Okay, so we’ve seen 90 minutes of action from each of the Premier League’s 20 teams during the opening weekend of the 2015-16 season and, as is always the case in August each year, plenty of people are jumping to hefty assumptions about each club.
Let’s pump the breaks a little and take a closer look at the five title contenders to see how they fared on the opening weekend and if there’s any correlation between these early displays and their title chances. Remember, it’s a long old season.
Chelsea: A 2-2 draw at home against Swansea City isn’t the perfect way to start a title defense. Throw in a shaky defensive display and your star goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois getting a red card and giving away a penalty kick and Jose Mourinho has certainly had better days at the office. Chelsea led 2-1 at the break against the Swans but Branislav Ivanovic had a nightmare against Jefferson Montero and Blues players lost individual battles across the pitch. Playing with 10-men for over 30 minutes wasn’t ideal, and this start to defending the crown they won in 2014-15 wasn’t ideal either. Mourinho wasn’t happy with his medical staff towards the end of the game as they left his side with nine-men, but the Blues show plenty of grit to grab a draw against an impressive Swansea side. It’s too early to drawn conclusions, but it certainly seems like the Blues will have a tougher time of winning the title this time around and most of that will be down to themselves and the fact that their rivals have spent big this summer.
Manchester City: Manuel Pellegrini’s men saw their odds to win the PL title slashed following their impressive demolition of West Bromwich Albion away from home on Monday. The Citizens strolled and led 2-0 after 25 minutes with Yaya Toure scoring a beauty and Vincent Kompany powering home a header to round off a 3-0 win. If Toure and Kompany regain their best form and stay fit this season — the regression of those two last season was key to City’s slump in the second half of the campaign — then they will push Chelsea all the way for the title. With Raheem Sterling, David Silva, Sergio Aguero, Wilfried Bony and possibly Kevin De Bruyne in attack, Pellegrini has an embarrassment of riches to choose from. The Chilean boss signed a contract extension on the eve of the season which will add stability, as City aim for success domestically and in Europe. The PL champions in two of the last four seasons looked the best of the bunch on the opening weekend and hungry to not finish in second once again.
Arsenal: As you can see in the video above from our analysts, just when everyone thought they were on the up, Arsenal’s problems persist as they fired a blank on the opening day and suffered a shock defeat to West Ham United. Over the offseason the Gunners won every single game, even beating Chelsea at Wembley in the Community Shield, and Arsene Wenger’s men looked to have solved their defensive issues with the signing of Petr Cech in goal. Think again. Cech, 33, has been their only signing of the summer and in his home debut against the Hammers he was at fault for both the goals Arsenal conceded. That’s not the way Wenger was expecting to start the season and if Arsenal are going to be genuine title contenders then bolstering their forward line is key.
Karim Benzema has been linked with a move to the Emirates and if Wenger is serious about winning the league for the first time since 2004, he must spend big on a striker in the final days of the window. There was lots of optimism around the Gunners this offseason, but most of that has already dissipated after a poor opening day result.
Manchester United: The Red Devils put in a workmanlike display against Tottenham Hotspur in their 1-0 opening day win, but it certainly wasn’t pretty from Louis van Gaal’s side. The new boys all settled in well, with Matteo Darmian looking particularly solid at right back, but you feel like they still need to strengthen at center back if they’re going to challenge for the title this season. And then there’s the issue with David de Gea to sort out. The Spanish international goalkeeper was sat to my left at Old Trafford in the stands on Saturday, as van Gaal said he wasn’t focused enough to play.
Asked afterwards if De Gea will ever play for United again, here is LVG’s response.
“Of course,” van Gaal explained. “Especially with the position of the goalkeeper, it is a position where you need the highest concentration, the highest focus during 90 minutes. When you are in circumstances where David de Gea is, it is difficult to cope with that. We have seen that, we have observed him in the matches against Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, and that was not the David de Gea — he felt the same — as last year. Of course when the situation has been cleared after the first of September, we look again. But I am very happy Sergio [Romero] did well.”
De Gea, 24, still hasn’t committed his future to United and rumors regarding a switch to Real Madrid remain as he has just one-year left on his current deal. New signing Sergio Romero stepped in and made some big saves late on after a shaky start, but de Gea was United’s star man last season. If he leaves and they can’t sign a new center back, United will be unlikely to make the top two.
