The 2015/2016 EPL Weekend-Round 1

The new EPL lived up to it's billing as the most exciting and unpredictable league on the opening weekend of fixtures.

There were goals, upsets, nervous moments and plenty of talking points.

Manchester United and Spurs got things moving in the day's early kick off. as opposed to last season, United were able to start this season with a win and a vital 3points against a stubborn Spurs side.
Although the perfomance wasn't vintage by all standards, Louis Van Gaal will have been delighted with the victory and more importantly the performances of his summer recruits. Darmian was the pick of the lot marshaling the right side of defence while offering a lot of attacking threat down that side. Schneiderlin slotted well in the midfield role alongside the experienced Carrick and he offered good cover to the back line. Memphis had a promising game although not to the level that will be expected of him as the season progresses. Sergio Romero making his debut in goal in the absence of De Gea had a good game making key saves in the second half, although his kicking and distribution is something he still has to work on. Schweinstiger came on as a second half substitute to also make his debut. United still have a lot of work to do. It is telling that Rooney, United's key striker rarely threatened as the service to him was non-existent. United had to wait past the hour mark to make their first attempt on goal. There still needs to be an element of speed and creative play in their game. Blind also looked a bit shaky in defence and it remains to be seen if Van Gaal will still acquire a central defender before the transfer window closes.

Arsenal were humiliated at home in their London derby against West Ham. This would not have been part of Arsene Wenger's plan but the way the Gunners capitulated was shocking. Petr Cech had a debut to forget but his errors only mask a bigger problem in that Arsenal were ineffective in almost every part of the pitch.
Oxlade Chamberlain was a rare bright spot for the Gunners and he seems destined for a big season coming up. Arsenal need to quickly put this defeat behind them and start to focus on the next match. The faster they can do that the better for them. The Gunners have had a good pre-season and they were widely expected to blow West Ham away. Arsenal should be able to overcome this disappointment and if they can get their act together this will only have been a rare bump on their way. Their have been calls for Wenger to add a striker and one Karim Benzema's name has popped up severally. I doubt Wenger will spend big on a striker and with Welbeck still to come, Arsenal should be able to have enough forwards for the season. Cech didn't endear himself to the Gunners faithfuls but he is experienced enough to let those errors affect him. He is still a world class Goalie and he will move past this. One thing though as much as plenty will see this as poor showing by Arsenal, the truth is West Ham played really well and deserved to win on he day.

Chelsea and Mourinho battled to a 2 all draw against Swansea in match that th Blues might feel lucky they didn't lose. Swansea are no stranger to claiming opening day scalps as they also beat Man United last season.
The Blues should expect a tough season defending their title since a lot of the teams will be approaching games against them with an extra bit of motivation. With the sending off Courtois, and with Cech gone, it means the Blues enter their next few games with summer signing Begovic as their goal keeper. It's a huge opportunity for Begovic to prove that he has what it takes to more than deputize for Courtois.
Next up for Chelsea is a tough game against Manchester City in a match more likely to help us gauge the shape of how the two title favorites are prepared for the season.

Liverpool claimed a hard fought 1 nil win over a dogged Stoke side that thrashed them 6-1 at the end of last season. Phillipe Coutinho picked up from where he left last season scoring a screemer to guarantee Brendan Rodgers 3 points. Rodgers is still trying to find out his best shape and when he eventually does, Liverpool might prove a force to reckon with. Not a wonderful display but Liverpool will know opening the season with a win does a lot for the team's morale and mental well being.

Manchester City were imperious in their 3 nil demolition of West Brom in the weekend's last match. Yaya Toure was back to his best dictating play in the center of the pitch alongside David Silva. I have stated before that this City side can win the league if their top players perform to their potential, something that was lacking last season. Toure, Silva and Kompany were way below par last season and that was largely the reason for their lacklustre defence of their title. For City and Pellegrini, the solution for them this summer wasn't necessarily buying new players but rather motivating the existing ones. I still feel Sterling was a waste of money and City did not need him. They have quality all over the pitch and City's only Achilles heel this season will be themselves.

TEAM OF THE WEEK
Adrian
Reid
Smalling
Richards
Soares
Silva
Toure
Mahrez
Montero
Coutinho
Gomis

Player of the week
Winston Reid