The Premier League returned this weekend with its first slate of fixtures for the 2024/25 season and there were plenty of players who delivered top notch performances to kick off the new campaign.
Manchester City got their title defence off to a commanding start by seeing off Chelsea on Sunday a day after Arsenal had reinforced their credentials with a straightforward victory over Wolves. There were also wins for Manchester United, Liverpool, Newcastle United and Aston Villa, while Tottenham could only draw at Leicester City on Monday night.
Many of the division’s most recognisable stars turned up, but who delivered the best showing in Gameweek 1?
Mohamed Salah and Premier League opening weekends are a match made in heaven. The Egyptian is never far away from the scoresheet at the start of a campaign and was again on target as Liverpool overpowered newly promoted Ipswich Town.
The 32-year-old helped Arne Slot’s side eventually break the deadlock in the second half, setting up Diogo Jota for the opener before making it 2-0.
He’s into the final season of his contract at Anfield but that won’t stop Salah registering another bucket-load of goals during 2024/25.
Kai Havertz enjoyed a brilliant second half of the 2023/24 season and he was once again a link-up machine in Arsenal’s opening victory over Wolves.
The Germany international continues to combine with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli to devastating effect and put any nerves around the Emirates Stadium to bed by netting in the 25th minute.
The Gunners have been tipped with making a striker signing throughout the summer transfer window but Mikel Arteta has no need to change a system that’s already firing on all cylinders.
Manchester United match-winner Joshua Zirkzee described Kobbie Mainoo as the ‘general’ of their side’s midfield on social media and, with performances like his against Fulham on Monday night, it’s easy to see why.
The teenager made a match-high five interceptions and won 11 ground duels, also attracting four fouls to help relieve the pressure around Old Trafford.
The Red Devils need to show greater goal threat throughout the season but they’ll always have a foothold in games if Mainoo continues to play at this level.
Manchester City fans usually get a little bit shaky whenever midfield maestro Rodri is out of action and Sunday’s trip to Stamford Bridge was no different.
However, Pep Guardiola was able to call upon former Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic, who showed enough defensive nous while dancing past opposition defenders with consummate ease to ensure the English champions didn’t miss their Spain international.
The way the Croatia international breezed beyond both Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, two players who have cost Chelsea a laughable amount for their displays in return, before curling in from distance was simply divine.
It can be a poisoned chalice for a manager to compare a player to Lionel Messi, but when Bukayo Saka gets into full flight and starts bossing games like he did against Wolves, Mikel Arteta’s words seem pretty well justified.
The Wanderers undoubtedly gave the winger far too much space throughout the contest but Saka made them pay by setting up Havertz’s opener before firing in the second in the 74th minute.
Arsenal are gunning for Premier League title glory this season and Saka and his attacking teammates will be key to that ambition throughout 2023/24.