Liverpool: As other teams stumbled to start the season, Brendan Rodgers’ boys exorcised a few demons and sealed a solid 1-0 win away at Stoke City. Philippe Coutinho’s stunning winner five minutes from time (see in the video below) was worthy of winning any game, but Liverpool’s display was still a little disjointed, but that’s to be expected. Going to the stadium where they closed out their 2014-15 season with the heaviest defeat of their PL history, 6-1, Liverpool rolled up at the Britannia on the opening day and looked more business than brilliant. With James Milner and Jordan Henderson in midfield, they have a solid base to build off and new full backs Nathaniel Clyne and Joe Gomez impressed in an improved defensive display. Going forward, Liverpool lacked spark, but that will come as Christian Benteke and Roberto Firmino settle in and Daniel Sturridge returns. Liverpool may not be many people’s title favorites, but maybe their additions this summer after the departures of Raheem Sterling and Steven Gerrard will give them a better chance of finishing in the top four than many previously thought.
DEBUT WATCH: HIT, MISS, MAYBE
There were plenty of players either making their bow in the Premier League, or just starting with new clubs after transferring over the summer.
After their opening day displays, let’s take a look at some of the players who looked the part, others who certainly did not and some we haven’t quite made our mind up about yet.
Hit
Reece Oxford (West Ham United) – Just 16 years old, Oxford is the second youngest player to start a game in PL history. He played 80 minutes and shackled Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey in the Hammers’ stunning 2-0 win. A huge prospect.
Dmitri Payet (West Ham United) – Another key part of West Ham’s big win, the man who signed from Marsielle this summer has bags of creativity and was the man threat going forward. Looks like a key addition for Slaven Bilic.
Reece Oxford, West Ham United
Andre Ayew (Swansea City) – Scoring on his debut for the Swans at Chelsea, the Ghanaian forward linked up well with Swansea other attackers (Montero, Sigurdsson and Gomis) and took his goal really well. Promising.
Georginio Wijnaldum (Newcastle United) – Could have had a debut hat trick on another day, but his towering header at the Gallowgate End put Newcastle 2-1 up in the second half. The Dutch midfielder made several lung-bursting runs. He’s already a fans favorite at St James’.
Matteo Darmian (Manchester United) – Louis van Gaal singled the Italian right back out in his post-match press conference as the best of United’s debutants. It’s hard to argue with that. Darmian was solid and steady in United’s 1-0 win at home vs. Spurs. His presence will help to steady the backline.
James Milner (Liverpool) – An experienced head in the center of midfield, exactly the type of player Liverpool needed to win away at Stoke on the opening day. Milner returning to his preferred role in the center will bring the best out of him.
Ibrahim Afellay (Stoke City) – Plenty of sparks to excite Stoke’s fans, as the former Barcelona winger dazzled out on the left wing. When Bojan comes back, those two will be a joy to watch.
Yohan Cabaye (Crystal Palace) – A debut goal wrapped up Palace’s 3-1 win at Norwich and it’s like Cabaye never left the PL. So graceful on the ball, he’s a calming influence in midfield.
Jose Holebas (Watford) – Solid and dependable at the back for Watford and had a hand in their first goal, the Greek international who signed from AS Roma this summer has real quality.
Sebastian Prodl (Watford) – Another new defensive signing shone for the Hornets, as Prodl was composed and Quique Flores’ men were unlucky to not beat Everton away on the opening dday.
Miss
Jordan Ayew (Aston Villa) – Hardly had a touch on his PL debut and was replaced by Rudy Gestede who subsequently scored the winner.
Aleksandar Mitrovic (Newcastle United) – Must have broken the record for the fastest-ever booking in PL history. Mitrovic came on in the second half and could have got a red card for lunging into Matt Targett. Lucky boy. Not a great first impression.
Petr Cech (Arsenal) – Well, that didn’t go to plan. Cech came flying out in full Superman mode but missed the ball on West Ham’s first goal, then for their second he went down in installments as Zarate’s shot bobbled past him. Poor debut from the man who was meant to be Arsenal’s savior.
First game like this was not in the script – Mistake and no points 😒 but tomorrow is another day to get ready for the next game ! 😉 #COYG
Younes Kaboul (Sunderland) – The French center back had a day to forget on his Sunderland debut. Kaboul and the Black Cats were all over the place at the back and trailed 3-0 at half time. Oh dear.
