And we’re back! Just 75 days on from a crazy final day to bring the curtain down on a rollercoaster 2021-22 season, the best league in the world returns with a bang.
Despite starting slightly early this year with one eye already on the steadily approaching winter World Cup, there were few signs of pre-season rust from the Premier League’s biggest stars this weekend, old faces and new alike. From Manchester United’s capitulation at home to Brighton, to Fulham’s mightily impressive draw with Liverpool on their return to the top flight, a blockbuster opening weekend has certainly left us all wanting more.
Ten fixtures, 28 goals, five star names – with the 2022-23 season underway, here are our first five Stars of the Week, from the opening round of Premier League action.
Stars of the week – Gameweek 1
Goalkeeper: Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)
Kicking things off from the very beginning, it was Arsenal who once again got the season underway with a tricky Friday night away fixture, albeit with a much brighter outcome than last time around. The Gunners overcame a potential banana skin by emerging triumphant in a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace.
Arsenal certainly had to weather the storm at times during the game, and can be thankful to goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale for making a significant contribution to the result. Despite a couple of shaky moments early on, Ramsdale was there when his team needed him, making a fine save from Odsonne Edouard’s header in the first half, before following it up with an excellent 1-on-1 stop from Eberechi Eze in the second period.
Just the start he would have wanted to his second season as an Arsenal player.
Defender: Fabian Schar (Newcastle United)
What a difference a year makes. Most will recall the terrific form that Newcastle United were in during the second half of last season, and it was more of the same from them on opening day. The Magpies defeated newly promoted Nottingham Forest 2-0 to claim a victory at the first time of asking, compared to the fifteen attempts it took them to finally win a match last season.
Despite the victory, it was a challenging day for Newcastle, and of all people it was defender Fabian Schar who made a difference at both ends of the pitch. With the home side struggling to find the cutting edge in front of goal, it was Schar who opened the scoring with a thunderbolt of a strike in the second half. The Swiss international was composed at the back as well, making two blocks, two tackles and three interceptions.
Newcastle may have brought in some defensive reinforcements this summer, but Schar looks determined to keep his place in the side.
Midfielder: Pascal Gross (Brighton and Hove Albion)
It’s happened again. After famously dismantling Manchester United 4-0 back in May, Brighton stung the Red Devils again on opening day by claiming a fully deserved 2-1 victory at Old Trafford.
Whilst the away side were terrific all over the pitch, it is Pascal Gross whose name will be in the headlines following a match-winning performance. The Brighton midfielder drifted in at the back post to slot home a simple finish and give his side the lead after half an hour, and less than ten minutes later was on the scoresheet again when he reacted quickest to a spilled shot and put his side two goals to the good.
His brace was enough to give Brighton the opening day victory, and in the process Gross matched his Premier League goal tally from the entirety of last season. That’s six league goals he has against United now, far more than against any other side, and by now the Red Devils must be sick of the sight of him.
Forward: Aleksandar Mitrovic (Fulham)
For the third time in five years, Fulham marked their return to the Premier League on Saturday, and whilst there’ll once again be huge question marks over their ability to beat the drop, the West London side gave a great account of themselves on opening day with an entertaining 2-2 draw with Liverpool.
Fulham’s energy and pressing gave Liverpool problems throughout the contest, but the cutting edge was unsurprisingly provided by last season’s hero Aleksandar Mitrovic. Having smashed record after record in the Championship, the Serbian striker seems determined to enjoy a better campaign in the top flight this time around, and got his side off to the best possible start against the Reds with a clinical back post header.
Mitrovic wasn’t done there though, and after the break he put his side back into the lead after winning a penalty off the imperious Virgil Van Dijk and converting it clinically.
Who said he’d struggle in the Premier League?
Manager: Graham Potter (Brighton and Hove Albion)
Having achieved the surprise result of the weekend, its no surprise that Brighton’s Graham Potter is picked as our first Star Manager, having lead his side to their first ever victory at Old Trafford.
Although The Seagulls’ fine form towards the end of last season contributed towards some high-profile outgoings, you would never have known it based on this display, with Brighton looking as impressive as they ever have done under Graham Potter. The away side took the fight to Manchester United, being decisive and clinical in their moves, and despite being on the wrong end of a couple of potentially game-changing refereeing decisions, maintained their composure to come away with a deserved three points.
Potter’s stock just continues to rise exponentially, and this result goes down as one of the finest in his tenure as Brighton manager.
