- English Premier League returned this weekend
- The new season kicked off on Friday with some big talking points from the weekend’s action
- Liverpool’s Slot era has started, Bukayo Saka is shining for Arsenal and Chelsea start the new campaign with a 2-0 loss to Manchester City
Major talking points from the Premier League’s opening weekend
The Premier League is back. England’s top flight returned on Friday night, with more fixtures over the weekend to kick off the 2024/25 season.
| EPL: Premier League results |
|---|
| Manchester United 1-0 Fulham |
| Ipswich Town 0-2 Liverpool |
| Arsenal 2-0 Wolves |
| Everton 0-3 Brighton |
| Newcastle 1-0 Southampton |
| Nottingham Forest 1-1 Bournemouth |
| West Ham 1-2 Aston Villa |
| Brentford 2-1 Crystal Palace |
| Chelsea 0-2 Manchester City |
*Leicester City vs Tottenham kicks off this Monday (20:00)
Liverpool’s Slot era starts
The end of the Jurgen Klopp era was an emotional one, as Liverpool – and Premier League – fans bid farewell to one of the best managers in the world. But with one door closing another one opens. And in walks Arne Slot – the new Reds’ boss whose first EPL match kicked off with a 2-0 win over Ipswich.
Mohamed Salah and Diago Jota both found the back of the net and after watching their performances, they’ll likely prove to be key in helping usher in the Slot era.
So far the transition is looking well, but Salah only has a year left on his Liverpool contract and it’s not clear what his future will look like. It’s clear he looked in his element this weekend though and hopefully there’ll be many more seasons with Salah in Red.
“If I see what he does to keep his body as it is and to be ready to play every game, I think there are many more years inside of him to play,” said Slot.
‘Arsenal favourites to win the Prem’
England golden boy Bukayo Saka was at the heart of Arsenal’s opening win, kicking off their EPL campaign against Wolves.
Arsenal have proven to be the pundits’ favourites to win the Premier League this season, and Saka has earned high praise – especially from manager Mikel Arteta.
Saka opened the scoring followed by Kai Havertz who doubled their lead.
“Bukayo had an unbelievable action to score the 2-0,” said Arteta.
“With good players it’s like that. With (Lionel) Messi, I know he’s going to come in and do that, but you can’t stop him.”
Declan Rice, William Saliba and Havertz also started despite a lack of pre-season minutes due to their involvement in the latter stages of the Euros.
City boss Pep Guardiola by contrast gave all of his players at least four weeks off to prepare for a gruelling campaign ahead.
That extra rest could prove critical come the spring, but Arteta knows Arsenal need a fast start with a difficult run of fixtures to come.
‘Poor start for Chelsea’
Chelsea may have seven goalkeepers amongst their 50 players on their books but they are still struggling to find a number one. Later in the month an eight goalie – Belgium teenager Mike Penders – will be added to their books.
Chelsea’s Robert Sanchez had a tough opening match – as City beat Chelsea 2-0 with the opening goal being a long-range strike that slipped through his grasp.
Chelsea’s books also include the world’s most expensive goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, who is back from a loan spell at Real Madrid, but failed to even make the squad for Enzo Maresca’s first match in charge.
Djordje Petrovic deputised with distinction when Sanchez was injured last season before falling back out of favour, while Filip Jorgensen had to make do with a place on the bench following his £20 million move from Villarreal last month.
Whether to stick by Sanchez is just one of the list of decisions facing Maresca going forward.
The massive challenge the Italian has to maintain harmony among such a bloated squad was exposed by Raheem Sterling’s camp issuing a public statement questioning his future after the England international was left out against City.
