Crystal Palace v Tottenham Hotspur

New-boy Roberto Soldado proved the difference between newly promoted Crystal Palace and Tottenham. It was a balanced game in which both team had chances to score. But none of them could finish their chances. Probably the most influential player for Palace was captain and central defender Milas Jedinak. He was tackling all over the place and didn't allow any Spurs player to get past and he provided cover for his teammates as a captain should. Nacer Chadli was also given his debut and he certainly impressed on that left-hand side. He was crossing in as well cutting inside to set up his teammates. The penalty was awarded when a cross from Kyle Walker was blocked by hand. It was an easy decision for the referee. Soldado stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way and scored very cooly.                                                                                                                                                         

Soldado played well in his new game for the new club, he was linking well with his new teammates as well as making good passes. He has great vision and worked very well with his new teammates. He played more like a number 9 than deep-lying playmaker like Messi. Chadli kept crossing the ball for him and whenever a chance needed to be finished he was the man they searched for. It was a good game in which Crystal Palace certainly showed their passing skills and that they can challenge premier league teams. Then again Gareth Bale was missing for Spurs through injury. The Welsh wizard is linked with $150,000,000 move to Real Madrid. It is still uncertain weather he will be playing for Spurs for the rest of this season. If Bale was involved maybe Spurs would have won more comfortably. Spurs have a good chance to finish top 4 if Bale stays and Arsenal's current bad performance certainly helps.   

   FOR THOSE WHO MISSED THE MATCH CLICK HERE FOR THE HIGHLIGHTS.

Chelsea v Hull City "Tigers"

The newly promoted and newly branded Hull City "Tigers" were the first team to face "The Special One's" Chelsea on the opening day. Joint-favorites to win the title, Chelsea were expected to win the game comfortably. The game in the end finished in an average 2-0 victory to Chelsea. Chelsea were awarded a penalty in the opening 5 minutes when Hull goalkeeper, Allan McGregor, accidentally punched Chelsea strike Fernando Torres in the face. The penalty was taken by Frank Lampard who missed. McGregor became the hero and the villan for the tigers. Couple of minutes later, Kevin De Bruyne saw Oscar and put him through and the young Brazilian scored. Later, Chelsea were awarded a free-kick from 30-yards out when Torres' path was blocked by a Hull defender. Lampard stepped up and scored in the top corner. His penalty was truly forgotten. The all-time Chelsea top scorer hadn't lost his touch. Chances came and went for Chelsea but nobody scored. By half-time Chelsea had 18 shots to Hull's none. The second half was more balanced than the first. Hull City maintained possession well and didn't allow Chelsea to score. Hull also created chances to test the ever-present Petr Cech. IN the end it was a good win for Jose Mourinho. New-signings Andre Schurrle and Marco Van Ginkel were subbed on for Oscar and De Bruyne respectively. Schurrle impressed and had a chance to score on his debut but his chip just went inches wide. Lukaku also replaced the ineffective Torres put he didn't have much chances either. A good first half in which we saw Chelsea dominate the ball and in the second half we saw that Hull City can keep the ball and pass it around. This is a good point gained by the Blues. Hopefully they can go on and win the title now.

      AND FOR THOSE WHO MISSED THE GAME HERE IS A LINK TO THE HIGHLIGHTS: click HERE

Villans shock Arsenal

What an opening day fixture. Aston Villa came out the 3-1 surprise victors. Benteke scored twice as new signing Luna finished off Arsenal in the 85' minute. The only goal form Arsenal came from Giroud. Arsenal got the goals underway when Giroud scored in the 6' minute. A great cross from Walcott was met by Giroud who put it past Guzan. At this point people must have thought that the game Arsenal's. But there was still 85 minutes left and that changed everything. It took Aston Villa 15 minutes to get on its feet and from then on it was a very thrilling match. Aston Villa won a penalty which Benteke failed to convert but he was on hand to head the rebound home. from then the game was very end-to-end with both team getting very good chances to score. Arsenal had its fair chance of chances with Rosicky missing an open chance with a one-on-one with the goalie. he finessed it much high and wide. Aston Villa had chances through Weimenn whose weak shot with his left was blocked by Kosielny. Later in the game Aston Villa was awarded a penalty after Kosielny took doe Agblonahore. It looked like he got the ball but the referee thought otherwise. The penalty was cooly converted by Benteke. From then on Arsenal had a boatload of chances which again Rosicky missed. Then Kosielny took down Gabbie which saw him get his second yellow and get sent off. Arsenal were down to ten men and 2-1 down. They fought hard but in vain when new signing Antonio Luna finished Arsenal off when Aston Villa counter-attacked and when Arsenal empty at the back and he easily put it past the Arsenal keeper. It was good game but very much affected by the referee's decisions. Arsenal haven't spent of their 70M war chest given to them and only bought one player, Yaya Sonogo, on a free transfer. Arsenal fans were worried about the lack of spending this transfer window but the window is not closed and they have been recently been linked with Chelsea target, Wayne Rooney. This win proves that Aston Villa have what it takes to challenge them top teams. Arsenal need to get some signings in then they can really affect the premier league. 

Other results: 

Norwich City 2-2 Everton

Liverpool 1-0 Stoke

Sunderland 0-1 Fulham

West Brom 0-1 Southampton

West Ham 2-0 Cardiff

Swansea v Man Utd 

(Coming soon)