While clubs are still deeply mired in the transfer window, this weekend afforded us our first look at several new signings - with perhaps the biggest impact felt in Newcastle. The Magpies set down an early marker for the season, defeating highly-touted Aston Villa by the alarming scoreline of 5-1. Sandro Tonali marked his debut with a goal in the sixth minute, and he was right at home in the Geordie midfield, adding fluidity and smoothness to an already accomplished side. Harvey Barnes, another new signing, showed how his more direct approach on the left wing might improve the Newcastle counter attack. Barnes assisted the substitute Callum Wilson, before slotting home a goal of his own in stoppage time. Alexander Isak bolstered his reputation, scoring the Magpies’ other 2 goals, and looks well positioned to be a breakout star if he can stay healthy. While they left formally humbled, there were signs of hope for Villa in their new speed merchant, Moussa Diaby, who opened his tally with a smart finish. However, heaped on top of the defeat, the Birmingham side lost Tyrone Mings to a long term knee injury, which stretches their already questionable depth at the expense of a leader on the pitch.

The promoted sides all lost on their first attempt back in the top-flight, though each of them can take some positives from their matches. Luton Town’s first ever Premier League match was widely anticipated, and, though they lost 4-1 in Brighton, they showed signs that they could be a dangerous force on the counter attack. Their final ball was lacking, but they created opportunities. Brighton’s final 2 goals came late in the match to pull away, making for an ugly scoreline for Luton - who will now have two weeks to regroup before facing Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. It should be said that the Seagulls look like they haven’t taken any steps backwards after losing Alexis Mac Allister and Moisés Caicedo, and, keeping to form, look to have another new major talent in Simon Adingra, who scored their third goal. 

Sheffield United lost narrowly to Crystal Palace at Bramall Lane, with Odsonne Édouard slotting home a Jordan Ayew cross. The Blades initially held their own, but conceded 24 shots with 8 on target and were worn down in the end. Wes Foderingham in goal needs to rise to superhero status if Sheffield United want to stay in the division.

While they ended up on the wrong side of a 0-3 scoreline, Burnley premiered their new stylish brand of football in the first match of the young campaign. Erling Haaland reminded viewers that he is, indeed, a terror, and Rodri capped off the scoring for the champions. The Clarets had opportunities of their own, though often lacked the final ball to cap off their counters. Seeing this style of play, it’s not a stretch to argue that Vincent Kompany’s side will be able to pick off quite a few sides in the division. Despite leaving Turf Moor with a comfortable win, City will now be without Kevin De Bruyne for 3-4 months after the star midfielder re-injured his hamstring. Though, to acknowledge the positives, the three-time Premier League champs already look to be evolving tactically - John Stones was absent from the starting lineup after so much was made of his positional tweaks last year, and there was room for both Haaland and Julián Álvarez in the first eleven. 

If you had gone into this weekend saying that Fulham would beat Everton and Manchester United would get three points against Wolves, no one would have batted an eye at you. But both of these results, though perhaps predictable, came against the run of play. Fulham snatched a victory at Goodison Park with a second half Bobby De Cordova Reid goal. On the other side of the pitch, chance after chance was left wanting - with Neal Maupay the most common culprit. The Toffees leave the weekend already on the back foot, and crying out for Dominic Calvert-Lewin to return to form. The 26 year old striker is still recovering fitness and missed out following the birth of his child. Everton fans will be left shaking their heads, knowing that a firing Calvert-Lewin may have buried one or two of the opportunities. 

Old Trafford played host to the first major refereeing controversy of the barely born season, with Manchester United playing quite poorly en route to a 1-0 victory. While the Red Devils can thank Wolves for continuing their wayward shooting tendencies of last campaign, they were aided by an admitted mistake by both the on field referee and VAR (both have been removed from action for next weekend’s matches). Deep in injury time, André Onana lept for a cross, only to miss the ball and absolutely wallop the Wolves defenders who were also jumping for it. It was clear to everyone watching - except the two that mattered - and Wolves will head back down to the midlands feeling very hard done by. United’s situation is far from a crisis, but they were played through far too easily, and it’s nearly a certainty that more clinical teams would have punished them.

