The first round of games in the 2015-16 Premier League season is over, and our review of the action starts now.
The 20 teams that make up England’s top flight each played their first competitive games of the new domestic season Saturday, Sunday or Monday. They collectively produced results, ranging from shocking to mundane, as the soccer world watched in appreciation. Seasons aren’t made or broken in one game, but the openers can set both the tone and tenor of campaigns.
We react to each result below (home team listed first):
Saturday, Aug. 8
Manchester United 1 -0 Tottenham
Manchester United is off to a winning start, thanks to the goal-scoring exploits of Tottenham defender Kyle Walker, whose first-half own goal gifted the Red Devils three points. Manchester United’s win was no great surprise, but the teams’ dull performances in the highly anticipated early kickoff let down most fans.
Bournemouth 0 – 1 Aston Villa
Bournemouth should have claimed at least a point in its Premier League debut, but it failed to capitalize on Aston Villa’s slow start. Rudy Gestede scored the game’s only goal in the second half. The result is a real missed opportunity for the newly promoted Cherries, whose hopes of survival rest on their home form — especially against teams that finished in the bottom half of the Premier League last season.
Norwich City 1 -3 Crystal Palace
The good times continue rolling for Crystal Palace under manager Alan Pardew. The Eagles’ win over the newly promoted Canaries was no great shock, given the form they showed under Pardew last season. Norwich expected a better result at home against a Premier League team that is solid but by no means a heavy hitter.
Leicester City 4 – 2 Sunderland
Leicester City and Sunderland produced the highest-scoring game of the weekend. The hosts exploded with three goals in the first half and added a fourth. Leicester City’s win made a mockery of those who predicted they would struggle this season (like the author) — at least for now. The Foxes washed away the residual good vibes Sunderland might have been feeling after last season’s great escape.
Everton 2 – 2 Watford
Watford twice took and surrendered the lead in its first Premier League game in nine years. Watford settled for a draw, but it’s a good result for the newly promoted Hornets. If Everton is to improve on last season’s 11th-place finish, it must beat teams like Watford. Disappointment reigns for now at Goodison Park.
Chelsea 2 -2 Swansea City
Chelsea stumbled out of the gate in its Premier League title defense, as Swansea City held the Blues to a surprising draw. Chelsea twice surrendered leads during the contest in which goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was sent off. It’s two points lost for Chelsea and one found for Swansea City.
Sunday, Aug. 9
Newcastle 2 – 2 Southampton
Southampton defied expectations last season. Newcastle’s results failed to meet fans’ demands. The teams started the new season with a back-and-forth thriller, which shows Southampton’s surprising strength endures and Newcastle’s road back to prominence will be slow and arduous.
Arsenal 0 – 2 West Ham United
The biggest upset of Round 1 came at the Emirates Stadium, as Arsenal tripped and fell flat in the first steps of its expected title challenge. Goalkeeper Petr Cech is under immediate pressure after his errors led to both Wast Ham goals. Estatic West Ham fans will be blowing bubbles all week.
Stoke City 0 – 1 Liverpool
The win was huge for Liverpool, as the Reds earned a measure of revenge and redemption against the Potters. Philippe Coutinho scored the best goal in all of Round 1. See what happened in our report and what it means in our verdict of LFC-Stoke.
Monday, Aug. 10
West Bromwich Albion 0 – 3 Manchester City
Many pundits are dismissing Manchester City’s title chances. City announced itself with an emphatic win over West Brom. The result was little surprise, but the scale of City’s dominance is eye-popping.
Thumbnail photo via Frank Augstein/The Associated Press
