THE SON SHINES : 3 Talking Points From The EPL Opening Weekend

 

The EPL sneaked into our thoughts of Friday August 13 as Brentford FC reminded fans of what magic this league is all about as the stunned Arsenal 2-0 in front of a delighted home support. It was their first top flight appearance in 74 years, with 10 games gone and 370 to go Ziccifoot looks at these talking points from the first weekend.

No Kane No Problem?

  The manner in which Nuno Espirito Santo's Tottenham cherry picked defending Champions Man City was really one for the cameras as Heung-Min Son's customary celebration suggested. However, when we scratch a little deeper we a team playing with tactical discipline and in such manner as to make lightof Harry Kane's absence. Bergwijn has a telepathic understanding with Son a Tottenham's defence was pretty resolute.  The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly Son's brave strike from the edge of the box just enough for his side to edge the Cityzens. The road is surely long with this being the 1st out of 38 for the lily whites, last season Kane and Son combined goal contributions reached 34 goals just 2 behind Drogba/Lampard. It is yet unknown whether the duo will surpass the record as Kane's future hangs in the balance. If Kane does leave Nuno will need to galvanise and motivate his team many more times but he has the team to live without the lethal England captain.

BRUGBA!!!

A lot, a whole lot has the said about the ability of Bruno Fernandes and Paul Paul Pogba's partnership in midfield. These questions have been asked and with good reason because while fernandes' career at United has been explosive and exceeded many expectations  that of Pogba has been plagued with inconsistencies, flashes of brilliance that are few and far between. While Pogba's talent isn't in doubt , the ability to produce every week has raised questions about the two playing together. Saturday's early kick off however did prove us wrong as pogba bagged 4 assists (2 for Bruno) eclipsing his tally of of last season and Bruno scoring an opening day hat trick United's 2nd in the league post Ferguson. BRUGBA 's latest showing will leave fans drooling for more and critics staying tuned.

No Blinking

There were no draws in the EPL opening weekend. This stat has a loud message for all 20 clubs.. Since taking over at Stamford Bridge Thomas Tuchel has made Chelsea look like a team reborn. The 3-0 victory over Patrick Vieira's Palace seemed a routine victory but that hasn't been the case in recent years.  Chelsea will be looking to go one better I think by winning the EPL and the re-signing of old boy Romelu Lukaku is a bold writing on the wall. Manchester United's big margin victory has put them in pole position after GW1 and Varane has been recruited to sure up a somewhat shaky defence. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has a lot of attacking options to spick from and now he has a good problem to deal with. The only lacking ingredient could be right mentality and motivation. That's you're the manager Ole.. 

No City Blues

In the absence of a recognised striker Man City got of to a very wrong foot losing at White hart lane. However, we all know better than writing of a Pep Guardiola side. Well no just yet put into consideration the beginning of life without record goal scorer Sergio Aguero and the 'hunger' of their opponents Tottenham. Two goals conceded and none scored in their last two games doesn't sound very Man city to anyone but stats don't lie, they still have their possession football going for them and it's a question of when and not if..  

Tottenham on the other hand have a manger who has seemingly craved this kind of challenge all his career, his exploits with Wolves and Spurs showing against the champions makes it clear that Nuno is on a mission.

now let's talk about 

... Leicester City . The 2015/16 defending champions have normalised being in the top 6 in recent seasons. This is down to a shift in mentality (I think). Seeing themselves as a big team (well they are) under Brendan Rodgers has catapulted  the foxes to winning the FA Cup against Chelsea last season and the Community Shield against Man City . These wins are no fluke my friends, make no mistake about it. An Ageless Vardy and A rejuvenated Iheanachò can be crucial to this team. Since arriving the King Power Stadium Rodgers has forged a team capable of grinding out narrow wins and/or draws, now this is what Champions do right?

Liverpool

Had a comfortable victory over Norwich on Saturday evening. On the back of an indifferent season no one knows what to expect from Liverpool. However  Salah is still out here breaking records for fun. Liverpool's ability to sneak into the top3 on the final day of last season is still a mystery. Their attack remains as sharp as ever and with Virgil Vantastic back at the back this title race needs no blinking from any contender..