Thursday 22nd August 2024
The first weekend of action in the Premier League saw eight teams win and four teams draw. Eight teams remain without a point with Everton propping up the table after their 3-0 home defeat to Brighton. The Seagulls, in contrast, sit atop the table with a one-better goal difference than a trio of title-chasing teams: Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City.
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Opening Weekend Stat Attack
- The opening weekend of the Premier League saw a total of 21 goals scored across various matches.
- All 21 goals were scored by 21 different players (including one own goal by Brentford’s Ethan Pinnock)
- Erling Haaland made headlines by scoring his 91st goal on his 100th appearance for Manchester City in their 2-0 win against Chelsea. It was his 64th league goal for City after scoring 36 goals in 2022/23 and 27 goals in 2023/24.
- Liverpool’s Mo Salah also made history by becoming the first player in Premier League history to score in nine different opening-day fixtures.
Top Scorers and Golden Boot Contenders Off The Mark
Last season, Erling Haaland dominated the top scorers’ table despite a mid-season injury. He kicked off this campaign with City’s opening goal against Chelsea. Mo Salah was another top goalscorer contender to get off the mark, scoring Liverpool’s second in their 2-0 win at Ipswich. Arsenal duo Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka grabbed their first goals of the campaign as did veteran Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy.
One new face also got off the mark in the first round of fixtures: Joshua Zirkzee of Manchester United.
However, the likes of Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Marcus Rashford (Man Utd), Heung-min Son (Tottenham) and Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) didn’t hit the back of the net on week one.
Latest Premier League Transfers and Gossip
A look at some of the latest Premier League Transfer news…
Kieran Trippier wants to leave Newcastle United. The England full-back is believed to be a target for a number of clubs including Everton. Trippier was on the bench but didn’t feature in the 1-0 win over Southampton at the weekend. Bruno Guimaraes was handed the captain’s armband in his absence.
Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino is set to join Arsenal according to reports. The Spanish Euro 2024 winner has agreed a reported £28.4m move to the Gunners, pending a successful medical.
Wantaway Liverpool youngster Sepp Van den Berg is believed to be ready to sign for Brentford after the Bees and Reds agreed on a fee of £20m for the Dutch centre back.
After news of potential interest from Liverpool, Newcastle United have returned with another bid for Crystal Palace and England centre back Marc Guehi. Agreement between the two clubs on a fee is believed to be close.
Fulham have signed Norwegian midfielder Sander Berge from Burnley for £25m.
Raheem Sterling is training at home after being told by new Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca to find a new club and being stripped of his number 7 jersey. He is one of a number of players that Maresca is believed to want out of the club.
Having been released by Barcelona and retiring from international duty, German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan could be set for a return to Manchester City.
Manchester United are in advanced talks with Paris St Germain for midfielder Manuel Ugarte. However, the Red Devils may need to create space in the squad to facilitate the move. As such, Hannibal Mejbri has been linked with a move to Burnley and Facundo Pellestri believed to be on Panathinaikos’ radar.
Brentford are keen on Gremio’s teenage striker Gustavo Nunes. He could replace Ivan Toney, who is believed to be considering a £50m move to Saudi Arabia.
Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah is believed to be a £30m target for ambitious Nottingham Forest.
With Gavin Bazunu injured, Southampton boss Russell Martin is believed to be keen on taking Arsenal’s England international goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale on loan.
Nottingham Forest have signed Alex Moreno on loan from Aston Villa.
Other Thursday Premier League News
The BBC have sacked Match of the Day pundit Jermaine Jenas after complaints about his workplace conduct were investigated.
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