European football has barely had time to pause and draw breath. No sooner did the 2020/21 season draw to a close than we had the drama of the delayed Euro 2020 tournament. Now, just five weeks later, the new domestic season is beginning.
The English Premier League is at the centre of the action. It attracts attention from across the globe, and football betting sites in India have been following the action as closely as those in London, Manchester or Liverpool. Let’s take a look at some of the major talking points from the opening fixtures.
Brentford back with a bang
The last time Brentford played in the top flight of English football, George VI was the King of England and the nation was still reeling from the effects of World War II. The West London club was the biggest surprise among the promoted teams, and the one expected to face the biggest struggle to compete at the highest level.
Drawing a big six team for their first game threw them in at the deep end, but they played with poise, energy and plenty of skill to beat an under strength and out of sorts Arsenal. It will be a long season for The Gunners if they are unable to recapture their mojo, while Brentford just might be able to repeat the heroics of Sheffield United a couple of seasons ago.
United in front
In the unofficial football capital of Manchester, most eyes were focused on London for title holding City’s Big Six derby with Tottenham. But it was Manchester United who surged to the top of the table with a 5-1 demolition of Leeds United at Old Trafford. Bruno Fernandes was the hero, recording the first hat trick of the new season, while Paul Pogba was in the thick of the action with four assists.
One swallow doesn’t make a summer, but it was a team performance that called to mind the Red Devils of the Alex Ferguson era. United have certainly thrown down a serious marker for the season ahead.
Merseyside celebrations
Another footballing heartland in the UK also had cause to celebrate, regardless of the colour of the shirts. Liverpool won convincingly against another promoted team, serial yoyo-ers Norwich, and the Reds showed the depth and professionalism that took them all the way in 2019/20. Yet if anything, their near neighbours at Goodison Park had even more to celebrate.
Everton’s opening fixture against Southampton marked the beginning of a new era, with veteran manager Rafael Benitez at the helm. An early comedy of errors saw them fall 1-0 down, and they showed few signs of a fightback in the first half. Whatever Benitez said at half time, it worked. The second half saw The Toffees play with a greater sense of confidence and purpose. Pushing Richarlison up front proved a tactical masterstroke and he scored the equaliser two minutes into the second half. Further goals from Doucouré and Calvert-Lewin put matters beyond all doubt.
