Premier League Week 2 Wrap-up

Manchester continues early dominance

One side of Manchester was excited on Friday as United cruised to their second win in as many games. The game featured a brace from Zlatan Ibrahimović, Paul Pogba made his first start, and Mourinho got another three points.

For much of the first half, the game was very even as both sides had scoring opportunities, but you could just see that extra bit of skill that United had that could lead to a goal. The first goal came way of a cross from Wayne Rooney that set up Ibrahimović for his first goal. Zlatan completely outmuscled the defender and got his head on the ball to put it in the back of the net.

The second came after Jordy Clasie tripped up Luke Shaw and gave United a penalty. Who other than Ibrahimović would step up and rocket the ball into the corner for his second goal of the night. The second half was more one-sided as United were coming close to putting this game out of hand for Southampton.

In the end Zlatan totals three goals after his first two games which sets him on a pace to continue his outrageous scoring from last season with PSG. In his first start, Pogba looked brilliant and despite not being on the score sheet, he could have easily been with his fancy footwork and great passes. But United fans were not the only happy ones in Manchester over the weekend.

The next day, Pep Guardiola saw his team earn a dominant win over Stoke City. Manchester City controlled the game and had many chances to score while Stoke only had a few chances throughout the game. The man who has scored many of Manchester City’s goals in the past few seasons scored the first goal of the match. Ryan Shawcross gave a penalty over to Manchester when he pushed down Nicolás Otamendi in the box. Sergio Agüera calmly slotted the ball into the net to score. Agüero also scored the second when Kevin De Bruyne delivered a brilliant free kick that came to Agüero.

Stoke had a good bit attack later in the match. After a good play in the box perhaps should have resulted in a penalty, as Joe Allen was fouled inside the box, Mike Dean waved it off. Not long after, Stoke were awarded a penalty as Raheem Sterling held back Ryan Shawcross in the box that resulted in the call being made. Bojan Krkic scored the penalty bringing the score to 2–1 in favor of Manchester City.

Manchester put the game away at the end of the match as Nolito scored two goals. The first goal he was in the right space at the right time as Kelechi Iheanacho did most of the work in the box to earn the opportunity. Noltio’s second goal came in a similar fashion as Sterling slid it over to Nolito to score a fairly easy goal.

Both Manchester teams have looked great in their first two games and their new managers seem to be implementing their plans to great success. We will see if this success can continue in the long term, and in other competitions, for these teams.

Liverpool Upset

Coming off of a close win over Arsenal, Liverpool suffers a defeat at the hands of newly promoted Burnley. The first goal from Burnley came in the second minute of the match as Same Vokes, fresh from an exciting Euro tournament with Wales, does well to put the ball into the net giving Burnley a lead.

Liverpool had their chances but could not convert. Burnley took advantage of this and scored another goal late in the first half as a quick counter attack was finished off by a lovely goal from Andre Grey. Firmly on the back foot at this point, Liverpool continued searching for a goal, but no matter what they did Liverpool could not find the back of the net.

Although this is only the second game of the season, Jürgen Klopp’s team will have some work to do to clean up and win games in a more convincing fashion. A tight three points and a loss to a bottom of the table team does not bode well for the title hopes of Liverpool.

Tottenham and Everton get their first win

After a struggle against Everton, Tottenham looked as if they were continue in much the same way against Crystal Palace. Spurs could not find the back of the next against a strong Crystal Palace defense but in the 82nd minute, Tottenham found their winner. A cross into the box comes to Victor Wanyama who does not falter as he heads the ball into the net, getting three points for Tottenham, which will be a much welcomed win.

After barely missing three points in their game against Tottenham, Everton travel to West Bromwich Albion and suffer an early setback. The first goal was scored in the 9th minute when a corner was swung in and Gareth McAuley rose above the defenders to meet it with his head and get a goal for West Brom. The Everton keeper, Maarten Stekelenburg, felt like he was fouled but no call was made and West Brom is up 1–0 early in the game.

Everton struggled to fight back, not creating many chances on goal. But in stoppage time of the first half they found their equalizer by way of brilliant play between Gareth Barry, Ross Barkley, and the play was capped off by a Kevin Mirallas goal. Everton did not wait long to find the winner as Barry scored a goal. The goal was started by a deep corner that fell to Mason Holgate who took the ball on a volley, driving it into the ground for a bounce. The ball came to the back post and Barry was there to meet it with his head and put it just past the keeper. Everton find their first win of the season and will play Stoke City in their next game.

Chelsea wins late again

Chelsea made their fans sweat, again, as a late goal secured Antonio Conte and his players another three points. Etienne Capoue the scoring was started by as he put Watford up 1–0. A deep cross from the right side fell perfectly for Capoue as he rocketed the ball past Thibaut Courtois in the 55th minute.

Chelsea made their response after Hazard fired a shot on goal; Heurelho Gomes saved the ball but could not hold onto it as Michy Batshuayi poked the ball home. This is Batshuayi’s first Premier League goal after he had a showing at the Euro’s playing for Belgium. The winner came from Diego Costa, as he became Chelsea’s savior again. Cesc Fàbregas played a brilliant through ball to the charging Costa who found the space to put the ball between Gomes’ legs and secure another win for Chelsea.

Though Chelsea are at the top of the table with six points after two games, not all is great at Stamford Bridge. Neither of the teams Chelsea played are title contenders in most experts eyes, yet Chelsea has still struggled and took until the end of the game to narrowly win. Chelsea’s first big test will come against Liverpool on Septmber 16th, which should give the squad some time to start working well and get tactics in order to face top teams.

Leicester and Arsenal continue slow start

Arsenal have had a tough opening to their season as last week they narrowly lost to Liverpool, and this week they play the champions, Leicester City, to a draw. Arsenal had the majority of chances early on but none of them were converted. As the game wore on, Leicester started taking more of the chances, pressing the attack.

The big controversy of the game came when Riyad Mahrez played a fantastic through ball to Jamie Vardy. However Petr Cech was quick to come off his line and saved the ball from Vardy’s feet. The play was not over as Daniel Drinkwater came in to clean up the ball but he was thrown off by a challenge from Laurent Koscielny. Leicester called for a penalty but the ref did not see it as such, keeping play going with the score ending 0–0.

Neither team will say this is a bad result, but neither will say it is a good one. Both teams are coming off of tough loss’s only to secure one point in their first two games. Both of these teams would consider themselves title favorites but must start getting results to achieve that goal.

Other scores from around the league

Hull City move towards the top of the league with 6 points after their 2–0 win over Swansea City. Middlesbrough gets a 2–1 victory over Sunderland. And West Ham United earn their first win at their new stadium with a 1–0 victory over Bournemouth