The Premier League is back and back with a bang after an opening weekend of thrills, spills and some rather familiar themes.
Arsenal kicked off the season on Friday night with a 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park as Mikel Arteta's men began their top four quest with three points.
Saturday saw Liverpool held by newly-promoted Fulham in the early kickoff, Bournemouth, Leeds, Newcastle and Spurs all claimed victories in the 3pm matches. Frank Lampard's Everton, who stayed up by the skin of their teeth last term, were beaten by his former club, Chelsea, in the late kickoff at Goodison Park.
On Sunday, Manchester United began the Erik ten Hag era full of hope and anticipation, only to fall to defeat at home to Brighton. At the same time Brentford fought from two goals down to draw at Leicester.
And in the final match of the weekend it was left to the champions, Manchester City, to stake their claim for a fifth title in six years, as Erling Haaland bagged a debut brace in a 2-0 win over West Ham.
After the opening 10 games, we duly asked our writers for their most notable takes from the weekend. Here's what they came up with...
De Gea's fault will undermine Ten Hag's bid to build
By Andy Dunn
After yet another club Player of the Season award for David de Gea in 2021-22, the one area in which Erik ten Hag does not appear to have a problem is in goal - and you could not blame the Spaniard for either of Brighton’s goals.
But amidst all the toxic fallout from another miserable day for Manchester United, one significant fault that went under the radar was De Gea’s predictably erratic distribution.
If Ten Hag is adamant that he wants his keeper to pass the ball out, then he has got a real issue because De Gea is not at all accomplished with his feet … unless he is using them to make saves.
Let’s put it this way, Pep Guardiola is probably a massive admirer of De Gea’s shot-stopping capabilities but would he have him in his team?
You know the answer to that one.
Man City's new shield
By Alan Smith
Manchester City’s fluorescent yellow kit was an assault on the eyes and Erling Haaland hoovered up the plaudits but Pep Guardiola’s latest tactical tweak stood out well before the Norwegian striker scored both goals at London Stadium.
Seeing one of City’s full backs tuck inside has been a regular sight since Guardiola became head coach but this may have been the first instance of both lining up either side of Rodri. And the three-man shield enabled the champions to suffocate a limp West Ham from the second minute onwards.
Kyle Walker, in theory the right back, had 99 touches, Rodri had 110 and Joao Cancelo a leading 129. The reality is they made one of the league’s most disruptive teams look meek and powerless and coaches across the league will now be spending plenty of time trying to understand ways to counteract.
By the end City had 75% possession and it was notable that David Moyes bristled afterwards when asked if he could have done anything to give West Ham some sort of grip on proceedings. “I’d loved to have done that,” the Scot said. “Have you got an idea?”
Haaland’s arrival may alter how City attack but there will be no change to their desire for dominance.
Big boys get what they paid for
By David Maddock
It's almost depressing to say it, but the big take from the weekend has to be the sight of the two most expensive signings in the Premier League, showing exactly why their clubs paid so much money for them.
With his agent and other associated fees, Manchester City paid almost £90m for Erling Haaland, and that's before you even consider his eye-watering wages. Likewise Darwin Nunez, who could end up costing Liverpool £85m.
When the top two spend well in excess of £150m on two players, then you already fear the rest will have some catching up to do. The weekend suggested - forbidingly - that will be the case.
City's ability to absorb Haaland into their attack looked seamless, with Pep Guardiola coming up with a system to utilise his runs in behind perfectly....and that is depressing for those trying to chase them, even Liverpool.
Yet even as Jurgen Klopp's side got off to a less than perfect start, they at least showed that they too will accomodate Nunez easily, and he looks the real deal with his match-saving inlfuence after coming on as a sub.
So more goals, or rather, more decisive goals, from the top two, and the rest still seem some distance away. Perhaps even further now.
Fulham begin to prove their point
By Jake Polden
Fulham are a yo-yo club, Aleksandar Mitrovic is not a Premier League forward and Marco Silva can't manage in England. That's what most football fans will tell you.
There may be an element of truth to each statement based on previous seasons, but this campaign is different. Mitrovic, Silva and Fulham all have a point to prove this campaign.
In Fulham's past two seasons in the top flight, they've been defensively woeful and all too willing to roll out the red carpet for big sides. Against Liverpool on Saturday, Silva's men showed Jurgen Klopp and co. zero respect.
Silva looked as if he'd been drilling his side all summer for this one fixture and as Liverpool turned up expecting an easy day at the office, they were quickly left surprised by the intensity of this Fulham team on the banks of the Thames.
Championship record-breaker Mitrovic netted twice in the 2-2 draw but immediately faced questions as to whether he can do it in the Premier League in his post-match interview, despite all day getting the better of Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Fulham are set to get this kind of scrutiny all season as they work towards mathematical security, but it may be the perfect motivator for Silva and the squad to finally break the curse and stay in the Premier League.
