Debutants made an impact on their first outings but some did far better than others on the opening weekend
It is unfair to pick out one player from Manchester United’s dire opening display under Erik ten Hag but Lisandro Martínez seriously struggled against Brighton. These are, of course, the earliest of days for the new centre-back but he will have to learn fast. The diminutive Argentinian is a footballer the manager knows well but there are question marks over his stature. There will be serial aerial bombardment this season of the type he failed to deal with against Brighton, with Danny Welbeck rising highest above him when missing a close-range header in the second half. Martínez might also have conceded a penalty when bundling over the same player in a performance that did nothing to suggest the 24-year-old can help plug United’s leaky rearguard. Jamie Jackson
Match report: Manchester United 1-2 Brighton
Match report: Fulham 2-2 Liverpool
Match report: West Ham 0-2 Manchester City
Match report: Crystal Palace 0-2 Arsenal
Match report: Newcastle 2-0 Nottingham Forest
Match report: Tottenham 4-1 Southampton
Match report: Everton 0-1 Chelsea
Continue reading...