Topnaija Premier League Wrap-up: What happened, what didn’t happen?

The Premier League is officially back again, and everyone’s weekend schedule is busy once more. So, what happened in the first week of the league’s return? Who won and most importantly, who lost?

Well, we’ll start with what didn’t happen; like Chelsea not beating Manchester City, Arne Slot not losing or drawing his first premier league game in charge of Liverpool like every other Liverpool manager has done in recent times or Arsenal dropping any point to Wolverhampton Wanderers. Simply put, there were no real banters or narratives to draw out of the first weekend of the premier league. Even Manchester United won and played incredibly well to kickstart the English season.

However, as anyone would predict, English referees will always be English referees. Anthony Taylor will always be Anthony Taylor, and Chelsea will keep wearing Blue.

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The Premier League’s first weekend brought us some interesting play, with Sunday’s fixtures giving us some exciting football starting with Brentford vs. Crystal Palace over at the Gtech Community Stadium where their home form allowed the Bees to slide past a Palace side that threatened a late comeback after going down by an Mbeumo goal in the 29th minute.

Forward man, Yoane Wissa who had given Mbeumo the assist was on hand to put the Bees ahead again after teammate, Ethan Pinnock had scored in his own goal.

Following the Brentford versus Crystal Palace game, was the most important match of the opening weekend; Chelsea versus Manchester City. The Cityzens though initially held back and stunned by Chelsea’s control of possession, ultimately emerged 0-2 winners thanks to goals from Erling Haaland in the first half and former Chelsea man, Mateo Kovacic returning to Stamford Bridge to haunt his former team.

In football, there are really no sentiments, and Kovacic did not waste time to show any, with his goal doubling City’s advantage to condemn any efforts Chelsea made towards getting a point from the game.

However, the Blues will have some complaints about Anthony Taylor and VAR for several controversial calls made in the game, pertaining penalty shouts for handball situations that City were lucky to avoid.

Saturday’s premier league fixture had the most games, and perhaps, the most fun.

Speaking about fun, newly promoted side Ipswich Town in their early kickoff versus Liverpool, had some fun with Arne Slot’s side who in the first half looked completely lost. The Tractor Boys had they managed a stroke of luck, had on 3 occasions scooped the chance of taking the lead at Portman Road, and creating the first shocker in the league. However, inexperience in attack, proved rather costly as Liverpool in the second half took their chances to punish the former Championship side. Goals came courtesy of Diogo Jota and the inevitable Mohamed Salah on opening day.

Arsenal versus Wolverhampton Wanderers were next along with 3 other separate fixtures that involved Everton being embarrassed by Brighton and Hove Albion after going down to 10-men, thanks to an Ashley Young red card. Hence, Ashley Young became the second premier league player of the 2024/25 season to be sent off. With freedom to attack Everton’s defensive line, Brighton became a lot more confident in attack and possession. Goals by Kaoru Mitoma, Danny Welbeck, and substitute Simon Adingra was enough to punish the Toffees. However, the goals could have gotten worse had VAR not ruled out Yasin Ayari’s goal.

Nottingham Forest played out a 1-1 draw versus AFC Bournemouth with Chris Wood putting Forest ahead in the 23rd minute just to have Antoine Semenyo steal the points off them thanks to a 66th-minute leveler. Again, VAR had a play in one of Bournemouth’s goal.

Newcastle United versus Southampton saw some drama with the Magpies having a man sent off in the 26th minute, with Fabian Schär becoming the first player to be sent off this season. The Magpies were able to sustain the pressure after Joelinton had put Newcastle United ahead. With more ball possession and shots on target, the newly promoted Saints were unable to capitalize on their one-man advantage to steal a point off the Magpies.

Arsenal versus Wolves settled for a 2-0 score line, with Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz turning up for the team and also to assist each other as they continue their title charge.

Saturday’s premier league games ended with Aston Villa and West Ham United facing off at the London Stadium. Though Villa took all 3-points thanks to goals from newly signing Amadou Onana and  substitute Jhon Durán who stole the points back to Villa Park after Lucas Pacqueta had leveled the tie after his penalty kick.

The first premier league game of the season but not the least, saw Manchester United take on Fulham on opening day, under the Old Trafford lights on Friday, with summer signing, Joshua Zirkzee turning up for the Red Devils in the 87th minute to save United from banter.

Fingers remain crossed for Monday night’s premier league clash between Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City over at the Kings Power Stadium.