Tom Cleverley (Everton) – Roberto Martinez managed Cleverly at Wigan Atheltic in the past so knows what he is all about, but the former Manchester United midfielder did little to suggest his patchy form for Aston Villa last season has dissipated.
Maybe
Depay, left, had a decent debut.
Memphis Depay (Manchester United) – Some flashes of brilliance, especially early on, but Memphis (as he wants to be known) didn’t look happy when he was hauled off early in the second half. Jury is out.
Joe Gomez (Liverpool) – The 19-year-old is a right back by trade but Liverpool deployed him at left back against Stoke and he did well. Can he make the spot his own ahead of Moreno?
Sergio Romero (Manchester United) – Two really good saves late on from Christian Eriksen proved that there may well be life after David de gea at Manchester United. Distribution was sloppy though.
Angelo Ogbonna (West Ham United) – A powerful display from the West Ham center back who was key in their clean sheet at the Emirates Stadium. Looks the real deal alongside Winston Reid.
Rudy Gestede (Aston Villa) – Only took 13 minutes for him to score on his Villa debut and what a superb header it was. Tim Sherwood raves about his aerial ability and after excelling with his beautiful bonce in the Championship, Gestede made a dream start. Now, can he become more than an impact player?
NEW BOYS ON THE BLOCK
New boys Bournemouth, Watford and Norwich City struggled on the opening weekend as both Norwich and the Cherries lost at home. Watford came within a few minutes of beating Everton away from home and were good value for their point, as the Hornets’ host of new signings and new manager Quique Flores may have the best chance of staying up this season. Very promising start from the Hertfordshire club who were relegated at the first time of asking in their two previous seasons in the PL.
For Bournemouth, their first-ever PL game ended in a frustrating defeat down at the Vitality Stadium. Basking in the sunshine on the South Coast of England, Eddie Howe’s boys started off brightly and should have led but Marc Pugh, Dan Gosling and Callum Wilson were all guilty of missing gilt-edged chances in the first half. Then, they were welcomed to the PL and its brutality in the second half as Aston Villa stepped up through the gears and Gestede’s header gave them all three points despite the Cherries bossing most of the game and creating plenty of chances. Welcome to the Premier League.
As for Norwich, they could also feel slightly aggrieved. They started brightly too, with Alex Neil’s side flying out of the traps at home to Crystal Palace. But then Lewis Grabban missed a glorious chance six-yards out in the first half and either side of half time sloppy defending cost them dear with Wilfired Zaha and Damien Delaney punishing the Canaries. Again, welcome back to the Premier League. To their credit, Norwich rallied late on at Carrow Road with Nathan Redmond pulling one back and Cameron Jerome inexplicably having what looked to be a perfectly good equalizer ruled out for a high foot, but Neil’s side were naive defensively and that will cost you dear when you’re back in the big time.
GOALS GALORE ON OPENING WEEKEND
30 goals were scored this weekend in the Premier League, as any early season apprehension went out the window. From a thriller at St James’ Park between Newcastle and Southampton, to slack defending at Stamford Bridge and the King Power Stadium, we had plenty of good finishes and terrible defending which always combines for a good time for neutrals.
If this weekend is a precursor of what is to come, we are in for a goal-fest in the PL this season. Check out the video above which has every single goal scored on Saturday. While the video below has all the goals from Sunday.
USMNT CORNER: GUZAN, HOWARD, CAMERON ALL START
Three out of the four U.S. men’s national team players with PL clubs started at the weekend, but Brad Guzan was the only victor. The Aston Villa goalkeeper made a superb reaction save just before half time at Bournemouth as he blocked Marc Pugh’s thunderous effort to seal a clean sheet. Elsewhere, Tim Howard and Everton struggled against Watford with the Toffees twice falling behind but they managed to grab a point late on.
As for the other USMNT players in the PL, DeAndre Yedlin was not in Tottenham Hotspur’s 18-man squad for their 1-0 defeat at Manchester United, while Geoff Cameron started and played the full 90 minutes at center back for Stoke City in their narrow 1-0 defeat to Liverpool. If Cameron gets some serious minutes at center back in the first few months of the season in the heart of Stoke’s defense, which he is very likely to do after a solid start, Jurgen Klinsmann will almost certainly play him at CB for the Confederations Cup playoff game against Mexico in October… right?
Premier League Playback comes out every week as PST’s Lead Writer and Editor takes an alternative look at all the action from the weekend. Read the full archive, here.
