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

Arsenal 2-1 Westham

The Gunner’s, playing at the Emirates stadium for the first time this season were aiming to keep their hot winning streak intact when they welcomed Westham for an intriguing London derby. In other ranks, it was a Teacher-Student battle with Moyes going head to head with former trainee Arteta. Arsenal seemed to struggle in majority of the match, more so in the middle of the pack highlighting the need for further reinforcement in the holding and central midfield positions amid transfer speculations on these positions. The gunners got on the score sheet fast with Lacazette powering in amazing Aubameyang assist midway through the first half. Antonio continued his hot scoring streak in pulling Westham level and it was a 50-50 affair from their henceforth. Westham could indeed have taken the lead only for Antonio to power his towering header onto the crossbar when scoring seemed easier. They were forced to pay for the miss as substitute Nketiah netting the winner for the gunners who hold tight on their lead to emerge 2-1 Victors in the afternoon to ensure they bagged 6 out of 6 points while David Moyes’ men are still looking for their first point of the season after 2 attempts.

Chelsea 0-2 Liverpool

Two of last season’s top four sides clashed for the very first time as Klopp took the reigning champions to Stamford Bridge to face off against Lampard’s Chelsea. Chelsea named new boys Harvertz and Werner in attack alongside Mount while Klopp surprisingly named Fabinho in a centre back position with new boy Thiago Alcantara starting on the bench. Chelsea were set-up mainly to defend in the first half as they restricted the fabulous three of Mane, Salah and Firminho to few chances alongside restring the forward launches of fullbacks Alexander Arnold and Robertson. The game seemed to be going to plan for Chelsea until when they were reduced to 10-men following a rugby-like tackle by Christensen against Mane that was initially deemed a yellow card offence by the referee until the VAR assistant advised otherwise late in the opening half. Thiago was brought on at the beginning of the half that saw Mane head in to put the reds 1-0 up following a great team run. Error-prone, Chelsea Keeper, Kepa, showed the need for a new stopper by hitting a loose ball directly to Mane’s foot who had an easy work to finish in a couple minutes after the break to bring the game out of rich of the Blues. New boy Thiago brought down Germany international Werner in his first tackle of the match in the penalty box to hand Chelsea a lifeline. Veteran Jorginho stepped up but his trademark penalty was saved by Alisson to, only the first time he had missed from the spot for the Blues. Liverpool had to settle for two goals and backed all three points in a great afternoon’s work in London as they match on to try and defend their title.

Leicester City 4-2 Burnley

Leicester City continued their hot-start to the season by winning their second game in a row for the first time since January when they put four past a resolute Burnley side at the King Power stadium. Goals from Barnes, Justin, Praet and an own goal from Pieters did the trick for last season’s fifth place side while Wood and Dunne netted for Dyches’ men in their premier league opener. Leicester are now on top of the log, adrift by goal difference for the first time ever since their remarkable trophy win and long they wish it may continue.  

Newcastle Utd 0-3 Brighton

Newcastle United welcomed Brighton and Hove Albion at St. James Park on Sunday’s kick off game as they looked to built on their opening day win against West Ham. Those hopes were quickly dashed when Maupay scored early on from the penalty scored. Maupay was against on the scoresheet two minutes later to complete his brace in what was a truly frustrating match for the home side. Connolly scored later in the second half to cap of a remarkable evening for the visitors who were forced to end the match with ten man but Newcastle never troubled their keeper failing to master a single shot on target throughout the encounter.