Top-10 Performers of the Premier League Opener
Which players impressed during the opening weekend
The Premier League returned over the weekend and as usual it made for exciting viewing.
The campaign got underway on Saturday lunch-time with Manchester United hosting Tottenham Hotspur, before reigning champions Chelsea hosted Swansea City in the evening.
Sunday saw three games take place, including Arsenal taking on West Ham United and Liverpool returning to the Britannia Stadium just months after their 6-1 mauling.
There is one remaining game to play in the opening weekend tonight which sees West Bromwich Albion take on Manchester City, but SillySeason are going to identify their top-10 performers from over the weekend.
So which players stood out for us during the opening weekend?
It’s time to find out!
10) Matteo Darmian
Our first player to impress was Manchester United summer signing Matteo Darmian.
Even though Louis Van Gaal said the young Italian would be back-up to Antonio Valencia throughout the season, Darmian started against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday and put in a great display for his Premier League debut.
The right-back looked comfortable on the ball and under pressure, whilst also providing options on the attack and also whilst defending.
A solid debut from the former-Torino star and maybe a showing of what’s to come from the right-back.
Van Gaal may have to rethink who is number-one full-back is especially after this performance.
9) Adrian
Although it was West Ham United‘s defence that enjoyed a great display at the Emirates Stadium, they were benefited from having an assured goalkeeper behind them.
Adrian made a few top saves to deny Arsenal, with a couple stand-out saves to deny Olivier Giroud and Alexis Sanchez, but it was his overall dominance in the penalty area that means he makes our list.
Every air-ball was met by the onrushing goalkeeper and he commanded the ball when it was pumped into the box.
West Ham‘s defenders were left feeling more confident with the big-man on top form behind them.
A clean sheet at the Emirates Stadium is always impressive as well.
8) Kone
This guy has barely had any playing time at Everton due to injuries and also the competition for places, but against Watford he was a real performer.
Not only did the striker net a goal for himself, he also set up the other so he put in a decisive performance for The Toffees.
Roberto Martinez‘s men went behind twice in the game to newly-promoted Watford, but thanks to Kone, they managed to claw the game back twice and earned a point.
Everton fans will want to see it more often from the striker however.
7) Andre Ayew
It’s always tough to make your debut in the Premier League, and it’s made especially tough when your first game is away at the champions.
However, Andre Ayew settled nicely at Swansea City and performed brilliantly against Chelsea, netting a goal in the process and drawing his side level at Stamford Bridge.
A neat finish inside the box put The Swans level and he was a hard worker throughout the draw.
Can he keep it up all season? That’s the question.
6) Marc Albrighton
When your team scores four and you play a part in three of them, you’ve got to be on the list.
That’s what Marc Albrighton did for Leicester City as he bagged himself a goal and also set up two of the others during The Foxes‘ 4-2 win over Sunderland.
A great display from the midfielder and a deserved spot on our list.
He’s not the only Fox to make it on our list either after their impressive opening weekend display
5) Joe Gomez
When you are a teenager, making your Premier League debut must be tough.
However, Joe Gomez looked right at home at the back for Liverpool, especially as they were away at one of the toughest grounds in the Premier League.
The Reds returned to Britannia Stadium just months after their 6-1 mauling there, but this time around they came away with a 1-0 win thanks to a Philippe Coutinho wonder-goal.
However, it’s the men at the back that impressed us the most and Gomez was one of them.
For an 18-year-old, he looked calm, composed and a real enforcer at the back.
4) Winston Reid
We mentioned earlier how impressive West Ham‘s defence was against Arsenal, and largely it was down to this guy.
Reid was close to leaving The Hammers over the summer on a free transfer, but instead he decided to sign a long-term contract at Upton Park and remain at the club.
The New Zealand star put in a superb performance at the Emirates Stadium, and kept Olivier Giroud quiet all game.
His demanding nature made it tough for Arsenal to break them down and he was crucial to the clean-sheet and the three points.
3) Dimitri Payet
Another West Ham United player. Yes they were that good.
Dimitri Payet was on another level at the Emirates Stadium. So much so, he outshone Mesut Ozil, Santi Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey.
He was vital to West Ham‘s attacking plays and carried the ball effortlessly from defence to attack.
Numerous times the midfielder picked the ball up in tight and dangerous spaces, but time after time he managed to force his way out of danger and start a counter attack.
Simply stunning debut.
2) Riyad Mahrez
Nothing like a brace to start the Premier League campaign off.
Riyad Mahrez netted twice in Leicester City‘s 4-2 victory over Sunderland and played a massive part in the victory.
The midfielder could be a crucial part of Claudio Ranieri‘s team and he will be hoping the opener was just a start for him for the 2015/2016 campaign.
A brace is a pretty solid start.
1) Reece Oxford
If you dominate Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, you deserve to be mentioned.
If you do that at the age of 16-years-old, you deserve top spot on our list and that’s exactly where Reece Oxford finds himself this week!
SillySeason writers were so impressed with the teenager’s performance, they just had to put him on top-spot for the week.
Just like team-mate Dimitri Payet, he outshone the likes of Ramsey, Cazorla and Ozil, and not only that, he looked like he belonged on the same pitch as those stars.
16-years-old?! Unreal performance.
So there are our 10-players from the opening weekend.
What are yours?
Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt