Premier League

20 overreactions to the Premier League's opening weekend

The dust has settled on the opening weekend of the 2022-23 Premier League season. So, naturally, it’s time to overreact about the state of each team. Below, theScore tips some for glory and others for ruin.

Arsenal

Saliba is already the league’s best defender

William Saliba waited three long years to make his Premier League debut. No one at Arsenal will forget it. The 21-year-old, who played on loan at Saint-Etienne, Nice, and Marseille before rejoining the Gunners this summer, put in a man-of-the-match performance during Friday’s 2-0 win over Crystal Palace. He dominated the area with a team-high seven clearances and committed no fouls while boxing out his opponents. A physical center-back with in-game intelligence, Saliba has what it takes to become one of the Premier League’s top defenders.

Aston Villa

Gerrard will be the first manager sacked

Despite signing Philippe Coutinho, Lucas Digne, and Calum Chambers in January, Steven Gerrard went 10-5-12 at Villa last season after replacing Dean Smith in November. Villa have to improve on their 14th-place finish, but that remains a tall order. Promising midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka and left-back Matt Targett left the club this summer, and newly promoted Bournemouth issued Villa a sobering reminder of their deficiencies Saturday.

Bournemouth

Relegation is far from a certainty

Many understandably consider Bournemouth to be a lock for relegation. The Cherries haven’t spent much since returning to the Premier League, and manager Scott Parker has enjoyed little success outside of the Championship. But there’s enough in this team to survive the season. Dominic Solanke kick-started his career with 29 goals in Bournemouth’s promotion campaign, giving the club confidence he can lead the line in the top flight. 6-foot-4 midfielder Philip Billing and 6-foot-3 center-back Chris Mepham form a solid foundation. Summer signing Marcus Tavernier adds style. Incoming defender Marcos Senesi brings confidence on the ball. With all of that, Bournemouth have the tools to stay up.

Brentford

Damsgaard is a worthy heir to Eriksen

Mikkel Damsgaard is the perfect choice for Brentford. Counting Christian Eriksen as one of his idols, Damsgaard has molded his game around the visionary Danish playmaker. So, naturally, he’s a worthy heir. The 22-year-old is just as accurate as Eriksen from set-pieces and even shiftier on the ball than his predecessor. Brentford are excellent at identifying successors, transitioning from the likes of Ollie Watkins to Ivan Toney without a hitch. Damsgaard could even be considered a long-term upgrade on Eriksen. And, at a reported £16 million, he fits the budget.

Brighton & Hove Albion

Who needs Cucurella?

Brighton had no reason to sell Marc Cucurella. That’s why they wouldn’t accept anything less than £50 million. But he wasn’t indispensable, either. When Chelsea agreed to stump up the cash, Brighton accepted. They knew they could live without him. The Seagulls proved as much Sunday at Old Trafford, outfoxing Manchester United in every category. Tactically, Brighton were at their fluid best, rotating between multiple formations while targeting open space on the counterattack. Even if manager Graham Potter needed Leandro Trossard and Solly March to do the job of one on the left flank, where Cucurella shined last season, it worked. Potter’s team has always been a collection of moving parts. Losing one won’t make a difference.

Chelsea

Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Chelsea are going backward

Chelsea aren’t any better than they were last season. Despite Kalidou Koulibaly’s arrival from Napoli, the Blues still lack quality defensive options. An even bigger concern lies up front. With Romelu Lukaku out on loan, Timo Werner on his way back to RB Leipzig, and Armando Broja still learning his trade, manager Thomas Tuchel is missing a reliable goalscorer. Chelsea’s 1-0 win over Everton exposed more problems than solutions, with Kai Havertz looking lost and Raheem Sterling struggling to connect with his teammates. If the west London side doesn’t make at least one more splash in the summer window, it’ll finish outside of the top four for the first time since 2018.

Crystal Palace

Doucoure is going to run out of steam

Cheick Doucoure should feel daunted by the task that lies ahead after Friday’s rather forgettable debut against visiting Arsenal. Those remaining in Crystal Palace’s stable of deep-lying midfielders are poor. Wideman Jeffrey Schlupp was uncomfortable alongside Doucoure in a central role, and the Eagles’ other deputies for that position – Luka Milivojevic, Will Hughes, and James McArthur – are uninspiring. Doucoure, a £20-million recruit, could be one of England’s most overworked players this season.

Everton

Everton on the path to relegation

Frank Lampard has a big problem on his hands. Everton are already in the throes of a full-blown injury crisis a week into the new season. Richarlison is long gone, oft-injured striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin remains vulnerable to setbacks, and center-backs Ben Godfrey and Yerry Mina are out long term. Even with the addition of Conor Coady, there are too many holes to plug. The club barely recovered from last season’s sluggish start, and it hasn’t made enough signings to ensure that doesn’t happen again.

