ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE SEASON 2021/2022
Third week of the EPL concluded this Sunday with all the 20 teams completing their third round of matches with Tottenham Hotspurs being the only team to have won all their initial three matches but things will change as the tournament progresses with tougher opponents facing each other when fourth round of matches begins on 11th September 2021 after two weeks International break.
Tottenham Hotspurs VS Watford
For Hotspurs Son Heung-min made his 200th Premier League appearance with the winning goal as Tottenham maintained their 100% start to the season against Watford. It also makes Nuno Espirito Santo become just the second Tottenham boss to win his first three league games in charge of the club, the last one to accomplish that feat being Arthur Rowe in 1949. While newly promoted Watford are likely to have more objectives for the rest of the season, Spurs victory and performance set them up nicely for a challenging run of fixtures when the Premier League resumes. London derbies against Crystal Palace, Chelsea and Arsenal are next on the agenda for Nuno's side. Spurs are yet to concede a league goal this term and the way by which their defenders Dier and Sanchez threw themselves in front to block the balls that look destined to end up in their net underlined a new attitude to defending.
Manchester United VS Wolverhampton Wanderers
Cristiano Ronaldo's presence was felt as Manchester United beat Wolves in their first game since announcing they had reached an agreement to re-sign the forward. Ronaldo did not play this match but United's travelling fans sang his name, with the Red Devils expected to confirm the arrival of the five-time Ballon d'Or winner from Juventus. Chants of 'Viva Ronaldo' could be heard outside the ground two hours before kick-off. Inside the stadium United fans wore CR7 T-shirts, held up 'welcome back Ronaldo' signs and wore replica shirts with his name on the back. Supporters also displayed a cardboard cut out of Ronaldo, while Solskjaer spoke excitedly before the match about the imminent return of the 36-year-old. On the pitch, Red Devils were on the receiving end for most of the match before Mason Greenwood scored a contentious late winner. Wolves felt Ruben Neves was fouled, but the goal was allowed to stand with Neves protesting to referee Mike Dean at the final whistle. Wolves missed almost three clear chances up inside first half. United were second best for long periods and it required a spectacular double save by De Gea from Romain Saiss to prevent Wolves from taking the lead before Greenwood's finish. Wolves remain without a point under new boss Bruno Lage after a third successive 1-0 loss. The fast pace of Adama Traore ensured his side started on the front foot against a United side who struggled to get in rhythm apart from their opening-weekend win over Leeds. For Wolves having managed 15 attempts on target in their opening three games, they are yet to score a goal and have now lost their last six Premier League matches (including last three matches last season).
Liverpool VS Chelsea
In the other blockbuster match Chelsea frustrated Liverpool in a fast and furious Anfield encounter to claim a hard earned point despite being reduced to 10 men at half time after Reece James' intentional hand ball on goal line in the first-half sending-off with a penalty awarded to Liverpool. In this battle between two Premier League superpowers who are fully expected to contest for the title this season, Liverpool pressed hard throughout the match especially in the second half, but the Champions League holders were superbly organised and will ultimately be satisfied with the draw despite holding the possession for only one third of the match. Liverpool started at a super-charged pace but Chelsea were well composed and took the lead when Kai Havertz sent an angled header beyond the reach of keeper Alisson from James' corner in 22nd minute. Mason Mount also wasted a glorious opportunity to double Chelsea's lead before the game exploded in controversy in the closing moments of the first half. Liverpool were awarded a penalty following a goalmouth scramble in which Joel Matip hit the bar and James swept Sadio Mane's shot off the line with his hand. Referee Anthony Taylor awarded the penalty after consulting VAR, adding insult to Chelsea's injury by showing the defender the red card. Mohamed Salah netted home with the penalty to set up a second-half Liverpool siege but Chelsea were more than up to the challenge. Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel will have been delighted with the way his team adapted in this match with a blow of conceding a penalty and suffering a numerical disadvantage. For Liverpool Klopp can take solace from the outstanding performance of defender Joel Matip, who was unrivalled throughout and kept Romelu Lukaku quiet, although Chelsea's £97.5m striker was left to play a lone hand in the second half with Chelsea down to 10 men. In the end, the honours were shared between two outstanding sides but Liverpool will feel less satisfied by the draw with the backing of Anfield crowd behind them and the chance to put Chelsea on mat with their reduced numbers.
Manchester City VS Arsenal
Ten men Arsenal were completely outplayed by Manchester City as they slumped to the bottom of the Premier League. It is the first time since 1954 that the Gunners have lost their three opening games of the league season and this match was effectively over by half-time itself. City captain Gundogan and striker Torres scored in the first 12 minutes and any hope Arsenal had of comeback in this match was ended when midfielder Xhaka was sent off for lunging into a challenge on Joao Cancelo. A trademark run from £100m man Jack Grealish set up Jesus for an easy third just before the break, Rodri guided home a fourth from 20 yards just after it. Such was City’s control in the match that manager Guardiola had used all three substitutes within 16 minutes of the second half starting. It turned into an extended keep-ball session for the hosts who finished off the rout with Torres' second goal six minutes from time. Guardiola's counterpart and his former assistant Mikel Arteta looked shell-shocked in the other technical area as City wasted many opportunities to increase the margin of victory. By the end, Arsenal had only managed a single shot that is also off target and 19% of possession. Gunners looked without ammunition and are yet to fire in the Premier League this season and immediately after the international break will play Norwich, the team they replaced at the foot of the table. Manchester City are next in action at Leicester on Saturday, 11 September and on the same day, Arsenal entertain Norwich.
Numerous events led to the Premier League…
The 80s were a gloomy time for the English Football clubs. The 1985-86 league started without TV coverage, the attendance were a record low and the leagues were notorious for hooligans. The English football clubs were banned from UEFA after the Heysel Stadium disaster. The dates to comply with the Taylor Report were nearing. And the biggest clubs in the country had already begun discussions about launching a new independent league.
In 1992 all the clubs in the top division of the English Football League would resign and join the newly formed Premier League that would operate separately from the EFL. Despite that it would continue to be a part of the league system taking over the place and function of Division One with the best teams from the second level being promoted to the Premier League and the worst from, being relegated to the second division. The next three tiers are incorporated in the EFL. Followed by two additional tiers, which are part of the National League.
Soon after the start of Premier League, the terraces for standing were forbidden and instead the whole audience was to sit down to watch the games.
New contracts were made with television companies that understood the potential of the game’s popularity. Sky was given the TV rights and they expanded the program to five-hours sessions. The concept were highly influenced by the American NFL broadcasting, features such as Monday Night Football were introduced for the TV audience.
Since then, Premier League has been the most watched Football League. It consists of 20 teams except for the first three seasons which totaled to 22 teams that would meet each other two times per season in home and away manner. 380 games are played in total and the team having highest points at the end of the season are crowned Champions.
The Premier League has four places in the UEFA Champions League and one place in Europa League.
Play a game.
More names for you to find.
You are looking for CR7, Salah, Son and Man City midfielder Ilkay.
That’s it for now. See you after the international break.
Here’s what you missed from our previous issues:
A brief history and Timeline of the EFL.
A sport called Cuju.