New signings are part of United's strong start
It was very much a case of job done. Manchester United On Friday night, United edged past Fulham. United failed to get the convincing win many had hoped for, but three points are a good foundation to start the campaign on. Erik ten Hag will be bolstered by the performances of his three debutants. Noussair Mazraoui was the only starter, playing at right-back, where he provided energy and looked composed on the ball. Matthijs de Ligt came on alongside Jonny Evans as the defence reorganised late on to help preserve United’s clean sheet, with Fulham putting pressure on their tired hosts. De Ligt worked diligently but was overshadowed by his compatriot, Joshua Zirkzee, who provided the 87th-minute winner with a clever finish that allowed United to finally get past Bernd Leno. Each signing offered an indication of what they will bring to United and, like the squad, the new arrivals have something to build on. He will not win
Raya shows his worth with a wonderful save
While there were no new names in the Arsenal lineup that beat Wolves, the XI did include one major summer signing. After impressing on loan from BrentfordDavid Raya has made his move to the other side of London permanent and played a pivotal role in a victory that might otherwise have been far less comfortable. The hosts were leading 1-0 when Wolves striker Jørgen Strand Larsen headed at goal, but the Spaniard stuck out his right hand and somehow deflected the ball away. “I don't know how Raya saves it,” Wolves manager Gary O'Neil said. “When he hits[Strand Larsen's]head that close to goal, and makes such good contact, you're waiting for him to score. Great goalkeepers at great title-chasing teams sometimes have magical moments that can change games, and that was one of David Raya's great ones.” Despite being a spectator for most of the match, Raya may have earned his side two points with a vital intervention. Ben Bloom
Without Rodri, City has no problems
The race dates back to February 2022. The four previous times Manchester City If City had played a Premier League game away from home without Rodri, they would have lost. But opponents must beware: even the slightest glitch in the winning machine could have been eradicated. Under Mateo Kovacic, City not only had a goal threat against Chelsea – the Croatian sealing the game in the 84th minute with a thumping goal – but they also had a genuine alternative to Rodri. “I played his role a bit,” said Kovacic on taking the Spaniard’s place. “But we always miss Rodri because he is, if not the best player, one of the best in the world.” City will face tougher tests than a fragmented Chelsea side still trying to adapt to Enzo Maresca’s style, but the fact that Pep Guardiola is still finding solutions after eight years and six Premier League titles should be a major concern for their rivals. Dominic Booth
Duran's hammer blow adds a twist to the transfer
As Jhon Duran made his way out of the London Stadium and to the team bus, singing into his headphones, it was clear that the social media storm of the summer had been forgotten. When the Colombian striker came on as a substitute on the hour mark, he might well have been booed by the Villa fans. Last month, Duran filmed himself making the West Ham “crossed irons” gesture before the two clubs agreed on his transfer. In keeping with one of those glorious recurring football pantomime scripts, Duran was meant to end this game as the hero, and sure enough, he scored the winner 11 minutes from time. Now it seems Unai Emery wants to keep Duran, and his team-mates believe he will stay. “He is totally committed to his task,” confirmed fellow goalscorer Amadou Onana. “This season he is going to be a very important player for us, and I am happy to have him in my team.” Matt Dunn
American money helps Ipswich rise
Portman Road has a nostalgic feel, even with the 1970s typography used on the stadium's main stand, but Ipswich, despite being a League One club two years ago, fully embrace modernity. They are no church mice. While Ed Sheeran has a minority stakeThe company is majority-owned by an investment consortium, ORG, which manages funds on behalf of a multi-billion-dollar US pension fund, known as the Arizona Public Safety Personnel Retirement System. In March, a private equity fund, Bright Path Sports Partners, bought a 40% stake. The pastel suits and aviator sunglasses of American businessmen were visible in the executive boxes, a contrast to the fervour of the home fans in blue jerseys. Everyone had a good day, save for the result, especially during an excellent first-half display. Kieran McKenna and his players offered hope for the season ahead. Theirs is a huge task, but ownership has the means to support them. Juan Brewin
Milner continues to deliver in his 23rd season
