Ekitike seems to be defensive worries for Liverpool?
Jamie Carragher went to Liverpool's “incredible” and “absolutely shocking” defending in their 4-2 victory over Bournemouth -and said they will not keep their Premier League title if they continue with those standards.
Liverpool won on an emotional night in Anfield thanks to late goals from Federico Chiesa and Mohamed Salah – but they got a real fear from the Cherries when Antoine Semenyo's Quickfire Double goals were canceled on both sides of the peace by Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo.
Both goals from Semenyo saw Liverpool caught the transition – with the second goal of Bournemouth and saw the young forward forward almost the length of the field before he found the bottom corner.
Carragher also hit Ibrahima Konate, who, according to him, was responsible for the bad defense for both goals.
“It's incredible,” said Carragher on Friday night football. “It is fantastic from Semenyo – but Liverpool has had this problem.
“How many players walked ahead of the ball – maybe eight players – when they won 2-1? That can't happen. It is absolutely shocking at this level.
“For Semenyo running so far away and removing his shot is incredible – but where Konate is going? He had a really bad night in the middle tonight.”
Semenyo a reason for Bournemouth's optimism
Arne Slot was right after the game. “It was a great game to watch,” he said. “This is what fans want to see.”
This was all that a Premier League opener should be about. Entertainment, high intensity, comebacks and throwbacks. Exquisite goals and the rough and clear friendly kind. It had fate.
And that is why the fact that it is affected by a meaningless act of alleged racist abuse of a so -called fan in Anfield, especially disappointing. However, what needs to be celebrated is Semenyo's reaction to that idiocy.
He gave Milos Kerkez and, most recently, Andy Robertson de Runaround, scored with two of his three shots on goal, of an expected goals value of only 0.89. His performance was a triumph of talent and solution and shows exactly why he had interested so many clubs this summer.
The fact that Bournemouth bound him to a new five -year -old deal is a huge coup and also reason for optimism. Laura Hunter
Newcastle see the size of the task to replace Isak
Newcastle presented a united front after their scoreless draw with Aston Villa. Eddie Howe described their performance as “magnificent”. Anthony Gordon and then Burn spoke their solidarity and team spirit in difficult circumstances.
A point in Villa Park represents a positive result, but all three of them would probably have been available if Alexander Isak had been available. Their star striker, which only trains while he lingers for a move to Liverpool, was very missed.
Isak, scorer of 23 Premier League goals last season, would undoubtedly have buried one of the first half of opportunities that fell for his teammates. The game reminded itself of his interest. Newcastle has won none of their last six Premier League matches without him. They didn't even score the last four.
In his absence and used Gordon centrally with Harvey Barnes and Anthony Elanga on both sides. “I really like it,” Gordon then said of his new role. “As my career progresses, I think I might be central.”
He had his moments. Especially with the run at the back to force the red card of Ezri Konsa. But in general this was a different memory of the enormous task that Newcastle will be confronted to replace Isak if he goes. With fans who turn against him, it is a reality that they will soon have to confront. Nick Wright
Disners in concentration cost Villa again
Flever in concentration has now cost Aston Villa in back-to-back games.
Old Trafford against Manchester United in the last match of the 2024/25 season and now the opener in the 2025/26 campaign. Two red cards for two important players.
Villa had just gathered Momentum in the fixture after the restart. Boubacar Kamara went close with a header and Ollie Watkins shot his shot directly to Nick Pope.
“The red card has changed the game,” Emery said in his press conference after the game.
He was right. Anthony Gordon shot behind the defense and racing on goal, so Ezri Konsa left with little choice other than dragging the improvised forward.
Villa did well to gather after that incident, but last season showed how precious points could prove to be.
Before Konsa's challenge, it seemed that Emery's side was really collecting and could continue to win the luminaire.
It is by no means a disastrous start to the season for Villa, but securing that first victory is now becoming more difficult.
They travel to Brentford for their next luminaire and have to call their only other center-back from the bank, Pau Torres, to play alongside colleague Linker Tyrone Mings. Patrick Rowe
Frank rejuvenated Richarlison to thank for perfect start
Suggestions have been made about an exit plan for Richarlison this summer. The attacker managed only four league start for Tottenham last season and a total of 500 minutes. His four goals were indicative of a campaign that was destroyed by injuries, with a form that is impossible to come by as a bit party player under Ange Postecoglou.
But this version of Richarlison, completely fit and shooting, is very different. He finally looks ready to comply with the promise of a No. 9, stimulated by Thomas Frank's confidence to play the leading role for Dominic Solanke.
An impressive Double in Tottenham's 3-0 win over Burnley hinted to a player rejuvenated. It is difficult to introduce a more perfect start for new boss Frank, with summer addition Mohammed Kudus who offers both assists for Richarlison to deliver two special goals.
The attacker has plagued his quality alone since he had arrived from Everton in Noord -Londen in North London in 2022. Many doubted his price tag of £ 60 million. They were right. But if the latter version is a sign of the coming things, excitement would have to replace the apathie.laura hunter quickly
Parker's Burnley gave a lesson in the ruthlessness of the Premier League
After the defeat of Burnley against Spurs, Scott Parker admitted that their defeat was born from the ruthlessness of the Premier League.
“It is also the Premier League and one of the biggest lessons from today, is the cliny where you should be, how quickly you have to get your shot,” said Parker.
“You don't have much time in the Premier League, of course against players of world class, athletes, physical. And that is the ruthlessness of the Premier League, all concentration, constantly keeping attention because the game can run at any time.”
Burnley, despite showing promise during phases of the game, were improved by a clinical, smart and physical spurs side.
In the early stages of the second half, while chasing an equalizer, the hesitation of Hannibal Mejbri meant on the ball that the chance was to beg. Burnley were their own downfall of their own downfall on the day. Maxime Esteve gave the ball away and Tottenham opened the score within 10 minutes.
A lost duel, minutes after admitting the second, led to a third when Burnley seemed to crumble. It is a lesson that Parker will have to learn quickly from an attempt to stay in the top flight. William Bitibiri
Ballard is Sunderland's Concorde, commanding heaven
Sunderland is the big onnows of this Premier League season.
How would they deal with the step up?
Have they changed too quickly from the championship promotion-winning team? Would all new signing sessions fit?
Being early signs although they can be fine this season and it was one of the 'old guard' that made the most impression.
Dan Ballard, hero of the play-off semi-final victory over Coventry, came to the occasion again. He was a colossus. A rock. He was consistently in the right place at the right time to ward off West Ham's attacks. No player on the field won more duels (10) or made more clearings (8).
He was as Concorde – the air command with his dominant air power, exhibited by his fantastic head goal, one of the four shots he had in the game. Big things can be on the horizon for Ballard and Sunderland this season. Lewis Jones
Potter's broth at its lowest
We all know what the Graham Potter teams can do in the Premier League – his Brighton team was exceptional and tactical for their time. His stock was at his highest there. It is now at the lowest with questions to answer seriously or his football can thrive at West Ham.
There is a little identity crisis in the club.
Potter wants to make them more possessed and tactically flexible, but the success of West Ham under David Moyes was entirely about the defensive organization and the creation of big moments in transition. Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta – the two most powerful attacking players of West Ham – are at their best with the space to roam. They look tight and limited with playing in this current style. It is proof of the ability of Bowen that he remains their star. He didn't deserve to be on the losing side.
Potter must find a solution. Lewis Jones