Fulham

Mitrovic can win the Golden Boot

Ahead of kickoff Saturday, Aleksandar Mitrovic’s ability lay somewhere between the Championship and Premier League. His second-tier record stands at 85 goals in 126 outings, while his top-flight return was 24 goals across 104 appearances. Then, Liverpool visited and Mitrovic was a constant nuisance. Aside from his two goals, the Serb won 11 aerial duels, ranked third for touches by a Fulham player, drew four fouls, and completed three clearances. With form like this, Mitrovic can easily lead the Cottagers to safety, and maybe even collect some individual hardware.

Leeds United

David Rogers / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Aaronson and Adams > Raphinha and Phillips

The American revolution at Leeds United is underway, and the early returns are extremely promising. Brenden Aaronson and Tyler Adams stood out for all the right reasons in Leeds’ win over Wolverhampton Wanderers. The USMNT pair fit into compatriot Jesse Marsch’s system like a glove, excelling when they’re tasked with putting pressure on the opposition and forcing turnovers that can then be turned into scoring opportunities. Aaronson, in particular, looks set to have a breakthrough campaign. Replacing Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips is a gargantuan task, but Aaronson and Adams are up for it.

Leicester City

Sell Maddison, give Dewsbury-Hall the keys

There’s been much consternation this summer over Leicester City’s lack of activity in the transfer market. While others have splashed serious cash, the Foxes are yet to sign a new senior player to their squad. Against that backdrop, allowing James Maddison to depart for Newcastle United seems ill-advised. But if Maddison’s potential sale – which could fetch over £50 million – allows Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to become the conductor of Leicester’s midfield, Brendan Rodgers’ team might actually be better for it. The 23-year-old ran the show in a season-opening draw with Brentford, and his slick goal was the exclamation point on a distinguished performance.

Liverpool

TAA needs to play further forward

Trent Alexander-Arnold is a superlative attacking right-back. He’s inarguably one of the elite players at his position, if not the best. However, his defensive shortcomings were again on display in Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Fulham. There’s no shame in losing a contested header to Mitrovic, especially when the hulking Serbian has forward momentum coming in at the back post to meet a cross. But Alexander-Arnold, not for the first time, put himself in a suboptimal defensive position that handed the opponent the upper hand. Obviously, the good (far) exceeds the bad with the English international, but with such tight margins expected in the title race, these little moments are enough to make a huge difference come season’s end.

Manchester City

Haaland will score 40 goals this season

Haaland is going to terrorize the Premier League for years to come. No other center-forward in the game possesses the same combination of pace, technique, and strength as the monstrous Norwegian international. Now, imagine pairing a player who can time runs to perfection with a team of licensed assassins who can pick passes like locks. Manchester City have some of the best playmakers in the league, and if the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish, and Phil Foden can release Haaland into open space, watch out. Haaland’s going to break the Premier League’s single-season scoring record with ease.

Manchester United

The Ten Hag era will be fleeting

Deep inside, if just a little, Erik ten Hag may have some regrets right about now. The Dutch tactician left Ajax, a club that plays beautiful, cohesive football and develops talent like few others can, for a dysfunctional Manchester United outfit that’s deep in the doldrums. If he didn’t know the full extent of the issues at Old Trafford, he got an immediate dose of reality in Sunday’s home defeat to Brighton. The Red Devils have deep-rooted personnel problems that’ll take multiple transfer windows to fix, and his preferred style of play could take even longer to properly implement. Will he be around long enough to see it through?

Newcastle United

Champions League, here we come

Maybe we were all too modest with our preseason prognostications for Newcastle United. Most pundits expected the Magpies to build on their strong finish to last season and take a moderate leap forward in ’22-23, pushing for a European place in Eddie Howe’s first full campaign behind the bench. But Saturday’s 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest suggested there may be even more room for optimism on Tyneside. Yes, this all comes with the caveat that a home opener against a newly promoted team isn’t exactly a litmus test for European credentials, but Newcastle were absolutely dominant, outshooting Forest 23-10 and not conceding a single effort on target. Matches against Manchester City and Liverpool later this month will be a better indicator of just how high this team should be aiming this season.

Nottingham Forest

Stu Forster / Getty Images Sport / Getty

We need even more signings to compete

Six of Nottingham Forest’s 12 (!) summer signings started in the loss to Newcastle, with two more new recruits being introduced as substitutes. At times, it looked as though the players, many of whom have just met, weren’t on the same page. Not surprising, considering the wholesale changes made during the transfer window. That type of upheaval can have a destabilizing impact. Forest, who are expected to bring in at least a couple of more new faces before deadline day, would be wise to instead try and forge connections and understanding amongst the players already brought in.

