A pulsating weekend of Premier League action has come to a close, with old favourites and surprise packages up and down the country kicking off the 2021-22 season in the best way possible - with plenty of goals.
The opening game of the new season saw newly-promoted Brentford claim a deserved 2-0 victory over Arsenal, but their North London neighbours fared far better, as Tottenham Hotspur downed champions Manchester City 1-0 without Harry Kane.
Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool all began their title challenges with victories over Crystal Palace, Leeds United and Norwich City respectively, while a second win for a newly-promoted side saw Watford claim a 3-2 scalp over Aston Villa.
Elsewhere, Leicester City overcame Wolverhampton Wanderers by a solitary goal, Rafael Benitez's Everton sunk Southampton, Brighton & Hove Albion edged past Burnley and West Ham United came from behind to prevail at Newcastle United.
With plenty of spectacular individual performances on show this weekend, Sports Mole picks its Team of the Week for the first gameweek of the Premier League season.
DEFENCE
© Reuters
Arsenal were bullied and dominated all over the pitch at the Brentford Community Stadium on Friday evening, but goalkeeper David Raya - previously linked with a switch to the Gunners - kept his side in the game when it mattered most. Firstly producing a fine save to keep out Emile Smith Rowe before his lightning-quick reactions prevented Nicolas Pepe from finding the bottom corner, Raya fully warranted his clean sheet.
Raheem Sterling and Jack Grealish were aiming to combine to give Man City's attack a new dimension at Tottenham, but Japhet Tanganga refused to let the two England internationals weave their magic. Aggressive from the very first whistle, Tanganga ended the game with a 90% pass accuracy, three ground duels won, two tackles and two clearances during a robust performance. On the opposite site, Marcos Alonso proved his worth to Thomas Tuchel with a cracker of a free kick against Crystal Palace before winning six ground duels, making four tackles and playing two key passes in a stellar display.
Another member of Tuchel's famed backline appears in our Team of the Week, although this one is a rookie member of the German's school of defending. After learning his trade on loan at Ipswich Town, Huddersfield Town and Lorient, Trevoh Chalobah was handed a start on the opening day against Palace and scored a long-range thunderbolt in front of the raucous Stamford Bridge crowd. Emotion soon took over for the 22-year-old on the most memorable afternoon of his career so far.
In another feel-good story, Brighton centre-back Shane Duffy resumed his partnership with Lewis Dunk against Burnley and drew heavy praise from Graham Potter for his role in the Seagulls' success. The 29-year-old had experienced tirades of online abuse during his forgettable Celtic spell but starred in the Brighton backline at Turf Moor, winning nine aerial duels, making 10 clearances and registering a 92% pass accuracy during a colossal performance.
MIDFIELD
© Reuters
Tomas Soucek's goalscoring prowess has shown no signs of letting up over the summer months, as the West Ham lynchpin opened his account for the season at St James' Park after reacting quickly to Michail Antonio's penalty to smash home the rebound. The Czech powerhouse was unsurprisingly a key presence in the air - winning four aerial duels as well as six ground duels - while he also won five tackles in a thrilling win for the Hammers.
Refusing to let the ongoing speculation surrounding his future affect him, Paul Pogba was at his creative best during a 5-1 thrashing of Leeds United at Old Trafford. The Frenchman may not have made the net ripple on the day, but he assisted four of the Red Devils' goals and is relishing the freedom to roam he has been given under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
There are no prizes for guessing who fills the number 10 role in our squad, with Bruno Fernandes at his effervescent best for Man United on the opening day. The playmaker's first goal took a helpful deflection off Illan Meslier, but his second and third strikes on the day were true indications of his penalty-box prowess as the Red Devils' gift just keeps on giving.
ATTACK
© Reuters
Goalscorer, creator, record-breaker, Mohamed Salah was simply bound to find the net on the opening day of the Premier League season. After setting up Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino's strikes against Norwich, Salah's priceless left foot once again came up with the magic to settle the contest, making him the first player ever to score on the opening day of the Premier League five seasons in a row.
No Harry Kane? No problem for Tottenham Hotspur. Nuno Espirito Santo went without a recognised striker against Man City but talked up Son Heung-min's qualities as a central player, and it soon became evident why. With 55 minutes gone, the South Korea captain collected the ball on the right-hand side before cutting onto his left foot and firing an effort past the hapless Ederson into the far corner. Whether Kane stays or goes, tying Son down to a new long-term deal has already proven to be an excellent piece of business from Spurs.
Watford stunned the entire league by going 3-0 up against a new-look Aston Villa side, and new arrival Emmanuel Dennis was central to his side's success. The former Club Brugge frontman opened his side's account for the season at the second attempt after seeing his initial effort blocked by Ezri Konsa, and the striker then proceeded to lay on the assist for Ismaila Sarr to double his side's tally in front of a jubilant Vicarage Road crowd.
SPORTS MOLE'S PREMIER LEAGUE TEAM OF THE WEEK
Sports Mole's Premier League team of the week (4-2-3-1): Raya; Tanganga, Duffy, Chalobah, Alonso; Soucek, Pogba; Salah, Fernandes, Son; Dennis
