Then and now: what has modified for the reason that opening Premier League video games? | Premier League

Arsenal v Manchester United

Start-of-season form:

Arsenal The arrival of six new gamers in July, together with Viktor Gyökeres to fill the void at centre-forward, meant Mikel Arteta’s squad regarded effectively outfitted to problem for the title as soon as once more and, even, go one higher than second. Optimism was considerably checked by controversy, nevertheless, following the allegations surrounding Thomas Partey and Arsenal’s determination to supply the midfielder a brand new contract.

Manchester United Ruben Amorim’s first full marketing campaign in cost promised a lot after a summer season by which three new attackers had been signed – Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko. However, the shortage of any midfield arrivals alongside lingering considerations concerning the head coach’s inflexible tactical method meant supporters have been additionally considerably apprehensive.

What occurred …

Manchester United 0-1 Arsenal Riccardo Calafiori scored the one purpose of a largely drab contest, the Italian nodding in a Declan Rice nook on the far submit to set in a movement the defining development of Arsenal’s season up to now. United had as soon as once more misplaced at Old Trafford however in delivering an encouraging efficiency, cohesive in addition to dedicated, there was a transparent sense of issues coming collectively below Amorim.

Where are they now?

Arsenal Dreaming of a primary title since 2004 after discovering themselves seven factors clear with lower than half the season remaining. This absolutely needs to be Arsenal’s season, given the respective shortcomings of their predominant rivals and their formidable and now largely match squad. There has additionally been discuss of a quadruple, which whereas extremely unlikely can’t be dominated out given the assorted strengths of Arteta’s facet, most notably in defence and at set items.

Manchester United With Michael Carrick once more in interim cost after a falling-out between Amorim and United’s hierarchy, most notably the sporting director, Jason Wilcox, had made the Portuguese’s place untenable. Carrick’s job is obvious: increase spirits whereas making a push for the highest 4, and he has began with a bang with victory in a Manchester derby. The former midfielder additionally has a transparent run of issues given United are out of each cup competitions, in addition to not competing in Europe.

Bournemouth v Liverpool

Start-of-season form:

Bournemouth An glorious 2024-25 marketing campaign had, somewhat inevitably, led to the south-coast membership’s greatest and brightest skills being slowly however absolutely picked off by greater golf equipment. Dean Huijsen, Illia Zabarnyi and Milos Kerkez all departed within the low season, the final becoming a member of the staff Andoni Iraola’s males have been scheduled to face on the opening day.

Liverpool The sudden dying of Diogo Jota in early July meant the Premier League champions have been in a state of mourning. Excitement a few new season had been tempered, albeit an eye catching summer season outlay, headlined by the £116m arrival of Florian Wirtz and anticipated to quickly embrace Alexander Isak, had supporters in excessive expectation relating to what lay forward.

What occurred …

Liverpool 4-2 Bournemouth A Friday evening thriller by which Liverpool took a 2-0 lead, with their first purpose scored by Hugo Ekitiké, one other summer season arrival, solely to be pegged again to 2-2 by a double from Antoine Semenyo, his second purpose a shocking solo effort. The guests appeared to have secured a draw just for Federico Chiesa and Mohamed Salah to attain late on for the hosts. Cue pleasure and aid inside Anfield.

Where are they now?

Bournemouth In fifteenth amid a season that has been relentlessly tough. That is little shock given the lack of key gamers, with Semenyo the newest to depart in a £62.5m transfer to Manchester City in the beginning of the month. There have nonetheless been flashes of excellence from Iraola’s facet, with Alex Scott, Eli Kroupi and Evanilson repeatedly catching the attention. That might, in fact, effectively be an issue for Bournemouth come the opening of the following summer season switch window.

Liverpool Nowhere near defending their title after a collapse by which Arne Slot’s facet misplaced 9 out of 12 video games in all competitions. The Dutchman has stemmed the bleeding however his facet are performing with little cohesion and conviction amid a collection of setbacks, together with a severe harm to Isak simply earlier than Christmas. And, earlier than that, there was that outburst by Salah. Nonetheless, they sit fourth and retain what it takes to have robust runs within the FA Cup and Champions League.

Brentford v Nottingham Forest

Start-of-season form:

Brentford A multitude, on paper at the very least. Thomas Frank, Mbuemo, Christian Nørgaard and Mark Flekken all gone, Yoane Wissa on strike, and the set-piece coach promoted to supervisor. Few knew what to anticipate, however most have been tipping a severe battle for Keith Andrews and his facet. The return from long-term harm of Igor Thiago, beforehand the membership’s the file signing, was one supply of positivity, at the very least.

