The 2018-19 English Premier League season kicked off over the weekend, with the promoted teams, some big spenders and the usual suspects keen to gauge where they stood.
Chelsea and Manchester City cruised through their opening matches, against Huddersfield and Arsenal respectively, while Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United also took three points on the opening day.
Paul Pogba had the privilege of opening the scoring as the Red Devils accounted for Leicester City at Old Trafford and Watford, Crystal Palace and Bournemouth all began the season with wins.
Sunday threw up a clash between two clubs that opened their purse strings over the off-season in the hopes of a change in fortunes.
Despite a fourth-place finish last season, the 25-point discrepancy between Manchester City and Liverpool was unsustainable if the Reds hope to return to the glory days. Now an elitist competition, Liverpool fans expect the club to be an annual challenger for the league – or else.
West Ham United are a completely different kettle of fish. After slipping to well within the grasp of the evil serpent that is relegation, the Irons managed a late-season surge to eventually climb to 13th. The season mirrored others of recent decades and fuelled the fires of frustration.
As fans demanded answers, they rather aggressively began to take matters into their own hands. Investment and change was needed and, with money to spend, they called for new blood.
Managers have been the recent scapegoats. With one of the club’s favourite sons, Slaven Bilic, already having ridden into the managerial sunset after his exit in 2017, David Moyes had also appeared on a hiding to nothing when he took the reins soon after.
The season just past began horribly and only improved marginally, but a contender the Hammers were not.
Enter new gaffer Manuel Pellegrini and a host of recruits – worth around £100 million – and the fans have their wish. Felipe Anderson, Issa Diop, Andriy Yarmolenko and Jack Wilshere were significant acquisitions and with a total of nine new men on the books, West Ham could not be accused of withholding the tools Pellegrini feels he needs to compete.
[latest_videos_strip category=”football” name=”Football”]
Sunday saw the debut of five new players as West Ham faced Liverpool at Anfield.
It was a 4-0 rout in favour of the home team.
Despite Lukasz Fabianski looking solid in goal, the remainder of the new signings did little of note. Fabian Balbuena made fundamental errors in defence and Wilshere and Ryan Fredericks failed to have a significant impact.
Felipe Anderson produced a solid performance, yet it was difficult for any West Ham player to impress considering the lop-sided nature of the contest.
With much positive talk around the hopes of the Hammers, they may have overlooked the Reds’ own spending spree.
The £67 million spent on new ‘keeper Alisson Becker reflects just how important Jurgen Klopp saw a strengthening between the sticks. Throw in Naby Keita, Fabinho and Xherdan Shaqiri to an already star-studded squad – including Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah – and Liverpool are realistic challengers to City this campaign.
A further £150 million invested into a team that was already capable of reaching the Champions League final is an ominous sign.
West Ham were humiliated and Salah picked up exactly where he had left off. Claiming 32 goals in a Premier League season was an insane return for the Egyptian, yet with new, expensive and quality providers looking to tee him up, the chances of an encore performance look strong.
It loomed as one of the potential matches of the round and ended in a smorgasbord of goals for the home side, providing clear evidence that West Ham, with all the changes made over the summer, will need some time to gel.
Week 2 presents their chance for redemption when they tackle Bournemouth, while Crystal Palace will have their hands full combating a confident Liverpool that are looking to set the early pace in the championship race.
The match of the round will be Chelsea at home to Arsenal, with the Gunners desperate for a result after a loss to Manchester City on the opening weekend.
In terms of the draw, it has certainly been a baptism of fire for Arsenal and another loss would see them rattled early in the season.
The Doc
Roar Guru
cant speak for others but I am interested in the EPL and enjoyed the read. I know it was a tester but a bit more breadth next time (i hope there is a next time) covering more teams/depth would be great. I am not sure following A-league and EPL are mutually exclusive - I follow both keenly. Also why can t we have articles on EPL. if u dont like it, dont read it. As for what matters the football - city look the goods, mendy seems a brilliant addition after a year out with injury. but may take some time for teams to gel e.g. west ham and for others to get going after the WC. might be 1 horse race but lets see, Liverpool on paper seem the most likely to challenge. Never count a Jose coached team out either
Cousin Claudio
Roar Guru
Stuart, there is certainly a lot of interest in the EPL, especially while the A-League is hibernating. So keep up the EPL coverage. Its only the first round and people may be right that its only the usual suspects that have a chance to win it, but its such an interesting league with so many facets to observe. The football at times can range from the sublime to the ridiculous and the players and managers are entertaining in themselves. Liverpool were very very good and there were some other great games in round 1, but it was a bit sad that Matt Ryan and Aaron Mooy were so outclassed. Maybe fatigue from the world cup. Really looking forward to how the EPL season unfolds and many more fabulous goals. Must also confess a liking for the English Championship. Last season was particularly interesting with a sprinkling of Aussies among them. Will be following them again this season with great interest.
MQ
Guest
so you're agreeing with me?
Griffo
Roar Guru
I think the naming of the Western Grandstand after a footballer is held up due to the number of entries you could choose from. Sure you have Johnston, Baartz, Curran, Salisbury... ...best to name each bay and include everybody ?
Partyhat
Roar Rookie
Exactly, one of the most eye roll inducing comments that I see on the Roar is when someone immediately replies to any sort of article with “Why didn’t you write an article about ...........?” It’s nonsense, disagree and put your ideas related to the article in hand or........write it yourself ! (You write whatever you like Stuart)
Eden
Roar Rookie
I’d agree this site doesn’t get much conversation on EPL, but I also note that the Football community on here can be pretty hostile to anything non A-League, which I find really off-putting
Eden
Roar Rookie
I’m surprised there are no transfer fees. That and extras on deals for on sale help support the original system that produces the player.
