S_ForSoccer Match Day 1 Review of English Premier League ( EPL ) 2020/2021 Season Part 1

S_ForSoccer Match Day 1 Review of English Premier League ( EPL ) 2020/2021 Season

The EPL 2020/2021 Season is up and running, and as it has been in the new normal, soccer is being played behind closed doors. 16 of the 20 Teams were in action with the two Manchester giants being granted a one-week break following their mini-European tournament involvement thus their opponents Burnley and Aston Villa got a 7-day breather as well. How it faired:-

Fulham 0-3 Arsenal: (Lacazette, Gabriel, Aubameyang). 

The new boys Fulham welcomed Arsenal at The Craven Cottage to signal the start of the season. Arsenal under old boy Mikel Arteta, fresh from winning the community shield were determined to have a great start to the season and they got just that with Lazazette, Gabriel and Aubameyang providing a goal piece to their big win.  The result was buoyed by new signing Willian who amazed on his start with 2 assists and playing a great role in Lacazette’s opener having forced an error from Fulham’s shot stopper. Another new signing Gabriel had an amazing debut, keeping a clean sheet and topping up the display with a towering header to give the Gunners an amazing start to the season. Fulham, managed by former player Scott Parker would be scratching their heads following the loss having done enough to deserve at least a goal, if not a point for their brave display. They controlled possession and the match for majority of the game but couldn’t create enough clear-cut chances to threaten the Arsenal’s back five, nor test the returning goalkeeper Leno. More great news for the Gunners’ faithful was that their captain Aubameyang signed a new lucrative deal to keep him at the club for the foreseeable future, making him the highest earner in the premiership. Fulham will have to adapt quickly to the demands of the premier league and at least avoid the drop at the first time of asking.

Brighton 1-3 Chelsea: (Maupay—Jorginho, James, Zouma)

After a summer transfer window where Chelsea have brought in amazing players from Werner to Ziyech, Thiago Silva to Havertz etc., the Blues campaign promises to be fascinating and productive for their faithful. Werner paired Havertz in attack as the other recruits were not included in the starting eleven, either due to injury or lack of match fitness. Werner terrorised the Brighton’s defence with his pace and won a first half penalty in the process when he was clumsily brought down by Ryan. Penalty Veteran Jorginho stepped up and put the blues ahead at the break. Brighton made a great start to the second half and were rewarded when Maupay curled in one from outside the box to beat Kepa, who needs and surely will be replaced in the near future for a more reliable stopper. Brighton missed their faithful followers at the Amex stadium who would have pushed them to hold on the game and earn a point or a couple from the tie. James curled in even a better shot in the top corner and set up Zouma to score from the corner shortly after to give the Blues three vital away points. Chelsea will need to improve in their defence having allowed in 13 attempts from their opponents and with Thiago Silva and Ben Chillwell joining their back-line soon, their fans will be forgiven for dreaming of a first trophy under all-time top scorer Frank Lampard.

West Brom 0-3 Leicester: (Castagne, Vardy brace) 

Leicester and Rodgers began the 2020/2021 season with a bang against the Hawthorns who were making a return to the league after a two-season hiatus. Last season’s top scorer Vardy buried in two penalties after new signing Castagne put the foxes ahead in a second half they ran riot.