Tied at 0-0 from the first leg of the final in San Nicolas on Thursday, the advantage is with red-hot Chivas as their stunning recent form saw them win their final four games of the Clausura regular season to finish third in the table before beating Atlas and Club America in the playoffs.
Victor Guzman and Alexis Vega are Chivas’ main attacking threats as they will keep it tight defensively and the energy of the home crowd at Akron Stadium should be a huge help as Chivas aim to win their first Clausura title since 2017, when they also beat Tigres in the final.
Tigres finished seventh in the Clausura standings and beat Toluca and Monterrey to reach the final. The duo of Sebastian Cordova and Andre-Pierre Gignac are their main hope of winning on the road in Guadalajara and lifting the trophy.
Below is everything you need for Chivas vs Tigres, one of whom will be crowned as the Clausura champions on Sunday.
Borussia Dortmund gave the Bundesliga title to heated rivals Bayern Munich on a shocking final day in the Bundesliga, a stunning collapse that left a ready-to-party Westfalenstadion in mourners’ status.
Bayern took an early lead through Kingsley Coman at Koln and Dortmund went down 2-0 in the first half versus Mainz, missing a penalty that would’ve tied the score at 1.
Dortmund entered the day with the table lead and dominated Mainz to the tune of 26-7 in shots and 3.64-0.62 in expected goals, but Andreas Hanche-Olsen and Karim Onisiwo’s goals were enough as only Giovanni Reyna’s set-up of Raphael Guerreiro got Dortmund on the board in a 2-1 loss.
Koln briefly gave hope with a penalty equalizer in the 80th minute versus Bayern, but Jamal Musiala’s 89th-minute goal put the defending champions back in front.
Dortmund would’ve won the league by matching or bettering Bayern’s result and but Instead hand an 11th-straight Meisterschale to the Bavarians. No one has won more German top-flight titles than Bayern’s 33.
BVB remains on eight Bundesliga titles and remains one behind Nurnberg, which has not won since 1968.
MAINZ TAKE LEAD AT DORTMUND 🇩🇪 If results hold, Bayern win 11th straight German title. Bundesliga scriptwriters trying to one-up Premier League counterparts.pic.twitter.com/dXn5Ruk5If
Luton Town overcame a blown lead in regulation to earn a place in the Premier League by outlasting Coventry City in penalties during Saturday’s playoff final at Wembley Stadium.
USMNT goalkeeper Ethan Horvath watched as Fankaty Dabo’s penalty sailed over the goal to give the Hatters a 6-5 win after 120 minutes ended 1-1 and neither team missed on 11-straight attempts from the spot.
In 2018 Luton and Coventry were both in the fourth-tier of English football. Now Luton is joining Sheffield United and Burnley in the top flight.
Jordan Clark scored Luton Town’s goal, while Gustavo Hamer leveled the line for Coventry City.
Coventry City vs Luton Town as it happened:
GOAL! Luton’s taken the first five shots of the match and now one’s found the back of the goal. It’s Jordan Clark who belts home in the 23rd minute to put the Hatters on top! Luton Town, 1-0
CHANCE! It’s Elijah Adebayo, who assisted the opener, who can’t quite get a very decent chance right, as Luton is looking to put an early vice grip on the final. Still 1-0, 30′.
Shots are up to 9-0 in favor of the Hatters but the total xG is still below 1.00. Coventry has to wake up, but maybe they’d take getting to halftime down one at this point.
The 11th shot of the game is Coventry’s, and it’s a high volley that slashed over the goal. Off-balance and improbable, but Coventry will be hopeful it’s a sign that they’re coming into the affair; Soon after, a rush is bungled but into the Luton third.
HALFTIME: Luton Town 1, Coventry City 0 — (Clark 23′)
SECOND HALF: Coventry has more of the ball and is building off its late first half, but Luton looks well-drilled into its system despite the concession of some set pieces.
Good news on a scary-looking injury for Luton star Tom Lockyer:
We are able to report that after collapsing on the pitch, Tom Lockyer has been taken to hospital for further tests.
He is responsive and talking to his family, who are with him.
GOAL! And the Sky Blues are level! It’s Brazilian-born Dutch youth international Gustavo Hamer who has it so with a solid finish, though the playmaking’s come from star performer Viktor Gyokeres. It’s all on now at Wembley! 1-1, 66′
A dangerous free kick in stoppage time for Luton after a very questionable foul, but fate makes sure this one doesn’t end with ignominy. Are we headed for penalties? Extra time is almost certain deep in stoppage.
xG is basically even after 90 minutes, as are shot attempts, and anything can happen when it comes to the 20th berth in the 2023-24 Premier League season.
