sanchez
One misjudgement aside (which handed Manchester United a lifeline), Robert Sanchez proved a stark contrast with his opposing number as the Seagulls dominated the Red Devils.
The Spaniard, who has already taken David de Gea’s place in the National squad, demonstrated just how important it is to be able to use your feet as a modern goalkeeper, while also making a brilliant point-blank save from Marcus Rashford in the second half.
It’s messy but it counts – Man Utd pull one back! 🔴
Game on 👀👊 pic.twitter.com/n8l3JG0eix
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 7, 2022
RB: Emerson Royal
With Matt Doherty still recovering from injury and Djed Spence not yet ready for Premier League action, Emerson Royal was offered the opportunity to impress, and did just that as Tottenham ran out confident 4-1 winners over a hapless Southampton side.
💪 When the hustle pays off
Top work, @Emerson_Royal22 👏 pic.twitter.com/bdQ2sQwxWJ
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) August 6, 2022
CB: William Saliba
Saliba was handed his Arsenal debut in the heart of the Gunners defence as they travelled to Crystal Palace, a ground that saw them fall to a 3-0 defeat last season.
However, the Frenchman was entirely unfazed by the occasion, and put in a man-of-the-match performance that helped his side come away 2-0 winners, and will have Ben White looking over his shoulder for his place in Mikel Arteta’s best XI.
William Saliba’s Premier League debut for Arsenal:
100% take-ons completed
100% aerial duels won
94% pass accuracy
49 passes
7 ball recoveries
6 passes into final third
6 clearances
3 duels won
0x dribbled past
0 goals conceded
0 fouls committedWorth the wait. 🍾 pic.twitter.com/xH2Wm0TuQs
— Squawka (@Squawka) August 5, 2022
CB: Kalidou Koulibaly
Another centre-back with an impressive debut, Chelsea’s newest defender looked right at home in his new side, and the Blues will be hoping that the injury which forced him off is not too serious.
As well as being excellent defensively, it was his clever pass which saw Ben Chilwell felled for the penalty, which ultimately proved the winner.
Kalidou Koulibaly’s Premier League debut by numbers:
71 touches
11 final third entries
7 duels won
4x possession won
3 clearances
3 aerial duels won
2 tackles
1 interception
1 last man tackleA positive start. 💪 pic.twitter.com/Gf1724B9TQ
— Squawka (@Squawka) August 6, 2022
LB: Joao Cancelo
So often a rampaging full-back, Cancelo was deployed alongside Rodri and fellow defender Kyle Walker as an inverted full-back on the left flank. This in turn allowed the midfield pairing of Gundogan and De Bruyne to push forward and eventually break down a stubborn West Ham side.
Now the proud owner of the no.7 shirt, Cancelo put in a performance that plenty of deep lying playmakers would be proud of.
João Cancelo and Kyle Walker’s combined heat-maps from the victory over West Ham.
Full-backs or deep lying playmakers? pic.twitter.com/HkO5NpvYzA
— Amos Murphy (@AmosMurphy_) August 7, 2022
RM: Dejan Kulusevski
Dejan Kulusevski continues to catapult his name into lights in north London, and ran Southampton ragged as he helped Spurs get off to a winning start in their first full season under Antonio Conte.
The Swede provided the cross for Ryan Sessegnon’s headed equaliser, before he completed the rout by netting the fourth goal just after the hour mark.
Dejan Kulusevski has been involved in 15 Premier League goals since his debut in February 🪄 pic.twitter.com/m3F0AdppRO
— B/R Football (@brfootball) August 6, 2022
CM: Pascal Gross
Currently the joint leading goalscorer in the Premier League, Pascal Gross’s performance will go under the radar as media speculation intensifies around Manchester United and their turmoil. The truth is, however, that Brighton were as good as United were bad, and Gross epitomised that.
IT’S TWO!! Pascal Groß is there again!! 2️⃣
Brighton are currently blowing Man Utd away!! 😲 pic.twitter.com/HoHn9pxyVL
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 7, 2022
CM: Bruno Guimaraes
What a player Newcastle United have on their hands in Guimaraes, with the Brazilian once again running the show as Eddie Howe got his Magpies off to a winning start.
The midfielder topped the charts for almost every stat in attack and defence for the Tyneside outfit, and should he continue to impress European giants may come calling for Newcastle’s gem. Of course, the Magpies will be under no pressure to sell.
1 – Among all @NUFC players today against Nottingham Forest, Bruno Guimarães was either top or joint-top for successful passes (63), dribbles completed (4), tackles (4), fouls won (4) and chances created (3). All-action. pic.twitter.com/7Pj32gZuIN
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 6, 2022
LM: Brenden Aaronson
Having only just survived relegation last season, Leeds needed to ensure that they recruited well in the summer. And, in Brenden Aaronson, they have seemingly done just that.
The USMNT star had a debut to remember, netting the winner (later credited as an own goal) and causing Wolves problems all afternoon with his strong running and incessant work-rate.
The #USMNT off to a winning start in the Premier League.🇺🇸
Brenden Aaronson with a superb debut. Shame his winning ‘goal’ was credited as an OG. Leeds won’t care. pic.twitter.com/iHEjO4Kc4r
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) August 6, 2022
ST: Aleksandar Mitrovic
Fulham’s Mitrovic seemed to be on a one-man mission to prove that he could in fact hack it in the Premier League, and put in a stunning performance against the usually watertight Liverpool defence.
Helped aplenty by his teammates, the Serbian striker opened his account by jumping above Trent Alexander-Arnold at the back post to nod home, before he drew a foul from the usually reserved Virgil van Dijk.
His form will be key if Fulham are to stay up this season, and he’s started with a bang.
Aleksandar Mitrovic’s game by numbers vs. Liverpool:
100% take-on success
51 touches
18 duels won
11 aerial duels won
7x possession won
5 touches in opp. box
3 shots
2 shots on target
2 goals
1 penalty wonWho said he can’t do it in the Premier League. 😀 pic.twitter.com/hLnYPQhe4a
— Squawka (@Squawka) August 6, 2022
ST: Darwin Nunez
As it is likely to be for much of the season, this spot was a toss up between Liverpool’s new star and Manchester City’s, with Erling Haaland grabbing two goals and certainly worth an honourable mention.
Coming on at 1-0 down, however, Nunez grabbed a goal and an assist to rescue a point for Jurgen Klopp’s side, and caused chaos among the Fulham defence throughout the second half.
This time, the Uruguayan gets the nod.
📊 Darwin Nunez stats vs Fulham:
44 Minutes Played
1 Goal
3 Shots On Target
1 Assist
2 Chances Created (Most in match)
3 Aerial Duels Won pic.twitter.com/rfbxihjxl8— LFC Transfer Room (@LFCTransferRoom) August 7, 2022
