Chelsea on the money in opener
Chelsea and Tottenham dispelled doubts about their readiness to make winning starts to the Premier League on Saturday.
A week after being swatted aside by Manchester City in the Community Shield, Chelsea beat Huddersfield 3-0 in Maurizio Sarri’s first league match in charge. France World Cup winner N’Golo Kante volleyed in the opener in the 34th minute, Jorginho netted a penalty in his Premier League debut before halftime and Pedro Rodriguez drove home the third with an angled drive after the break.
There was barely a save to make for Kepa Arrizabalaga, who became the world’s most expensive goalkeeper when he joined Chelsea for $93 million (U.S.) from Athletic Bilbao earlier in the week.
Chelsea was the league’s biggest spender in the summer transfer window. Tottenham 2, Newcastle 1: Tottenham was the only top-flight side to fail to make a signing but still opened with a road win.
All the goals came inside the opening 18 minutes as Joselu cancelled out Jan Vertonghen’s opener for Tottenham before Dele Alli headed in the winner.
While Alli was on target, fel- low England World Cup semifinalist Harry Kane endured frustration in front of goal at St. James’ Park. The striker, who was the tournament’s top scorer in Russia, has now failed to score a Premier League goal in August at 14 attempts. Crystal Palace 2, Fulham 0: Palace taught Fulham a painful lesson on its London rival’s return to the Premier League.
Having absorbed much of Fulham’s pressure, Palace punished rare lapses in intensity and concentration to score toward the end of each half through Jeffrey Schlupp and then Wilfried Zaha.
There was still cause for encouragement for Slavisa Joka- novic’s promoted team in the way it often outplayed the visitors at Craven Cottage on the banks of the River Thames. After spending more than $128 million in the summer transfer window, Jokanovic handed full debuts to six new signings.
But four minutes before halftime, against the run of play, Palace took the lead. Andros Townsend exchanged passes with Patrick van Aanholt, whose through-ball fed Schlupp and allowed the midfielder to turn and from the near post send an explosive finish into the top left corner, beyond goalkeeper Fabri’s reach. Wolverhampton 2, Everton 2: Ruben Neves curled in a free kick before setting up Raul Jimenez’s equalizer as Wolverhampton Wanderers drew with Everton on its return to the Premier League.
Neves’ contribution eclipsed the exploits of Richarlison, who scored twice in his debut since joining Everton for about $50 million.
The Brazilian put Everton ahead in the 17th minute. Leighton Baines swung a leftfoot free kick into the penalty area and Willy Boly’s attempt at a headed clearance hit a wall of players. When the ball dropped, Richarlison was on hand to finish from close range. Bournemouth 2 Cardiff 0: Cardiff made a miserable return to the Premier League.
Bournemouth’s Ryan Fraser converted from close range in the 24th minute before Callum Wilson settled a tight contest by side-footing home in stoppage time.
Wilson also had a first-half penalty saved by Neil Etheridge. Watford 2, Brighton 0: Roberto Pereyra began the season with a double.
The Argentine midfielder scored with a volley and a curling shot as Brighton, which spent more than $70 million on 10 new players in the off-season, started disappointingly.
Jose Holebas set up each of Pereyra’s goals.