END OF 90: Coventry City 1, Luton Town 1 — (Clark 23′, Hamer 66′)
INJURY! USMNT keeper Ethan Horvath is down for treatment 11 minutes into the first frame of extra time, which has otherwise been a scrappy period. Looks like he’s going to try to continue despite dropping to the pitch after a long goal kick.
END OF FIRST ET PERIOD: Coventry City 1, Luton Town 1 — (Clark 23′, Hamer 66′)
Not much happened there. Nerves? Can someone seize history in the next 15 or will we go to pens?
NO GOAL! Joe Taylor has it in the goal for Luton off a bad giveaway but VAR, not used in the regular season, spots a handball and the Hatters won’t win it here. We’re going to penalties.
END OF SECOND ET PERIOD: Coventry City 1, Luton Town 1 — (Clark 23′, Hamer 66′)
Horvath was a penalty hero for the USMNT in the CONCACAF Nations League against Mexico, while well-traveled Ben Wilson is between the sticks for Coventry. Here we go…
X Carlton Morris goal for Luton 1-0
X Matty Godden goal for Coventry 1-1
X Taylor goal for Luton 2-1
X Viktor Gyokeres goal for Coventry 2-2
X Marvelous Nakamba goal for Luton 3-2
X Ben Sheaf goal for Coventry 3-3
X Jordan Clark goal for Luton 4-3
X Josh Eccles goal for Coventry 4-4
X Luke Berry goal for Luton 5-4
X Liam Kelly goal for Coventry 5-5
X Daniel Potts goal for Luton 6-5
X Fankaty Dabo miss for Coventry 6-5
Coventry City vs Luton Town player ratings: Stars of the Show
Luton Town boss Rob Edwards left rival club Watford in November and the risky maneuver has paid off for the coach and club. Viktor Gyokeres is the club’s 21-goal scoring hero and he’s chipped in 11 assists as well, and Gustavo Hamer has been sensational as well.
Coventry City manager Mark Robins has been with the club since 2017 and it’s been up-up-up. Carlton Morris leads the way with 20 goals, while Alfie Doughty and Tom Lockyer have been key players, too, with Lockyer scoring in three of the Hatters’ last four matches.
Championship playoff schedule, how to watch, updates
Dates: Final – Saturday, May 27 at 11:45am ET Updates: Via scoreboard on NBCSports.com How to watch: ESPN+
Can Manchester United’s new-look side keep its place in the top four? What about Newcastle? Is Tottenham going to turn things around to claim a place or will another new name, Brighton or Aston Villa, make their claim? Liverpool’s not out of this, either…
How will the new boys get on? Who will be the surprise package? Can Chelsea salvage any pride from the season? Who will stay up in the congested scrap against relegation?
Those questions will be answered from August 2022 to May 2023, with the full list of Premier League fixtures.
While below are the answers to all of the questions you have around the Premier League fixtures and everything else you need to know for the upcoming season, with full details on the Premier League TV schedule across the NBC family of channels and more.
The Premier League fixtures for the 2022-23 season were announced on Thursday June 16, 2022 at 4am ET. Below is the full schedule, as you can watch all 380 games across our NBC platforms.
The Premier League fixture computer decides who plays who and when, as teams located close to one another are usually playing at home on opposite weekends to help with policing, crowd control and transport congestion in those areas.
When did the Premier League take a break for the 2022 World Cup?
When will the 2022-23 Premier League season finish?
The final day of the season will be on Sunday, May 28, 2023.
Which teams will compete in the 2022-23 Premier League?
These are the 20 teams which will compete in the Premier League for the upcoming season:
Arsenal, Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Brentford, Brighton and Hove Albion, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Everton, Fulham, Leeds United, Leicester City, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United, Wolverhampton Wanderers
Predictions for 2022-23 Premier League season
We made a few bold predictions ahead of the Premier League campaign, which you can read in full here. And we’ve also predicted how we think the Premier League table will look at the end of the 2022-23 campaign. I’m sure you agree wholeheartedly with these predictions…
2022-23 Premier League TV schedule
Below are the Premier League fixtures in full, with all kick offs listed at 10am ET unless otherwise stated:
, 2023