Arsenal, Liverpool, Newcastle United and Crystal Palace all smile in the first day of the English Premier League as they all won their games. Arsenal started the league in the English Premier League Matchday 1 while Newcastle United ended the day, Arsenal won against newly promoted side Fulham while Newcastle United played against West Ham United.
Arsenal were highly impressive, while Fulham caused themselves too many problems at the back. Both sides have played and won at Wembley – twice for the Gunners – in the 48 days since the last Premier League season finished. Alexandre Lacazette scored the opener from close range after Willian’s effort was saved.
Centre-back Gabriel then scored from Willian’s corner with his shoulder. Willian, who also hit a post from a free-kick, picked out Pierre-Emerick Aubamayeng with a perfect cross-field ball and the captain curled home Arsenal’s third. Arteta admitted he was surprised at how well Gabriel played on his first game since March when Ligue 1 was curtailed.
According to Arsenal boss, he said: “He hadn’t played any football for six months so to come and play a game in the Premier League after training with the team for three or four days is a big task,” “The boy showed a lot of character and what he can do. He can still improve a lot but he had a really good game.”Willian knows the league, the country and is very settled here so I knew his performance would settle straight away.”
Mohamed Salah bagged the first hat-trick of the 2020/2021 English Premier League season as Liverpool edged passed newly promoted Leeds United 4-3 at Anfield. The former Chelsea and AS Roma striker Salah is the first Liverpool player to score a hat-trick on matchday one of an English Premier League season since John Aldridge against Charlton in 1988-89.
Salah opened scoring for Liverpool in the 4th minute from the penalty spot after handball by Robin Koch.In the 12th minute Leeds equalised through Jack Harrison who cut inside and powered the ball into the bottom corner. Eight minutes after Leeds equaliser Liverpool went 2-1 ahead as Virgil van Dijk restored their lead, thumping in an Andrew Robertson corner.
With 15 minutes remaining in the first half Patrick Bamford drew Leeds level after picking up a loose ball and tucked it into the far corner. For the third time in the game Liverpool took the lead as Salah grabbed his second goal on 33 minutes, as the ball fell to him on the edge of the box and he smashed it into the roof of the net.
In the 63rd minute Leeds levelled the score at 3-3 thanks to Mateusz Klich who controlled the ball beautifully before smacking it beyond Alisson. But with two minutes remaining in the game Salah won the game for the Reds as he completed his hat-trick, slamming his penalty in following a foul on Fabinho.
The win move Liverpool to second in second place, usurping Crystal Palace in the league table. Crystal Palace won Southampton 1-0 to start their 2020/21 season on a good not while Newcastle United beat Aston Villa 2-0 in the last game of the day to push Liverpool to the third place position.