Nottingham Forest Fans have been anxious mid-summer, seeing Anthony Elanga offered and Morgan Gibbs-White flirt with Spurs. But some dynamism from the proprietor modified the temper: Evangelos Marinakis satisfied Gibbs-White to remain, secured a controversial elevation to the Europa League, and added a collection of recent faces late on, together with the £36m Bologna winger Dan Ndoye. Optimism was excessive.

What occurred …

Nottingham Forest 3-1 Brentford. The guests have been duly overrun, three down on the break to objectives from Chris Wood, Ndoye on debut and Gibbs-White. “We will learn a lot from that 45 minutes, especially me,” stated Andrews. A purpose from Thiago, his first for the membership, was one comfort. For Nuno Espírito Santo it was proof his gamers have been able to kick on. “I just want to go home and celebrate. It’s a beautiful start.”

Where are they now?

Brentford Seventh within the desk, Thiago is second behind Erling Haaland within the prime scorers checklist, and the brand new signings Jordan Henderson and Caoimhín Kelleher are excelling. “The hinges could have come off the door in the summer because of all the changes,” stated Andrews. “But I was well aware of the values of the club, the humility, the way we worked. When you do that and work hard collectively, there’s only one outcome.”

Nottingham Forest So a lot for the attractive begin. Nuno was sacked after three video games for going public on his testy relationship with Marinakis. The proprietor then employed Ange Postecoglou, sacked him a month later, and turned to Sean Dyche as a substitute. Forest sit Seventeenth, 5 factors above the relegation locations. There are indicators of life – a win at 18th-placed West Ham and a draw with Arsenal confirmed combating spirit – however the show at Braga was feeble.

Burnley v Tottenham

Start-of-season form:

Burnley After a four-season run of yo-yoing, the goal was easy: stick it out. The membership’s large power within the promotion season was a defence which conceded simply 16 objectives in 46 video games, however the important thing parts James Trafford and CJ Egan-Riley departed, as did the captain, Josh Brownhill. Scott Parker added expertise in Kyle Walker and Axel Tuanzebe. Up entrance, a lot would depend upon £20m Armando Broja.

Tottenham Not even the Europa League trophy might save Postecoglou from his Seventeenth-place end, by way of 22 defeats. Daniel Levy picked Frank to switch him, preferring the Dane over Iraola and Marco Silva. Son Heung-min left for the US, however Mohammed Kudus, Mathys Tel and João Palhinha arrived, with stories of a deal shut for Eberechi Eze, too. The temper: cautiously upbeat.

What occurred …

Tottenham 3-0 Burnley. A dream begin for Frank as Kudus teed up two objectives for Richarlison, the second a shocking scissor-kick. Brennan Johnson hit the third. Parker, in the meantime, was left to replicate on “the ruthlessness of the Premier League … We’ve got a huge challenge ahead of us, but it’s one we are going to embrace.”

Where are they now?

Burnley nineteenth, on a 13-game winless run, with Broja having scored as soon as. A spell of seven straight defeats in November and December led to boos from followers which, stated Parker, “broke my heart … It was only four months ago that I was standing on the balcony in the town centre and all of us were celebrating.” But a effective level received at Anfield final day trip confirmed spirit. Eight factors from the final protected spot, however not buried but.

Tottenham The positivity didn’t final. Eze signed for Arsenal and, regardless of a stable begin, Frank’s injury-hit facet have now received simply twice within the final 13, sit 14th within the desk and misplaced 2-1 to West Ham of their final league sport. The strain on the brand new supervisor’s place has reached Postecoglou ranges. But might their trendy, shock 2-0 Champions League win in opposition to Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday be a turning level?

Crystal Palace v Chelsea

Start-of-season form:

Crystal Palace Oliver Glasner’s facet started the marketing campaign with contemporary silverware to their title after beating Liverpool to the Community Shield. There have been few ins and outs earlier than the opener, albeit Eze was broadly anticipated to be on his option to Tottenham.

Chelsea Enzo Maresca’s facet began the season as – technically – the very best staff on the planet having received the primary iteration of Fifa’s expanded Club World Cup. There was additionally as soon as once more a hive of switch exercise at Stamford Bridge, with João Pedro and Jamie Gittens amongst these arriving and Noni Madueke and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall amongst these departing

What occurred …

Chelsea 0-0 Crystal Palace The hosts delivered an uninspiring efficiency and have been lucky to not lose after Eze noticed a firmly hit free-kick dominated out by a considerably pedantic video assistant referee intervention, with Marc Guéhi penalised for straying inside a metre of the Chelsea wall as he grappled with Moisés Caicedo. Palace have been the higher staff and, justifiably, felt laborious executed by.

Where are they now?