It was the quality and variety of Brighton’s attacking options – soon to be bolstered by the £40m signing of Georginio Rutter from Leeds – that took the game away from Everton, but behind it all was the familiar and effective presence of James Milner. “An incredible character,” as Fabian Hürzeler described the midfielder after this thrashing of Sean Dyche’s side. “He’s a leader, a role model in terms of preparing for every training session. On top of that, he’s still a great player.” The 38-year-old became the first player to win the game. Premier League Milner is a player who has competed in 23 consecutive seasons and, unlike 39-year-old Ashley Young, who was sent off, he proved that age is just a number. The respect between Milner and his 31-year-old coach is mutual. “The first day he comes in, age is an issue if you don’t know what it’s about,” Milner said of Hürzeler. “But he was very clear in what he wants and you don’t even think about it then. He’s been brilliant since he’s been here, very authoritative, talks fantastically to the team and is very methodical in how he does things.” Andy hunter
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Schär sees red card in the middle of the pursuit of Guéhi
Newcastle's Fabian Schär deserved to be sent off after falling into a trap set by Southampton's Ben Brereton Diaz, but there may be another reason why the Swiss defender was so easily provoked. Schär is Eddie Howe's first-choice centre-back on the right and knows that if Newcastle do end up signing Crystal Palace's Marc Guéhi, he will almost certainly lose his starting place. It was hard to sympathise with Brereton Diaz, who went down as if he had been shot, but Schär's lack of composure may be linked to Howe's prolonged courtship of Guéhi. He is now suspended for three games, which could lead to a Crystal Palace Guéhi’s price tag has been increased by a further £5m, while Newcastle are considering a fifth bid. Not that there was much wrong with Howe’s 10-man defence, which somehow kept Russell Martin’s impressive newly-promoted side at bay while protecting the lead secured by Joelinton’s winner. With their 3-4-3 formation suiting them well, Southampton’s disappointment should be tempered by optimism. Luisa Taylor
Disappointment over a decimated Palace
Is the honeymoon over for Oliver Glasner? Judging by the performance against Brentford, there were still plenty of positives for the Crystal Palace manager. But he was frustrated, and rightly so, because, having responded well to being behind, his side let Brentford take all three points after going wide at the crucial moment to allow Yoane Wissa's opportunistic late goal. “It feels like we shouldn't have lost this game, but we did,” Glasner admitted. “We know we can do better because we weren't at our best.” Things should improve when Adam Wharton, who went off just before Wissa's winner, and some of the rest of the squad who had international commitments over the summer are back at full strength. Ed Aarons
Maresca leads amid chaos at Chelsea
Fans chanted in support of Conor Gallagher after 20 minutes, a statement from Raheem Sterling calling for “clarity” over his future an hour before kick-off and a midfield trio valued at £280m outclassed by one that included the likes of Mateo Kovacic. Chelsea Did Chelsea sell for £25m? Is there no end to the chaos at Stamford Bridge? How on earth is Enzo Maresca supposed to instil a style, or a semblance of stability, amid all this madness? As far as managerial beginnings go, Maresca has had it tougher than most. He could certainly have had a gentler opening game than a clash with a City side seeking their fifth consecutive title. Despite all that, though, there are glimmers of hope for Chelsea, and the manager understandably looked for “positives” afterwards. His side enjoyed more shots than City, had a superior expected goal ratio and Pedro Neto looked particularly bright. Positives and all that. Hopefully everything else would settle down. database
Huijsen enjoys the sweet debut of cherries
It's the season of open predictions, but some seem more certain than others. Bournemouth were in the news last week after Evanilson was their club-record signing. While the Brazilian striker is likely to play against Newcastle on Sunday, another signing made a big impression on his club debut. Nottingham ForestDean Huijsen, the 19-year-old defender signed from Juventus, whom he joined after rejecting Real Madrid three years ago, looked assured from the moment he got his first header inside 30 seconds at the City Ground. The 1.96m centre-back managed to get through to Chris Wood and the early signs were encouraging. Bournemouth may still want a goalkeeper and a left-back in this window but with Huijsen, Illia Zabarnyi and Marcos Senesi, the latter missing his first game through illness, they are lucky to have options in central defence. Huijsen was born in Amsterdam but moved to Andalusia aged five and has represented Spain at under-21 level. “We know he has the composure, calm and strength for a 19-year-old,” said Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola. Ben Fisher
