The new season of the English Premier League began on a Friday night for the second time in succession. Like last year, Leicester City were involved and they lost to Manchester United by a 2-1 margin at Old Trafford.
Giving away a penalty within the first five minutes of the new season was not a good way to start for the Foxes. United consequently bossed the majority of the match with defender Luke Shaw chipping in to score a fine first goal in his club career. A late James Vardy goal was a mere consolation for Leicester.
United did not seem affected by all of manager Jose Mourinho's prediction of an adverse post-World effect.
Tottenham Hotspur, who had 16 squad players till the end of the World Cup, also won their first match against Newcastle United. The London-based club scored two goals within the first twenty matches with headers from World Cuppers Jan Vertonghen and Dele Alli.
Chelsea performed admirably after their humbling Community Shield loss. They won 3-0 away at Huddersfield. The icing on their performance was Jorginho's first Chelsea goal, a penalty converted via a toe-in finish.
Delight for Pep Guardiola, disappointment for Unai Emery
Defending champions Manchester City and their potentially closest rival, Liverpool, won comprehensively on Sunday.
Sadio Mane was in an offside position when he scored his first and Liverpool's second goal against West Ham United. The club went on to win 4-0, the biggest winning margin so far.
No VAR in the Premier League this year means more such moments will be scrutinized.
Manchester City did not need any such slice of luck with its second comprehensive 2-0 win over Unai Emery's Arsenal. Arsene Wenger may be out but other fundamental problems plaguing the club's play seemed to have persisted.
Fulham stutter after spending big
Newly promoted clubs Cardiff City and Fulham lost reminding them how difficult it can be for them to stay at the top. Fulham's loss was the more alarming considering the £104.5 million it spent in the transfer window.
Everton were another club which spent heavily — £85 million in buying players. They could only secure a 2-2 draw against newcomers Wolves. The Toffees were down to 10 men after 40 minutes following Phil Jagielka's red card. It managed to be ahead till the 80th minute until Mexican forward Raul Jimenez scored Wolves' second goal.
In other results, Watford won 2-0 against Brighton and Southampton and Burnley held each other to a goalless draw.