Crystal Palace In a state of turmoil and decline. Eze joined Arsenal shortly after the season began with Guéhi additionally transferring, to Manchester City, this week; two blows that led to Glasner accusing the membership’s board of “abandoning” the staff after confirming he’ll depart Palace in the summertime, when his contract expires. He might effectively go earlier than then, abandoning a staff in mid-table and searching for to progress within the Conference League.

Chelsea Managed by Liam Rosenior after Maresca was sacked on New Year’s Day following a falling-out with the membership’s hierarchy that reared its head within the form of feedback made by the Italian after a 2-0 victory over Everton in December. Qualification for the Champions League – and from the Champions League league phrase – stays achievable for the brand new man in cost, albeit each are removed from sure.

Everton v Leeds

Start-of-season form:

Everton A primary summer season below new homeowners, The Friedkin Group, meant Everton have been notable spenders out there, but it was a mortgage deal that had supporters most excited. Jack Grealish’s arrival from Manchester City very a lot pointed in the direction of an thrilling and impressive marketing campaign forward for David Moyes’s staff.

Leeds There was a lot pleasure surrounding Daniel Farke’s facet after promotion again to the Premier League and a summer season of notable spending. Eight new gamers had arrived on the membership, together with the imposing German midfielder Anton Stach from Hoffenheim and, intriguingly, Dominic Calvert-Lewin on a free switch.

What occurred …

Leeds 1-0 Everton Elland Road rocked on the primary Monday evening of the marketing campaign and nearly all of these in attendance have been rewarded for his or her backing with a win. Lukas Nmecha, one other summer season arrival, scored the one purpose of the sport, changing an 84th-minute penalty awarded for a handball by James Tarkowski that the guests deemed to be a vastly unfair name.

Where are they now?

Everton Slap-bang in mid-table. Moyes’s males are tenth having displayed curious type all through the marketing campaign – woeful house losses and glorious away wins sprinkled alongside irritating and/or uninteresting attracts. What’s for certain is that this won’t be one other season outlined by a relegation battle, albeit it will likely be one by which Everton as soon as once more fail to win a trophy.

Leeds In sixteenth and really a lot wanting up after a turnaround in performances and outcomes sparked by a change of system – from 4-1-4-1 to 3-5-2 – by Farke. The German has gone from lifeless man strolling to the toast of West Yorkshire, helped in sizable aside by Calvert-Lewin’s prowess in entrance of purpose. A fourth-round journey to Birmingham additionally gives Leeds the very actual prospect of extending their run within the FA Cup.

Fulham v Brighton

Start-of-season form:

Fulham The west London’s membership’s switch dealings had been extremely quiet within the buildup to the opening weekend, with the one addition to Silva’s ranks being the 34-year-old reserve goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte from Montpellier.

Brighton A busy summer season of switch exercise featured about £70m spent on eight new additions, together with Charalampos Kostoulas from Olympiakos and Maxim De Cuyper from Club Brugge, whereas a bunch of gamers additionally departed, no yet another notable than João Pedro, who joined Chelsea for £60m in early July.

What occurred …

Brighton 1-1 Fulham Fabian Hürzeler’s facet began the season very a lot how they’d carried out all through the earlier one – by giving up a lead. Matt O’Riley had put the hosts in entrance by way of a Fifty fifth-minute penalty earlier than Rodrigo Muniz transformed a Harry Wilson nook deep in stoppage time to provide the guests one thing to take with them from the south coast.

Where are they now?

Fulham One place and one level forward of Brighton in eleventh, which feels proper given their mixture of outcomes this season. In their final 4 video games alone, Silva’s facet have received two, drawn one and misplaced one. Fulham even have a tricky-looking FA Cup fourth-round tie, travelling to a Stoke staff firmly pushing for promotion from the Championship.

Brighton Sitting twelfth feels proper for a staff whose type has been blended all through the season and will very a lot go both means between now and the tip of the season. There might be an honest run within the FA Cup however for that to occur Liverpool should be crushed at Anfield within the fourth spherical. Such an end result is unlikely however in no way not possible.

Manchester City v Wolves

Start-of-season form:

Manchester City After ending a distant third and dropping the FA Cup remaining, a reset. Pep Guardiola overhauled his workers and reshaped the squad with signings together with Rayan Aït-Nouri, Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki and the goalkeeper Trafford. Plenty of focus too, on managing Rodri’s comeback from long-term knee harm. “It’s difficult but he’s desperate to play,” stated Guardiola. “We need his ambition, his personality, his quality.”

Wolves The goal was no repeat of 2024-25’s nightmarish begin: 9 factors from their first 16 video games and Gary O’Neil sacked. Vítor Pereira changed him and turned it spherical, and approached his first full season in bullish temper. But dropping Cunha, Aït-Nouri and Nélson Semedo left the squad wanting depleted throughout a winless, irritating pre-season. Hopes have been excessive, although, for the brand new arrival Jhon Arias.