Bournemouth hosted West Ham on the South Coast and played to an entertaining 1-1 draw. The Hammers went ahead from a beautiful drive from Jarrod Bown, who made the keeper’s dive purely ornamental by placing the ball in the top left corner. The Cherries battled back, forcing a few saves and coming close with long shots of their own. However, the breakthrough came when a deflected shot fell nicely for Dominic Solanke, who swept it home. Overall, it’s probably a fair point for each of them, though both clubs could have found a winner.

The early match on Saturday saw last year’s runners up Arsenal host surprise survivors Nottingham Forest, and it produced two of the best goals of the weekend. After a glaring miss from Forest’s Brennan Johnson, the Gunners opened the scoring via Eddie Nketiah. While Nketiah did very well to shift the ball and steer it home, the standout moment was Gabriel Martinelli’s audacious pass to find him mid-spin. Bukayo Saka tried his best to top it by smashing home a long range laser beyond former Gunner, Matt Turner. Things then took a turn for the North London club, first by losing new signing Jurriën Timber to what looks to be a long term knee injury, and then by conceding a late goal. It was stabbed home by Taiwo Awoniyi following a great run by the electric Anthony Elanga, who made his Forest debut as a substitute. Arsenal will be happy with the win, but will not head into their next match feeling as though they’ve shown their full potential.

The two Sunday matches both ended in draws and each provided a first look at how two historically big London clubs will set up under new managers. Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs earned a 2-2 stalemate with Brentford in the club’s first match without Harry Kane, leading through Romero’s header from a free kick, before going down 2-1 following a penalty (converted by Bryan Mbeumo) and a deflected shot from Yoane Wissa. Unlikely goalscorer Emerson Royal knotted the score in first half stoppage time, and the second half played out goalless. Tottenham’s new signings had a mixed day, with James Maddison leading the bunch by bagging two assists. Defender Micky van de Ven had a less auspicious start, struggling with positioning and the goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario seemed, shall we say, eager, to foray into dangerous positions. Postecoglou’s sides have had slow starts in the past, so it’s certainly not time for any panic. On the Brentford side of things, they should take encouragement that Mbeumo and Wissa got off to fast starts, but will be disappointed to lose, especially considering the balance of opportunities and a late penalty shout which wasn’t given.

In what was the on-paper match of the weekend, Chelsea hosted Liverpool at Stamford Bridge. Both teams are openly in transition, with the Blues squad turnover quickly approaching Nottingham Forest’s of last season and with the Reds starting a midfield of two new signings and a striker. Each team had spells where they seemed in control, with Liverpool having the best of the early opportunities and striking the first blow with a beautiful pass from Mo Salah capped with a sliding Luis Díaz finish. Chelsea largely dominated the rest of the first half, leveling through unlikely goalscorer Axel Disasi, who made his debut in defense. Each team had a goal chalked off due to offsides, and the second half failed to produce a winner. Nicolas Jackson looked like a wonderful addition to Chelsea’s squad, and Enzo Fernández seemed to find his feet, controlling the midfield well. Both of Liverpool’s summer signings were encouraging, with Alex Mac Allister playing a big part in their goal and Dominic Szoboszlai showing real energy in the press. It’s too early to tell where these teams will end up, but Chelsea have clearly strengthened (not to mention the now confirmed signing of Moisés Caicedo) but may take time to fully settle under Pochettino. Liverpool looked a few players light on paper, and they looked a few players light on the pitch. 

One match is far too little information to make any wide pronouncements, especially with squads not finalized, but so far many of the expected storylines are playing out. Manchester City are dominant, Liverpool need more midfielders, the promoted sides struggled for points. Another Match Week will shift these stories and, hopefully, provide a few more surprises.