S_ForSoccer Match Day 2 Review of English Premier League (EPL) 2020/2021 Season Part 1

Everton 5-2 West Brom

Veteran Carlo Ancelotti guided the new look Everton side to a second consecutive victory in an amazing style in a 5-2 demolition against newly promoted West Brom. Englishman Dominic Calvert-Lewin specifically impressed in bagging his first ever career hattrick in a superb performance with Keane and new boy James Rodriguez bagging the other goals for them. West Brom got up with the best possible start with Diangana netting a superb goal from outside the penalty box before Everton drew level and took the lead 2-1 heading into the break. West Brom were later reduced to 10 Men before the 45 Minute with their manager Bilic being sent off also at the break following his confrontation with the referee at the break, who seemed annoyed of the first half sending off. Pereira buried in a superb freekick early in the second 45 to briefly level the tie 2-2 before Everton scored 3 in a second half massacre to maintain their 100% start to the season. The midfield 4 of Andre Gomes, James, Allan and Doucoure are starting to click for Everton and it won’t be surprising seeing them guide their side to a European finish this season. West Brom will need to improve very fast to maintain their league statues.

Leeds 4-3 Fulham

THE MOST BORING FIXTURE OF THE WEEK? On paper, you would be forgiven for uttering this statement. But immediately the referee blew the first whistle in this tie, there was great entertainment on show, the new EPL boys impressed, attacking each other excellently at every opportunity, it proved the best entertaining thing to catch up on in the weekend. No side defended resolutely in the tie with the new sides proving that they could be the best entertainers in the League with just two rounds of fixtures played. They each conceded a silly penalty a piece in the first half that finished with Leeds leading 2-1 at the break. In the second half, Leeds attacked profusely and scored to go 4-1 at an instant, before suddenly allowing West Brom back in the tie to go 4-3, giving the game a thrilling finishing to the game. Bamford particularly impressed for Leeds, topping up his performance with a goal, Klich scored as well with Costa scoring a brace. For West Brom, Mitrivic scored twice alongside a Reid’s goal to end the seven-goal thriller 4-3 in favour of the home side. The two sides will need to improve defensively in the course of the campaign to survive. This makes it 2 losses in two for Fulham with Leeds earning their first EPL victory and have scored 7 goals already in the season.

Manchester United 1-3 Crystal Palace

Manchester United finally got on the pitch for the first time in 20120/2021 season welcoming Crystal Palace at the theatre of the dreams. United who had finished the season third and unbeaten in the league since January were looking to start the season with a bang and maybe launch a serious title hunt this season having fallen at the semi-final of all the cups they competed in last season. All these dreams were completely dashed at the theatre with Crystal bossing the Old Trafford making it their own palace. De Gea was beaten first by Townsend following a calamitous defending from Victor Lindelof. Crystal lead 1-0 at the break without United really threatening except a long-range attempt from Pogba who was making a first appearance since his positive Covid-19 test. Mensah, starting in-place of the rested Wan-Bissaka, on the right flank alongside James failed to cause the Palace defence troubles in the opening half leading to its substitution at the break for the 18-year wonder boy Mason Greenwood who should have scored via a free header on an amazing close by Mensah. Lindelof accidentally held the ball in the box and the referee didn’t spot it on time. Play continued for a while until when the VAR referee notified the referee to look back at the situation and awarded a penalty for Palace amidst much protest from the Red Devils. Ayew took the spot-kick, and hit the ball rather tamely allowing De Gea to save it, however it was determined that the keeper had overstepped his line before the spot kick was taken resulting in a retake. Zaha stepped up and scored to put Palace two goals ahead. Pogba was replaced by new signing Van de Beek and the new boy didn’t waste time to get on the score-sheet to briefly bring United back into the tie. Any chances of a comeback were completely dashed as Zaha raced passed Lindelof to score yet again against his former employers. The match ended 3-1 in favour of the visitors who kept their unblemished start to the new season. United lost the opening tie of the season for the first time since 2014 under Dutchman Louise Van Gaal.