What We Learned From The Premier League’s Opening Weekend

We’re so glad the Premier League is back. The English top flight got underway for the 2022-23 season last weekend and there are plenty of talking points. We made five bold predictions ahead of the campaign, but we have some results and performances to go off now.

So, we’ve made three observations after match day one, do you agree with our picks?

Haaland will be vital for City

Erling Haaland was one of the most high-profile moves of the Summer and it’s little wonder why. The Norwegian forward scored goals for fun for Borussia Dortmund and has hit the ground running in England for Manchester City.

It’s not just the fact Haaland scored two goals against West Ham, but the way he did so. After missing a sitter the previous week against Liverpool in the Community Shield, the pressure was on the big man. However, that didn’t faze him, as Haaland confidently converted a perfectly-placed penalty at the London Stadium.

It was Haaland’s second goal though, which really showed his talents. At 6’4”, pace shouldn’t be one of his strongest attributes, but Haaland showed his star quality. City’s new number nine broke free of the West Ham defence and powered the ball home to double his tally and the visitor’s lead.

It was truly unstoppable and if this is anything to go by, City will take some beating again this season.

However, what’s most impressive was that Haaland said he should’ve scored a hat-trick and pointed out he and his team hadn’t score in 30 minutes in his post-match interview. This young man has the best attitude around, if he scored 30 goals this season, he’ll say he should’ve got 40, he’ll never be satisfied.

United have serious work ahead of them

It’s all come crashing down for Manchester United just one week in. Erik ten Hag’s reign in Manchester has got off to the worst possible start, as United fell to their first ever home defeat against Brighton on Sunday.

United’s failures in the transfer window are well-documented, but it was just as bad on the pitch. The Red Devils were wide open at the back and failed to produce many attacking moves. When the home side did go forward, they were regularly let down with poor final balls.

Credit to Brighton though, they played some excellent football. If anything, the result should’ve been more in the Seagulls’ favour, as they were denied a stonewall penalty and Scott McTominay should’ve received a red card in the first half.

One of the few positive for the Red Devils was Christian Eriksen, who looked back to his best at Old Trafford.

Ten Hag is an excellent coach, but he’s not the primary reason for United’s struggles post-Ferguson. The Dutchman deserves time, but how much the board will award him is anybody’s guess. The same can be said of Cristiano Ronaldo, as rumours about the Portuguese legend leaving Manchester for a second time aren’t going away.

Leicester could be in trouble

It wasn’t that long ago that Leicester City were on top of the footballing world. Now though, the Foxes seem to be lost in the woods and their opening weekend result will do little to quell fears. We’re not suggesting that Leicester will be relegated, they’re too good for that, but European dreams may not be realised.

Leicester have signed literally nobody in the transfer window so far. On the outs, they’ve lost experienced goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel and there are strong rumours around a handful leaving before the window shuts.

Leicester were 2-0 up but Brentford, to their credit, mounted an excellent comeback to tie the game. That is definitely two points lost for the home side and a pair they cannot afford to have lost. With the likes of West Ham, Wolves, Newcastle and more all vying for the final European places, this result could be one Brendan Rodgers’ men look back on bitterly.