Premier League: Game week 1

Arise the debutants... 28 players make their debut, with 5 scoring in game week 1

A far from dominant Chelsea side beat a strong Brighton side, with the youth shining through. Tariq Lamptey was like a man possessed with his dangerous runs down the right hand side. The ex-Chelsea academy star looked to expose every weakness Marcos Alonso had by giving him a torrid time all game. He got the assist for Trossard's goal to equal the tie at 1-1. Lamptey wasn't the only young English right back to stand out: step forward Reece James. The Chelsea full back put in a man of the match performance by getting a goal and an assist. Just 2 minutes after Kepa's goalkeeping error to allow Brighton back into the game, Reece James picked up the ball in the middle of the pitch and strikes the ball into the top right corner from 35 yards out. Timo Werner also impressed, winning a penalty in the 23rd minute that was then slotted away by the captain for the day, Jorginho. Kurt Zouma killed off the game in the 66th minute with a header that was deflected past the onlooking Matt Ryan.

"I have never played against 3 defenders like this so tall, so big massive defenders!" - Timo Werner after facing the Brighton centre backs

The debutants ran the show for Newcastle as they cruised to a 2-0 victory over the crisis stricken West Ham. The unhappiness with the running of West Ham has once again resurfaced with players like club captain Mark Noble and Declan Rice speaking out against the club via Twitter because of the sale of Grady Diangana to West From for £18 million. Before the half time break West Ham came closest to scoring when they hit the crossbar twice: first from an Angelo Ogbonna header and then a Pablo Fornals strike from 12 yards out. The second half was when Newcastle came alive, with two debut goals from Callum Wilson in the 56th minute and Jeff Hendrick in the 87th. Jamaal Lewis also impressed on his debut from left back.

Arsenal showed no sympathy for newly promoted Fulham in a thorough 3-0 routing. Willian showed off to Chelsea fans what they were missing out on by grabbing 2 assists, creating three chances, had 96% pass accuracy and the man of the match award. Lacazette opened the scoring of not only the game, but also the Premier League season. Arsenal's marquee £23 million signing, Gabriel Magalhaes, also put in a stellar performance; the Brazilian centre back got himself a debut goal in the 49th minute, had the most touches of the ball (121), attempted more passes (113), completed more passes (107) than anyone else and kept a clean sheet. Aubameyang was able to almost perfectly recreate his Community Shield goal in the 57th minute. This goes to show how well drilled Arsenal have become under Arteta as when the Gabonese striker gets in that sort of position, his team mates set up to be ready for any occasion. An eagle eyed viewer saw multiple Arsenal players to be in the same position for the goal against Fulham that they were in for the Community Shield opener against Manchester City.

Battle of the Champions goes down as one of the best opening game fixtures

Leeds showed the Premier League what they had been missing out on during their 17 year absence by pushing Liverpool to the limit in a very close 4-3 loss. Leeds were halted by an on fire Mohammed Salah who's world class performance saw him score a hat trick and earn the man of the match award. Liverpool went up every time in the game only to be pegged back three times by Bielsa's resilient side. Salah's only non penalty goal was fired into the top corner from inside the box after he had waited behind from a Liverpool free kick, only for the ball to fall to his feet and he fired past the helpless debutant, Illan Meslier. Leeds' new £30 million striker Rodrigo (signed from Valencia) had the definitive touch of the game. Unfortunately for Leeds fans the definitive touch was him bringing down Liverpool midfielder Fabinho in the box that was converted by Salah in the 88th minute.