Manchester United's PR skills exposed
By Tom Blow
Sunday was quite the day for Manchester United. Erik ten Hag lost his first game in charge to Brighton and they had a bid rejected for a 33-year-old Marko Arnautovic! The former was predictable, the latter less so.
It's a far cry from pre-season, when the players were telling us how great Ten Hag's sessions were. Almost all of them waxed lyrical about the Dutchman to the club's website after their 4-0 win against Liverpool.
As Sunday proved, this was just a PR exercise. There's still a long way to go before Ten Hag's United are challenging the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool for the Premier League crown. United fans shouldn't get excited just get.
"When people say pre-season, I think that was a lot of PR nonsense coming out of Man Utd," claimed Roy Keane on Sunday. "I saw one or two of the games and I still saw some of the same problems."
Frank teaches Rodgers an in-game lesson
By James Nursey
I got a vivid insight into how decisive the new five substitutes rule will be for some clubs this season when I attend Brentford's 2-2 draw at Leicester.
When the rule, which was previously used in Project Re-Start, was brought in for this season most people thought it would benefit the biggest clubs the most with better squads. It probably will but it will also help managers who are good at game-management and making canny tactical changes.
At 2-0 down within seconds of the kick off in the second half, the Bees looked down and out at the King Power Stadium where they trailed to goals from Timothy Castagne and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
But visitors boss Thomas Frank made two double substitutions which helped turn the tide before replacement Josh Dasilva popped up with a spectacular late equaliser.
Brendan Rodgers by contrast only made one substitution and left to rue the failure of the club to sign Ademola Lookman to give him an attacking option out wide off the bench.
Newcastle are serious operators again
By Simon Bird
Newcastle United are evolving into a proper football team again. It’s ten years since Alan Pardew led them to fifth, and on early evidence Eddie Howe’s players are ready to be challengers.
After a super-intense five week pre season, Howe’s side looked transformed from the Toon team of a year ago who took until December to get a win.
The tactic against Forest was to squeeze the life of the opposition. To deny space, with six United players camped in the final third to stop the promoted club passing out from the back. Bruno Guimaraes linked play, Joelinton marauded around. Callum Wilson scored a brilliant flick, Kieran Trippier pinched the ball and played high up. They were all 7.5 or 8 out of ten.
The Premier League should welcome Newcastle United being serious operators again. Their win served notice they will rattle some cages this season and be entertaining.
And that sell-out Geordie crowd. Positivity, ambition and togetherness is the theme at St James’ Park.
Same players equal same problems for Ten Hag
By Ben Husband
So, about that ruthless Erik ten Hag revolution...
For all the talk of sweeping, fundamental changes there was a familiar sense of foreboding when Manchester United released their first lineup of the season. And fair play to the efficient Diogo Dalot, who delivered on that pessimism just 41 seconds into the new season.
United looked well drilled against the might of Melbourne Victory and were impressive against an undercooked Liverpool side. But against an actual Premier League team, they were miles off it - and that’s being kind.
Ten Hag arrives at Old Trafford with the reputation of playing progressive and exciting football and for getting the best out of his players. But starting so many of the team that so routinely let his predecessors down was a recipe for disaster.
United chiefs went all in to land the highly-rated Dutchman, but unless they give him the tools he needs to succeed, it will be more of the same.
Hasenhuttl playing catch up already
By Felix Keith
Ralph Hasenhuttl is the fourth longest-serving manager in the Premier League. He has survived two 9-0 thrashings during his tenure. And yet, after one game of the new season, there are already rumblings of discontent at Southampton.
Saints were mauled 4-1 by Tottenham on Saturday. A win was not expected by the fanbase, but the nature of the defeat was depressingly familiar. Hasenhuttl spent pre-season working on a new five-man defence, in part to combat Spurs, only for it to completely flop in north London.
Saints ended the match with two midfielders – Joe Aribo and Stuart Armstrong – playing as strikers, with Che Adams remaining rooted to the bench. Southampton have now won just one of their last 13 Premier League games. They have conceded 34 while scoring just 10 in that period.
They have been in the top flight for 10 years and there have been many scares during that decade. Hasenhuttl is losing support and has to show he has a clear plan to ensure safety once again.
Too comfortable Liverpool get given a shake
By Simon Mullock
Fulham are supposed to be the Premier League whipping boys again this season, so seeing Marco Silva’s side give Liverpool a fright at Craven Cottage was hugely impressive.
Aleksandar Mitrovic quite rightly got the plaudits for his two goals, but the Serbian led from the front when it came to getting in the faces of Jurgen Klopp’s side. It’s not often you see Liverpool shaken out of their comfort zone. But they were on Saturday lunchtime - and it had little to do with Klopp’s complaint that the home team didn’t water the pitch.
Fulham’s last two visits to the top-flight lasted just a season, but there was plenty to suggest that Silva has instilled real belief and fight into his team this time.
