5 Things We Learned From Premier League’s Opening Weekend

The Premier League finally kicked off last weekend after a 3-month break, and the first gameweek has already delivered several talking points for football fanatics.

It’s fair to suggest that the opening Premier League gameweek delivered on its immense promise and hype. Fans were treated to some spellbinding football and plenty of late drama. So, here’s the five things we learned from the opening weekend of Premier League action. 

1) Manchester City are still the team to beat 

After a summer in which they have just signed Savio, many felt that Manchester City would find it difficult to clinch their fifth successive Premier League title. However, their first game of the season against Chelsea proved that the Citizens aren’t going to take their foot of the gas. The Citizens were without key starters like Rodri, John Stones and Kyle Walker. Despite this, Pep Guardiola’s men made lightwork of a Chelsea side which is value at over a billion dollars. 

This game also showed the tactical brilliance of Pep Guardiola’s mind. Last season, Pep’s City struggled against sides who pressed with a 4-2-4 system. Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca used the same tactic at the beginning. However, Pep improvised and used Kevin De Bruyne as a tertiary winger, which created for City players to exploit. This tactical tweak forced Maresca to abandon his 4-2-4 pressing system by halftime. Pep also used young fullback as the holding midfielder, which gave Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne the license to pop up in dangerous half spaces. Their commanding 2-0 win against Chelsea laid down a marker that they are still the best team in England. 

2) Liverpool is in good hands 

Liverpool fans were filled with apprehension when Jurgen Klopp announced his departure. However, it looks like the Liverpool hierarchy may have found the perfect Klopp replacement in Arne Slot. The Reds have started the 2024/25 season in impressive fashion under the Dutch head coach. Following an undefeated preseason campaign, Liverpool started their Premier League campaign with a professional 2-0 win against newly promoted, Ipswich Town. 

Despite securing the win, Liverpool were nowhere near their fluent best. In fact, many felt that Ipswich were the better side in the first half. However, following the break, the Reds asserted their dominance. And on the stroke of the hour mark, Diogo Jota scored the first goal of the Slot era. Trent Alexander-Arnold was instrumental in that move. Any hopes of an Ipswich comeback were killed, as just five minutes later, Mo Salah doubled Liverpool’s lead. The Reds comfortably closed the game out to get their Premier League season off to a perfect start. 

3) Old habits die hard 

The last game of Premier League’s opening weekend was a fascinating affair, as the newly promoted Leicester City faced off against Tottenham Hotspur. Many have backed the Foxes to go straight down to the Championship, following an underwhelming preseason and imminent points deduction. However, Leicester gave a good account of themselves on Monday night. But the same can’t be said about Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs. While the Lilywhites attacked with the same fervent endeavor that fans have come to expect out of Ange’s Spurs, their defensive showing left a lot to be desired. 

Spurs completely dominated the possession, and they had seven shots on target to show for that. However, they failed to take advantage of their dominance, as they missed chance after chance. A one goal advantage is never safe, especially in the Premier League. And Jamie Vardy made Tottenham rue their missed chances, as he nodded in an equalizer in the 57th minute from Leicester’s first shot on target. The goal came from a swift counter-attack, something Spurs fans have grown accustomed to under Ange’s leadership.  

To further compound their misery, Spurs could be without the services of Rodrigo Bentancur for several months. Bentancur suffered a horrible head clash with Abdul Fatawu, which left him unconscious. While he gained consciousness, Bentancur needed a stretcher to get off the field. Now, Spurs face Everton in their next game. Spurs fans will hope that they don’t drop anymore points so early on in their Premier League season. 

4) Brighton will be an entertaining team to watch 

The 2023/24 season was an underwhelming season for a Brighton side who secured a Europa League spot in the prior season. After selling world class midfielders like Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo in the summer, the Seagulls finished the 2023/24 Premier League season in 11th place. However, under the leadership of new head coach Florian Hurzeler, the south coast side looks like they’re going to be fun again. 

After an impressive transfer window in which they have signed the likes of Mats Wieffer, Yankuba Minteh, Brajan Gruda and Georginio Rutter, Brighton looks like a formidable side. They started their season with a comprehensive 3-0 win against Everton. Kaoru Mitoma, Danny Welbeck and Simon Adingra all opened their accounts for the season. The Seagulls looked more dynamic under the leadership of Florian Hurzeler, who has garnered a reputation for his off-beat tactics during his stint with St. Pauli. No matter where Brighton finishes this season, their games will be engaging and thrilling to watch. 

5) At least one promoted side will stay in the Premier League 

 Last season, all three promoted sides (Luton Town, Burnley and Shefield United) went straight back down to the Championship. This highlights the gap in quality between the two divisions. As a result, many fans felt that the fate of the teams promoted this season would be the same. However, in the opening weekend of the Premier League, all three promoted sides gave a good account of themselves. Let’s start with Championship winner Leicester City; the Foxes defended sternly against an ultra-attacking Tottenham side. After going a goal down, the Foxes showed their resilience and equalized in the 57th minute to start their campaign with a positive result. 

Elsewhere, despite suffering an opening day loss, Southampton completely dominated Newcastle United. Fabian Schar was shown a red card following his altercation with Brereton Diaz. This incident led to the Saints notching 19 shots during the game. However, Joelinton scored the only goal of the game, following an error from Saints goalie Alex McCarthy.  

Ipswich’s performance against Liverpool showed that the Tractor Boys belong in the Premier League. The Reds had no answer to Ipswich’s style of play, as they created numerous chances in the first half. However, the Reds eventually ran out as 2-0 victors. But the Tractor Boys impressed many pundits and fans. If the first weekend is any indication, at least one promoted team looks set to stay up. In fact, don't be surprised if all three manage to survive.