fanatix highlights five key points we learnt from the opening day of Premier League 2013/14…
1) Maybe Manchester United don’t need to buy anyone…
Football fans have perhaps got bogged down by United’s continual failings in the transfer market this summer, and forgotten the fact that the current squad won the Premier League last term at a canter. Moyes’ men thrashed ambitious Swansea 4-1 away from home, and reminded everyone of how good a side they actually are.
2) Arsenal on the other hand, definitely do…
Arsenal fans chanted (or begged, depending on how you look at it…) for their club to spend some money during a miserable opening day defeat to Aston Villa – and it appears that they definitely need to. Despite a quick start, Arsenal lost 3-1 to the Birmingham club who battled relegation last season. A new centre-back and a striker is needed, badly.
3) Liverpool will be a force to be reckoned with if they can put the ball in the back of the net…
It is fair to say that Liverpool battered Stoke in the opening match of the Premier League season, but the Reds would have only left Anfield with a point had new keeper Simon Mignolet not kept out a late penalty. Daniel Sturridge scored the only goal of the game, but Liverpool will miss out on the top four if they fail to kill off teams like Stoke. Too many times last season the reds dominated possession and chances, only to draw or lose matches. Liverpool need to find a killer instinct, quickly.
4) Paulo Di Canio’s new faces could take time to settle at the Stadium of Light…
The maverick Italian manager fielded five debutantes in Sunderland’s home defeat to Fulham, starting Cabral, Jozy Altidore, Emmanuel Giaccherini, Ondrej Celustka and Valentin Roberge. It could take the new signings time to gel though, and Sunderland will disapopint at losing a very winnable home fixture. The Black Cats were the better side, but didn’t have anyone who seemed capable of putting the ball in the back of the net.
5) Benteke and Van Persie look set to top goalscoring charts once again…
While it is more or less guaranteed that Manchester United forward Robin Van Persie will score Premier league goals this term, there were concerns that Aston Villa forward Christian Benteke could be a ‘one season wonder’. The Belgian powerhouse silenced critics by bagging a brace at the Emirates, making the Arsenal defence look very shabby in the process. RVP did too in United’s thrashing of Swansea, and the two could well be vying for the Golden boot this season.
COMMENTS