Liverpool, despite being well below their best, at least showed a resilience not to lose and twice came from behind to stretch their unbeaten run in the Premier League to 20 games.
The other positive for the Merseysiders was the performance of Darwin Nunez after being introduced as a substitute early in the second half. Nunez carried on where he left off in the Community Shield, scoring a brilliant backheeled flick and then setting up Mo Salah to salvage a point.
The Uruguayan has hit the ground running and looks like an £85million bargain at the moment.
The enduring importance of Rodri
By Nathan Ridley
What a performance it was from the Manchester City star on Sunday. No, not just Erling Haaland, but Mr Consistent himself, Rodri. The Spanish midfielder gave us all a reminder that the Premier League isn't just about players who get you points on fantasy football, but those who make what they do a true artform. Right now, no one in the division personifies that more than Rodri.
The 26-year-old linchpin was simply sublime against West Ham as Pep Guardiola's side ran out 2-0 winners, reminding England ace Declan Rice that there's a long way to go before he's in with a shout of being labelled the best defensive midfielder in the world. Gary Neville reckons that Rodri's recent displays put him on the level of Barcelona legend Sergio Busquets, and his stats back it up.
Winning a game-high seven duels, completing two take-ons and boasting a staggering 94 per cent pass accuracy, just ask yourself this: when was the last time Rodri had a bad game?
Man Utd will do well to finish sixth
By Neil McLeman
Manchester United's opening defeat and the performances of the other big clubs showed Erik Ten Hag will do well to finish sixth and qualify for the Europa League again this season.
Brighton demonstrated how a properly run club with a joined up transfer policy can work without spending billions. And the immediate danger is that the Old Trafford club will now be panicked into wasting more money before the closing of the transfer window.
But most of the Champions League contenders have also spent well to build on progress from last season. Manchester City and Liverpool will finish in the top two while Tottenham and Arsenal were impressive while Thomas Tuchel will lift Chelsea.
The Cristiano Ronaldo saga has to be ended as his soap opera continues to distract but United will need to subsidise his departure. The only good news for the Reds from the opening weekend is that West Ham and Leicester - the two clubs to finish immediately behind them last season - are also facing difficult seasons.
Cottagers won't go down
By Mike Walters
Fulham won't be going down.
The intensity they whipped up knocked Liverpool out of their complacent stride - and we are not talking about mid-table drifters here, we are talking about a side who came within a couple of whiskers of an unprecedented Quadruple last season.
The tenacity of Tim Ream and Antonee Robinson at the back, the breathless graft of Harrison Reed in midfield and Aleksandar Mitrovic bullying Virgil van Dijk all boded well for the next nine months.
You always get at least one freakish result on the opening day of the season, and as much as Liverpool's stumble at the first fence may cost them over the distance of a Grand National course Fulham's opening gambit was massively encouraging.
Those of us who predicted them to be in the bottom three next May are already throwing accusing looks at the crystal ball.
Concerns already for Nottingham Forest
By Darren Wells
It would be harsh to write any team off this early, but Nottingham Forest fans must already be concerned about a swift return to the Championship.
Mirror Football reporters made our predictions before the new season kicked off - and despite considering Forest to face the drop, I fancied them to do enough to steer clear. Fast forward the opening weekend, though, and I'm now very much doubtful.
Their performance against Newcastle was full of hard work and determination - but little else. Newcastle dominated the clash with Forest conceding 23 shots in total. The goals from Fabian Schar and Callum Wilson were extremely well taken, but a better side will punish Forest further.
Despite all their summer signings, Forest don't look massively improved either - and when you consider three of their best arrivals - Henderson, Lingard and Williams - have effectively replaced three of their best from last season - Samba, Garner and Spence - the picture looks very different.
Could be a long year ahead.
Familiar failings haunt Leicester
By Kieran King
It was an almost perfect first hour for Leicester City against Brentford on Sunday, before they threw away yet another lead, showing similar patterns to their downfall last season.
The Foxes dropped the third-most points in the Premier League last season (21) and let a two-goal advantage slip to draw 2-2 with the Bees on the opening weekend.
Brendan Rodgers' side dominated the first-half and had the lion share of possession, threatening the Brentford goal on multiple occasions, before Timothy Castagne put them ahead. Their creative players took control - with Youri Tielemans, James Maddison and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall all mightily impressive. The latter of those scored the Foxes' second with a rasping drive, demonstrating why he could be a wildcard pick for the England squad at the World Cup.
However, the game changed when Ivan Toney pulled one back in the 61st minute. Leicester dropped into a deeper shape and struggled to get out, causing Brentford to have more opportunities. This happened a lot last season and caused the Foxes to panic and throw away leads.
Leicester were the architects of their own downfall and Brentford equalised late on through Josh Da Silva, whose 20-yard effort flew into the top corner. The mood around the King Power Stadium is far from optimistic with the club's failure to sign any players, and the mentality has seemingly stayed the same after conceding another late goal to add to those let in last season.