Southampton

The transfer strategy has already backfired

After Southampton’s heavy defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, Ralph Hasenhuttl said it was “frustrating” to see the gap in quality between the two teams. He may have to get used to it. Encouraging showings from Romeo Lavia and Joe Aribo aside, there were very few positives to emerge for the Saints, and plenty to be nervous about. Southampton couldn’t cope, eventually getting overrun. “It felt like the opponent switched in the next gear after the first 20 minutes, and we could not follow,” Hasenhuttl added. Relying on so many young players to all deliver at once can be exciting, but this is the other side of the coin. An inexperienced group is being thrown right into the deep end. It’s sink or swim.

Tottenham Hotspur

Conte has already built a title-winning team

Antonio Conte loved what he saw during Saturday’s 4-1 thrashing of Southampton. His players pressed high, won possession in dangerous areas, and scored for fun. Tottenham fired in a whopping 24 crosses, and not of the speculative kind. Emerson Royal and Ryan Sessegnon stretched Southampton’s back five, and Dejan Kulusevski’s quick footwork made mince meat of what was left of it. Conte’s teams are at their best when they’re swarming the pitch. In almost a year at the helm, he’s now achieving his vision at Tottenham. Forget a place in the top four: Tottenham have what it takes to challenge City and Liverpool for the title.

West Ham United

Antonio and Scamacca can’t co-exist

West Ham United had the unfortunate honor of providing the opposition on Haaland’s Premier League debut. Spoiler: It didn’t go well. But they’ll get over that. What’s of more lasting concern is their own striker situation. Much is expected of angular Italian Gianluca Scamacca, who made his own debut when he replaced Michail Antonio in the second half. Therein lies the problem. Antonio has been a revelation at center-forward for the Hammers, but he’ll be displaced, in some way, to accommodate Scamacca, who arrived in London with a hefty price tag. Getting the best out of his two physical forwards could prove challenging for David Moyes, who’ll need to make concessions elsewhere on the pitch if he plans to play them together.

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Isaac Parkin – PA Images / PA Images / Getty

Regression coming for Jose Sa

Much of Wolverhampton’s success last season can be attributed to the excellence of Jose Sa between the sticks. Underlying metrics suggested the Portuguese netminder wasn’t merely good in 2021-22, he was the best pure shot-stopper in England’s top flight. His outstanding track record was the main reason why it was so surprising to see him concede from a bad angle against Leeds; Rodrigo’s low shot had some fizz on it, but the goalkeeper’s dismayed reaction to the goal told the story. He knew he should’ve kept it out. If Sa isn’t at his absolute best, it’s going to be a very long year for goal-shy Wolves and Bruno Lage.

Premier League

Breaking down thrilling EPL title race with 10 games left

Find the biggest stories from across the soccer world by visiting our Top Soccer News section and subscribing to push notifications.

One of the most intoxicating title races in Premier League history is, mercifully, ready to resume.

The quirks of the calendar – an FA Cup weekend succeeded by an agonizing international window – means the titanic tussle between Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City will have been on hiatus for a full three weeks before it gets back underway on Sunday.

But there are no more impending interruptions. With 10 matches remaining for each title contender, we’re barreling toward a resolution to the type of three-way battle that’s exceedingly rare in England’s top flight. There’s never been a season in the Premier League era where three teams went into the final day with a chance to hoist the trophy. This could be it. The last time it happened was the 1971-72 campaign, when Derby County won an incredible four-team fight, narrowly beating Leeds United and, ominously, Liverpool and Man City to the crown. We’re overdue for that kind of drama.

That three sides have converged this way at all is, frankly, remarkable.

These are the three best teams in the country by an enormous margin. They’re the only ones with an expected goal difference per game of plus-1.0 or greater this season. The next best mark, surprisingly, belongs to Mauricio Pochettino’s erratic Chelsea team at plus-0.36. So, yeah, it’s not close.

The three of them are also on a tear and show no signs of slowing down. Arsenal have won all eight of their league games in 2024, scoring 33 goals in the process; Liverpool have collected 22 of a possible 27 points in that time; reigning champions Manchester City have racked up 23 of 27 points. They’ve combined for just one loss since the calendar flipped – Liverpool’s 3-1 defeat against Arsenal in early February.

The only sides that look capable of halting their progress are each other, which makes this weekend’s clash between Manchester City and Arsenal at the Etihad all the more significant.

Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Premier League

Euro 2024 playoffs: Miraculous Ukraine comeback, big result for Wales

Find the biggest stories from across the soccer world by visiting our Top Soccer News section and subscribing to push notifications.

Wales, Greece, and Poland registered statement wins Thursday, joining three other teams in next Tuesday’s playoff finals for the three remaining places at Euro 2024.

Ukraine staged an incredible late comeback against Bosnia and Herzegovina in its semifinal to keep its Euro dream alive.