What occurred …

Wolves 0-4 Manchester City. A classic City show headlined by two objectives from Haaland and an excellent Reijnders debut. For Wolves, Marshall Munetsi had an effort dominated out for offside, however that was as shut as they got here to creating an impression. Pereira regarded for the positives, although. “I didn’t lose my smile because each mistake that we committed, they punished us with a goal. I will take good things from the game.”

Where are they now?

Manchester City After beating Wolves they misplaced the following two – but it surely appeared like a blip. By the tip of November they have been second, and set off on a six-game successful run. But 2026 has been bruising: no league wins in 4, defeat in a Manchester derby, and a 3-1 humiliation at Bodø/Glimt. Rodri has laboured; Haaland likewise. Guardiola: “We have the ­feeling that everything is going wrong in many details. We have to try to change.”

Wolves Adrift, by way of a well-recognized opening few months: eight defeats of their first 10 league video games, with Pereira sacked in November. Rob Edwards, the brand new supervisor, then misplaced the following eight. Arias has underwhelmed and final season’s key scorer, Jørgen Strand Larsen, has misfired and appears set to depart. They are, although, unbeaten within the final 4, together with a stirring 3-0 win over relegation rivals West Ham. So … perhaps?

Newcastle v Aston Villa

Start-of-season form:

Newcastle An Isak-shaped cloud hung heavy over your entire membership going into the opening day. Eddie Howe’s star striker was refusing to play as a part of his try to drive a transfer to Liverpool however was going nowhere till the champions met Newcastle’s £150m valuation. Attempts to lure Wissa from Brentford have been additionally proving tough.

Aston Villa The temper round Unai Emery’s facet was not nice given the earlier marketing campaign had ended with them being pipped to Champions League qualification by the staff they have been dealing with at Villa Park and a summer season by which profitability and sustainability guidelines meant they may not spend greater than €5m web.

What occurred …

Aston Villa 0-0 Newcastle Amid chants of “There’s only one greedy bastard” from their followers, Newcastle delivered a united, defiant show however one which highlighted their lack of innovative with out Isak, with Anthony Gordon largely ineffective as their central striker. Villa have been in the end proud of some extent given they’d been decreased to 10 males after Ezri Konsa’s sending-off on 66 minutes.

Where are they now?

Newcastle In eighth on the again of superb house type and really poor away type. Nick Woltemade – Isak’s alternative – has blown cold and warm, as has Wissa following his eventual arrival and restoration from harm. Howe’s males are effectively positioned to qualify for the Champions League playoffs and are nonetheless within the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, albeit a semi-final exit from the previous is probably going.

Aston Villa Firmly ensconced in third on the again of 11 successive wins at Villa Park, a run delivered to an finish by defeat to Everton final weekend. They might nonetheless win the title however nearly actually won’t. Decent runs within the FA Cup and Europa League shouldn’t be dominated out, nevertheless, particularly if Morgan Rogers continues to ship eye-catching shows between now and May.

West Ham v Sunderland

Start-of-season form:

West Ham Would this be the true begin of the Graham Potter period, his first full season after changing Julen Lopetegui in January? Or wouldn’t it be extra of the identical? Potter introduced in a sports activities psychologist and pre-season indicators regarded pretty constructive, regardless of Kudus departing to Spurs. Hopes have been excessive for the brand new left wing-back El Hadji Malick Diouf, and for Niclas Füllkrug to return good.

Sunderland No lack of ambition: £132m on 11 signings, with arrivals together with Roma’s Enzo Le Fée, the Paraguay defender Omar Alderete, Arsenal outdated boy Granit Xhaka and the £30m midfielder Habib Diarra. The departed Jobe Bellingham was a loss, although, and doubters puzzled whether or not the supervisor, Régis Le Bris, might mix so many new faces right into a cohesive top-flight unit.

What occurred …

Sunderland 3-0 West Ham. The hosts fielded seven of their new signings, however outdated faces made the distinction: Eliezer Mayenda and Dan Ballard put them two up, earlier than Wilson Isidor rounded it off in added time. For Potter and West Ham followers, it was a bleak begin. “We have to learn the lesson that it’s difficult to win matches,” he stated. “It’s one game but we have to bounce back. We have to be better. We have to make it happen.”

Where are they now?

West Ham Potter lasted till final September, together with his facet nineteenth. Nuno has them 18th, together with a run of 10 video games with no win, and no clear sheets in any of his 17 league video games up to now. A 2-1 win at Spurs final day trip confirmed spirit, however the temper stays poisonous, with followers nonetheless protesting in opposition to the board. The £27.5m striker Füllkrug, in the meantime, was loaned out this month, after three objectives in 29 appearances.