Liverpool stumble, Tottenham impress in EPL openers

While Liverpool made a stuttering begin to the English Premier League, Tottenham confirmed it is perhaps able to take one other step ahead beneath Antonio Conte.

Liverpool needed to come from behind twice to salvage a 2-2 draw at promoted Fulham on Saturday, largely because of new signing Darwin Nunez, after a efficiency that Jurgen Klopp conceded was properly in need of the group’s requirements.

Tottenham additionally conceded an early objective however got here roaring again to earn a 4-1 victory at residence in opposition to Southampton after a dominant show that hinted that Spurs are properly gelled after a full offseason beneath Conte, who took over as supervisor final November.

Chelsea additionally had a profitable begin however in much less spectacular vogue, holding on for 1-0 at Everton after Jorginho netted a late first-half penalty.

Newcastle, Leeds and Bournemouth additionally received of their league openers.

Fulham impress on their return however Salah scores late on to separate the factors#FULLIV pic.twitter.com/VckQBxz5Ob

— Premier League (@premierleague) August 6, 2022

At Craven Cottage, Fulham threatened to drag off a serious upset as Aleksandar Mitrovic put the hosts forward twice in opposition to Liverpool. But Nunez got here off the bench to attain one objective and arrange the opposite for Mohamed Salah.

Liverpool practically grabbed all three factors when Jordan Henderson hit the crossbar in damage time with a long-distance shot, however even Klopp agreed {that a} win would have been undeserved.

“The start of the game was really bad from us,” Klopp stated. “No direction, no positivity, no opening up, no breaking lines, nothing (of) what you have to do.”

It was a distinct story in north London, the place Tottenham reacted beautifully to going behind within the twelfth minute.

Ryan Sessegnon and Eric Dier put Spurs in entrance by halftime and Southampton defender Mohammed Salibu netted a comical personal objective when attempting to clear the ball off the road within the 61st minute. Dejan Kulusevski capped a stellar efficiency by slotting within the fourth two minutes later.

FULL-TIME Spurs 4-1 Southampton

A dominant Spurs efficiency offers Antonio Conte’s males a convincing opening victory over Saints #TOTSOU pic.twitter.com/KiIbRKia0Y

— Premier League (@premierleague) August 6, 2022

“It was a perfect start for us, despite going behind,” Conte stated. “I liked the game a lot for the result but especially the way in which the result was created — creating many chances to score, good possession, good high and medium pressure and we were good when we lost the ball and the intensity to try and get it back. … Today we have seen (the) summer work with my players.”

Conte spent a lot of final season complaining a few lack of squad depth, however nonetheless opted to not begin any of the group’s six offseason signings. Ivan Perisic, Clement Lenglet and Yves Bissouma got here off the bench as a substitute to point out that Conte additionally has elevated choices this season as Spurs tries to hitch champion Manchester City and Liverpool within the struggle for the title.

NEWCASTLE SPOILS FOREST’S RETURN

Nottingham Forest spent many of the recreation defending in its return to the highest flight after an absence of 23 years. The newcomer held agency for practically an hour at St. James’ Park however couldn’t stop Newcastle’s Fabian Schar from lastly breaking the impasse with a long-range shot. Newcastle received 2-0 after Callum Wilson added the second within the 78th.

“We were second best in the game no doubt,” Forest supervisor Steve Cooper stated. “We coped OK in terms of possession and territory but didn’t play well enough with the ball.”

Fellow newcomer Bournemouth obtained off to a greater begin after Scott Parker received the battle of the previous England midfielders as his group earned a 2-0 residence win over Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa.

FULL-TIME Newcastle 2-0 Nott’m Forest

Two glorious second half targets wrap up the three factors for Newcastle#NEWNFO pic.twitter.com/4FtWh1yeNM

— Premier League (@premierleague) August 6, 2022

Jefferson Lerma and Kieffer Moore scored both aspect of halftime at Vitality Stadium as Gerrard — who performed alongside Parker at Euro 2012 — minimize a annoyed determine for a lot of the afternoon.

His expensively assembled group dominated possession within the south-coast sunshine however was toothless in assault.

AARONSON GIVES LEEDS A SPARK

There was a definite American taste to Leeds’ 2-1 win over Wolverhampton at residence.

U.S worldwide Brenden Aaronson performed a key half within the profitable objective as he rushed in to fulfill a cross from Patrick Bamford, though it was credited as an personal objective by defender Rayan Ait-Nouri, who tried to clear the ball solely to poke it into his personal.

Leeds went behind early when Daniel Podence scored for the guests within the sixth minute with a volley that spun off the turf and in off the underside of the crossbar.

FULL-TIME Leeds 2-1 Wolves

Leeds begin the season with victory after preventing again from a objective down#LEEWOL pic.twitter.com/PvCOgSjHGj

— Premier League (@premierleague) August 6, 2022

Rodrigo leveled for the hosts within the twenty fourth.

Aaronson and fellow U.S. worldwide Tyler Adams made their first begins for Leeds, which is managed by American coach Jesse Marsch.

“All the debutants did quite well,” Marsch advised the BBC. “(Aaronson) is relentless. He is nonstop. His work rate is incredible. I know him well and the thing I know about him is he is only going to get better.”

CHELSEA ‘HAVE THINGS TO IMPROVE’

Chelsea earned its first win at Goodison Park in 5 visits, however coach Thomas Tuchel acknowledged his group seemed rusty as he tries to include new signings whereas dealing with the shortage of a pure striker.

“We have things to improve but this isn’t a surprise,” Tuchel stated. “We struggled physically but showed the spirit to get the clean sheet.”

🔵 @ChelseaFC kick off the season with three factors #EVECHE pic.twitter.com/Ym7dQ247yr

— Premier League (@premierleague) August 6, 2022

Everton can be with no striker and misplaced two extra gamers as Ben Godfrey was carried off early with a suspected damaged leg and Yerry Mina exited within the second half with an ankle damage.

Godfrey’s damage meant there was eight minutes of stoppage time within the first half, and Jorginho transformed a penalty seconds earlier than the interval after Abdoulaye Doucoure pulled down Ben Chilwell.