As the English Premier League has returned in full swing and with fans back at the Stadia, things are set to become more intense and exciting.
In this piece which I'd endeavour to do weekly, we'd be looking at some records, facts and stats across randomly selected match centres for each game week.
Overall, this season's Matchday 1 is the one with the second-highest goals scored in the competition's history. 34 goals in 10 games and no draw was witnessed. This means the top and bottom ten teams have three and zero points each, respectively.
Brentford vs Arsenal
After a 75-year break from the top flight, West London side, Brentford became the 50th different team to play in the Premier League and the 10th from London. Welcome!
Scoring the first goal of the EPL season, Sergi Canós became the first Brentford player to score for the Bees in the top-flight since Len Townsend in May 1947 against Sunderland, an amazing 27,110 days apart. Aged.
Kieran Tierney created six chances against Brentford, no other player came close on the opening Matchday. Wasteful!
Manchester United vs Leeds United
Following his quadruple assists against Leeds United, Paul Pogba became the seventh player to provide 4+ assists in the Premier League after the likes of Dennis Bergkamp, Jose Antonio Reyes (late), Cesc Fabregas, Emmanuel Adebayor, Santi Cazorla and most recently, Harry Kane._ Great Company!
Bagging a hatrick on the opening day, Bruno Fernandes became the 10th scorer of a hatrick on the opening day of the season. Interesting but coincidentally, Leeds United are the first to be victims of two of such, with Mohammed Salah of Liverpool putting three past them in last season's opener. What a fate!
Made his debut in February 2020 for Manchester United, Fernandes has been directly involved in 46 goals for the Reds, 27 goals and 19 assists. Stuff.
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace
Marcos Alonso struck a wonderful free-kick, making it Chelsea's 50th direct free kick in the premier league history, 14 behind Manchester United. Accuracy.
During his playing career, Palace coach, Patrick Vieira never lost a game against Chelsea, playing 10 times against the blues, but has now lost more times (1) as a manager. Different ball game.
Watford vs Aston Villa
Danny Ings' penalty was the 2,000th penalty scored in Premier League history. What a number from the spot.
Norwich vs Liverpool
In the history of the premier league, only three teams have lost 11 consecutive games, Norwich being the latest joiners after Sunderland and Aston Villa. Not a nice company.
Since Jurgen Klopp took over at Liverpool, the Reds have scored three or more goals in all six of their opening weekend premier league games. What an influence!
Egyptian, Mohamed Salah became the first player in the competition's history to score on the opening weekend of five consecutive seasons: vs Watford (17/18), vs West Ham (18/19), vs Norwich (19/20), vs Leeds United (20/21) and vs Norwich (21/22). Opening day Master.
Roberto Firmino's strike was Liverpool's 8,000th goal in the top flight history, becoming only the second side to hit that total, after Man Utd (8,089).
Newcastle vs West Ham
Since scoring against Chelsea in November 2019, Aaron Cresswell scored his first Premier League goal. Coincidentally, it was Jacob Murphy's first-ever Premier League goal at St.James’ Park for Newcastle, having scored all of his previous three away from home. Prodigal son.
For two consecutive seasons, Callum Wilson has scored against West Ham in the opening game of the season. As if that's not enough, he has scored more goals against West Ham in the league than any other team, netting 9 times in 11 outings. Nemesis
Michail Antonio has moved to the top of the chart as West Ham's joint-leading Premier League goalscorer in the club's history with Paolo Di Canio on 47 goals. Making way to the history book.
Tottenham vs Manchester City
Manchester City and Pep Guardiola have lost on all of their three visits to the Tottenham Hotspur stadium in the premier league and like a thorn in the flesh, Heung-Min Son has scored in all three. Not welcomed.
The South Korean, having scored 71 goals for Spurs, has now scored more goals than Manchester United legend, Eric Cantona, who scored 70. Club Legend?
Guardiola has now lost four away games against Tottenham, more than any other side in his career. Foes.
After Jurgen Klopp, Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Guardiola has lost three premier league games against Spurs' new manager, Nuno Espirito Santo. Men!
City lost for the first time in 11 seasons on the opening day of the season. First-timers.
It would interest you to know that the Manchester City starting XI against Tottenham is the most expensive team in history, valued at £550M, an average of £50M per player. Oil Money
That's all for this week and I hope you enjoyed it. Let's do more. 💪
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