The highest-placed team in FIFA’s rankings that’s no longer in contention to reach the tournament in Germany is 60th-placed Finland.

Here’s how the playoff semifinals across Path A, B, and C played out.

Path A

Mateusz Slodkowski / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Poland 5-1 Estonia

Estonia barely stood a chance. Down to 10 men as early as the 27th minute, the northern Europeans could only muster a consolation goal in a 5-1 loss to Poland. The Polish achieved the rout without Robert Lewandowski getting on the scoresheet and remain unbeaten in 21 Euro qualifiers at home, a magnificent run dating back to September 2006. Poland is trying to make up for a poor qualifying campaign in which it finished third in Group E, four points behind the Czech Republic and Albania. The country hasn’t missed the Euros since 2004.

Wales 4-1 Finland

The Red Wall might descend on Germany this summer. Wales’ raucous supporters have legitimate hopes of traveling to another major tournament after the Dragons scorched Finland without the retired Gareth Bale and with Aaron Ramsey, 33, on the bench after more injury problems. Teemu Pukki gave the visiting team some hope just before halftime following well-taken finishes from David Brooks and Neco Williams. But Wales needed just 73 seconds of the second period to restore its two-goal cushion via Brennan Johnson’s tap-in. Daniel James took advantage of a defensive error before rounding the goalkeeper in the 86th minute to give the host a resounding victory.

Playoff final: Wales vs. Poland, Tuesday 3:45 p.m. ET

Path B

Israel 1-4 Iceland

Iceland’s Albert Gudmundsson stole the show with an emphatic hat-trick against Israel on Thursday. His stunning free-kick into the top right corner canceled out Eran Zahavi’s opening goal for Israel, and he created a nice cushion for his country with a pair of markers in the final 10 minutes. Just before that, Zahavi blew an incredible opportunity to equalize the match at 2-2, missing a penalty awarded for handball against Iceland’s Gudmundur Thorarinsson. A red card to Israel’s Haim Revivo didn’t help the trailing side. Iceland is now a game away from making only its second-ever appearance at the Euros following its quarterfinal run in 2016.

Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-2 Ukraine

Ukraine scored twice with just minutes remaining in regulation to snatch what seemed to be a sure victory from Bosnia and Herzegovina on Thursday. Bosnia controlled play for most of the match and took the lead in the 56th minute when Mykola Matviyenko turned in Amar Dedic’s shot into his own net. But a colossal defensive lapse cost the Bosnians a chance to make it a record four countries from the former Yugoslavia at Euro 2024. Roman Yaremchuk came off the bench to equalize in the 85th minute and teed up Artem Dovbyk’s sensational winning header three minutes later to turn the playoff semifinal on its head. Ukraine now faces Iceland with a third consecutive Euro appearance at stake.

Playoff final: Ukraine vs. Iceland, Tuesday 3:45 p.m. ET

Path C

Georgia 2-0 Luxembourg

Two clever finishes from Budu Zivzivadze in Tbilisi assured Georgia of a place in Path C’s final – and all without the help of suspended talisman Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. But it wasn’t that simple for the host. Luxembourg thought it equalized during the second half, only for the goal to be eventually snatched away due to Maxime Chanot’s apparent foul 45 seconds earlier. Luxembourg’s Chanot was controversially sent off for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity, and Zivzivadze effectively ended the match six minutes later with his second strike. Kvaratskhelia is available for the final.

Greece 5-0 Kazakhstan

Anastasios Bakasetas lashed home a penalty, Dimitrios Pelkas headed into the net’s roof, Fotis Ioannidis tapped in from close range, and Dimitrios Kourbelis added another header. And that was all before halftime. Kazakhstan’s impressive 2022-23 Nations League campaign and notable Euro 2024 qualifying wins over Denmark, Northern Ireland (twice), and Finland suddenly seemed ages ago, as Greece recorded its biggest halftime lead since October 1978 (5-0 against Finland). Aleksandr Marochkin’s embarrassing own goal in the 85th minute made Kazakhstan’s day even worse.

Playoff final: Georgia vs. Greece, Tuesday 1:00 p.m. ET

Premier League

Look: Nike unveils beautiful kit selection for Euro 2024, Copa America

Find the biggest stories from across the soccer world by visiting our Top Soccer News section and subscribing to push notifications.

Nike released a stunning batch of threads ahead of Euro 2024 and Copa America on Monday.

Days after Adidas launched its lineup for the summer’s top two tournaments, Nike followed suit with an array of colorful designs.

The U.S. manufacturer also announced redesigns for Canada and Poland, even though they’ve yet to qualify for their respective tournaments. The Canucks face Trinidad and Tobago in a one-off Copa America qualifier on Saturday, while Poland must navigate a four-team playoff to reach Euro 2024.

(All images courtesy of Nike)