Hot team
Ever since Hull City won promotion to the Premiership in May, the bookmakers and pundits (myself included) haven’t given the club a hope in hell’s chance of surviving in the top flight.
Phil Brown’s men would have been delighted in shutting a few people up with an excellent 2-1 victory over Fulham on their big league debut.
While one win doesn’t make a season, Hull showed great fight in overturning Fulham’s eighth minute lead. Giovanni produced an imperious performance, capped by a 20-yard screamer that brought the Tigers their equaliser.
Plaudits too for Chelsea, who kicked off with a 4-0 win over Portsmouth and Aston Villa who destroyed Manchester City 4-1.
Not hot team
Tottenham Hotspur kept up with their tradition of the last couple of years – losing their opening day fixture away to an un-fancied northern team.
In 06/07 it was Bolton who upset the Lilywhites, while last campaign it was Sunderland. Middlesbrough added to Spurs’ tales of woe on Saturday, beating Spurs 2-1 at the Riverside Stadium.
The defeat showed the north Londoners are a million miles from the top four in terms of quality and may well struggle to achieve the fifth place they’ve been so heavily tipped for this season.
Despite having a large share of possession Juande Ramos’ side failed to carve out any decent chances and missed Robbie Keane’s ability to link the midfield and attack.
Portsmouth were completely outclassed by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, while Manchester City reflected the instability they are experiencing off the park, with a woeful defensive showing in a 4-1 hammering to Aston Villa.
Hot keeper
Newcastle pulled off one of the best results of the weekend, thanks in no small part to their goalkeeper Shay Given.
The Irishman pulled off a string of fine saves, including a fantastic double save at the feet of Rooney then Scholes.
Not hot keeper
Although Chelsea were in irresistible form, David James could have done more to keep the 4-0 score line down.
The Portsmouth keeper could only palm a powerful shot by Deco into his own goal and was out of position for Nicolas Anelka’s effort.
He was also booked for kicking the ball away before Chelsea’s penalty.
Hot defender
Jose Bosingwa demonstrated the role of the modern full back to perfection against Portsmouth. Not only did he defend perfectly but supported all of Chelsea’s attacks with bursting touchline runs.
Great debut.
Not hot defender
Paul Koncesky gifted Hull City their late winning goal on Saturday. He dwelt on a ball that could have been easily cleared in his own penalty area, lost his balance and allowed to Celab Folan to score.
Manchester City’s defence minus Richard Dunne was a shambles against Villa. Tal Ben Haim had a woeful debut and the usually reliable Micah Richards showed lapses in his reading of the game on Sunday.
Hot midfielder
Out of all the new players introduced to the Premier League over the weekend, Newcastle’s Jonas Gutierrez was easily the best. His flair in possession, excellent pace and passing, as well as his long following hair, was reminiscent of David Ginola in his prime.
Gutirrez uncanny resemblance of the Frenchman was also evident as the player threw himself to the floor in Manchester United’s penalty area a full yard away from the nearest defender.
We can forgive him the theatrical tumble on this occasion, for a display of pure attacking genius.
Not hot midfielder
Darren Fletcher’s slack marking on a Newcastle United corner cost his team big time on Sunday, as Obafemi Martins drifted away from the Scot to head the Magpies opener. Fletcher partly redeemed himself later scoring United’s equaliser.
David Bentley was ineffective on his Tottenham debut and the Lilywhites skipper Jermaine Jenas was anonymous in his side’s 2-1 defeat to Middlesbrough.
Hot striker
Gabriel Agbonlahor followed up his 11 Premiership goals last season, with a fine hat-trick on the opening day of this campaign.
His goals were a mixed bag – right and left foot strikes and a header. On this form Agbonlahor should net 20-plus times this season. That doesn’t appear to be good enough for England manager Fabio Capello though – he’s snubbed Agbonlahor for the Czech Republic friendly.
Not hot striker
Dimitar Berbatov awarded the 5000 Spurs fans that had spent large amounts of time and money travelling to Middlesbrough by performing at half time. Performing a childish strop that is.
Arriving on to the pitch later than all the other subs, he proceeded to sit alone on the side of the pitch rather than warm up. Then he did a few meaningless stretches, refused to talk or practice with his teammates and stropped off down the tunnel. He was also the first player to leave the pitch at the end of the game without bothering to applaud the visiting fans.
Darren Bent’s hapless showing suggests that the former Charlton striker is unlikely to bring his pre-season form in to the Premiership. Juande Ramos desperately needs a new front-man or two before the transfer window closes.
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