Eden
Roar Rookie
I like it. If you could avoid the 95% focus on top 6 that would be great
Eden
Roar Rookie
Considering this is The Roar you could always write that MLS article yourself.
Eden
Roar Rookie
Nice write up but no mention of Everton. I think this is the third in four or five years that they drew 2-2 with a promoted side. I saw Wolves and genuinely thought about betting on that score. Anyway I will say that this year I am tempering my hopes and was actually ok with a draw...hopefully with Barcelona B filling our defence line we can get some more clean sheets. I also think Jagielka has given himself an early retirement by conceding that red card just as two new CB arrive at the club.
buddy
Guest
Nate - I didn't really see it as a complaint - more preferences. I have been a supporter for more decades than I care to remember and get my fill of EPL on a mixture of sites and podcasts. My observation is that whenever EPL is mentioned on the Roar, there is never much engagement although I tend to comment. So I was thinking more about the core business and values right here! Trouble is A League does not generate enough stories out of season in spite of the FFA Cup. I suggested MLS as I see huge similarities between the two competitions the real difference being the size of population. My thinking was that those who are really into EPL and other major leagues particularly in europe probable get their fill from other sources. Nothing wrong with adding another one, just a preference to be something different.
Midfielder
Guest
Kan Spot on .... the wheels of time can move very slowly at times.
Nate
Guest
There's a lot of us for that very reason Midfielder. Been following Liverpool since the old first division show used to be on ABC when I was a kid and that mainly comes down to Craig J. Forget the complaints above, there are enough of us here interested in reading about the EPL to make a column like this worthwhile.
Lionheart
Guest
good point Kanga - and why I believe we need transfer fees in Australia. City did well out of Brats, at nil cost, jets did ok out of Dimi, for nothing, and MV did well out of Doncs, for nothing. I think you guys may have recently picked up a young gun out of Olympic in Qld NPL (can't recall name off hand), for nil cost. There's some good young players in the NPL, some of those clubs could benefit greatly from transfer fees, trailing fees being not uncommon I believe.
Kangas
Roar Rookie
The mention of Aaron Mooy there reminds me to ask about the role of Melbourne city Mooy went via Melbourne city to Manchester city to Huddersfield . Did any of this transfer fee filter back to Mooy junior club in Sydney How about arzani ? With Riley Magree and lachy Wales the latest kids on their way to Melbourne city to hopefully play overseas . It appears all the financial reward goes to the city group for doing nothing . Why are central coast or terrigal not going to benefit from lachy Wales etc ? This system stinks . Surely there has to be a trickle down effect with transfer money
Lionheart
Guest
I enjoyed your little foray Stuart. I follow LFC (since my daughter married one), and love the EPL. This is a great year to follow LFC, given their new players. Keita was playing third division just a few years back in France, and has come through Red Bull teams. First time I'd seen him was on the weekend, looks a really good player. It's a good measure to see what our youngsters are up against if they want to make it to a big club. Also watch games with Australians, Mooy and Ryan. I don't see it as predicable given the number of spots that matter - not just #1 on ladder, but champions league and Europa league spots, relegation and promotion plus player movement and other Cups. But the A League is my game, first but not only.
Kangas
Roar Rookie
Speaking abt the mls I saw the Wayne Rooney assist for Dc United goal . Quality cross and determination to regain possession. Life in the old dog yet .
Nemesis
Guest
"The fact remains, nobody gives a damn about it (when compared to the big European leagues)." So what? You're an AFL fan. You keep telling us that it doesn't matter if nobody cares about your entire sport. What's the problem if people from each nation only care about their domestic club football and everyone has a 2nd team from a glamour league of Europe?
Kangas
Roar Rookie
Great story of perseverance Craig Johnston . From speers point to the solitude of a teenager in Middlesbrough to getting the call from Kenny daglish . Not a Liverpool fan myself, but proud that the little novacastrian scored a winning goal in a Fa cup final. They have to name a grand stand after Johnston and Baartz and the jets home ground . The state government is dithering on this .
Kangas
Roar Rookie
There’s been about 10 articles on the epl on the roar in the last week, which have not had much discussion. There are lots of discussions groups on lots of other sites re euro football also . Sure they are great players in Europe, but every league is really dominated by the few . For old timers like me , I can tell you Nottingham forest won European cups , Leeds and derby were kings of England, Norwich and Aberdeen beat Bayern Munich . Ipswich town and Aberdeen won Europe Trophies . Now that kind of variety is what makes interesting imo I think for me it’s a loyalty to Australian sport that I would rather watch and talk about A league and Npl clubs . I wish we had a discussion group for Npl clubs to be honest. The mariners have signed Jordan Murray from APIA , why didn’t Sydney fc Nab him ? Anyhow Murray father was an Newcastle footballer that made it in the Nsl with Wollongong. I hope he does well for ccm and we see a future Aussie striker . As for old Newcastle legends jimmy mcbreen son Daniel mcbreen has done it all . He still going at 42 and scored the winner for the mighty Edgeworth eagles to take them to 4 premierships in a row . Edgeworth have provided many a decent player and they are currently scattered around npl 1 Victoria at bentleigh greens mainly .