Matchday 2 of the 2021-22 Premier League season did not have many surprises but delivered some exciting matches.
West Ham United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, and Brighton continued their perfect start to the season securing six points from their opening two games. Wolves, Burnley, Newcastle United, Arsenal, and Norwich City have yet to get a point on the table having both lost their fixtures.
5 talking points from Matchday 2 of the 2021-22 Premier League
Manchester City romp past Norwich City
Normal service resumed at the Etihad as Manchester City brushed aside a woeful Norwich City side on Saturday. New signing Jack Grealish got his first goal for the club, while Aymeric Laporte, Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez also got their names on the scoring sheet.
City dominated possession and allowed the Canaries just one shot on goal in the entire match. Pep Guardiola’s men were on the front foot right from the first whistle and put aside their opening day woes to get a convincing win this past weekend. Next up is Arsenal for the defending champions, a game they are expected to win.
Romelu Lukaku debuts on a high; Arsenal’s woes continue
Romelu Lukaku bullied his way to a superb performance against Arsenal on his second Chelsea debut. The former Everton and Manchester United forward was thrown into the starting XI by Thomas Tuchel and he repaid his manager’s trust by scoring inside the opening 15 minutes.
The Belgian looks fit, fresh, and raring to go this time around at Chelsea, which he showed in the game against Arsenal with his link-up play and runs into the box. Arsenal, meanwhile, were terrible throughout the game and didn’t pose any threat whatsoever. With games against Manchester City and Tottenham in the next four Premier League fixtures for them, Mikel Arteta could be under tremendous pressure by October itself.
Klopp, Solskjaer moan about new Premier League rules
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer are unhappy with new Premier League rules where referees will allow the game to flow. Solskjaer was adamant that Southampton defender Jack Stephens fouled Bruno Fernandes in the build-up to the Saints’ goal.
Jurgen Klopp was unhappy at Burnley’s physical style of play, which he deemed was similar to wrestling. The FA has instructed referees to permit the game to go on post such instances to improve the flow of the game in a similar manner to what UEFA did at Euro 2020.
West Ham United score four for the second week running
West Ham United have been on a roll in the opening two games of the season, scoring 4 goals in each game. David Moyes’ side came from behind to win the game 4-2 against Newcastle United, while they once again scored 4 goals this weekend against Leicester City in Matchday 2.
The Hammers were helped with the dismissal of Leicester’s Ayoze Perez, who was sent off in the first half. Michail Antonio scored two late goals, while Pablo Fornals and Said Benrahma scored one goal apiece. David Moyes’ men will need to keep this good form going as they will have a tough schedule once the Europa League kicks off.
Harry Kane returns to Spurs
Harry Kane, who has been linked with a move to Manchester City, featured for the first time this season on Saturday, against Wolves in Matchday 2. The Englishman came on late in the game to replace Son Heung-min and got an ovation from the Spurs faithful.
The English captain could have also scored a goal late in the game but was smothered by Wolves keeper Jose Sa. It remains to be seen if Nuno Espirito Santo will start him next time around when Spurs play Watford on Sunday.