FIVE-STAR UNITED IN STYLISH START
MANCHESTER United enjoyed a dream start to the season as Bruno Fernandes’ hat-trick rocked rivals Leeds after Raphael Varane was paraded in front of Old Trafford’s first full house in 17 months.
The atmosphere was crackling as the ground welcomed a sell-out crowd for Saturday’s Premier League clash and the din increased when their new signing was introduced before kick-off.
Varane’s arrival from Real Madrid was followed by a breathless Premier League triumph, with Fernandes’ treble complemented by Mason Greenwood and Fred goals as Man United thrashed old foes Leeds 5-1.
The Portuguese put Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men ahead at the break, only for Luke Ayling’s stunner to level things for Marcelo Bielsa’s men early in the second half. But the Leeds right-back’s first Premier League goal proved a mere footnote as the visitors unravelled spectacularly.
Greenwood scored smartly from an exquisite Pogba pass, before a hopeful Fernandes effort was adjudged to have crossed the line and he then completed his hat-trick with an unerring finish.
Fred added a fifth as Pogba provided his fourth assist of an afternoon when Solskjaer’s name echoed around a buzzing Old Trafford.
Grealish with a bump as they were beaten 3-2 at Watford, who marked their return to the top flight in impressive style.
The result continued Leeds’ long wait ribly wrong after an horrendous error First-half strikes from debutant for a league win at Old Trafford, where from Michael Keane gifted the opener Emmanuel Dennis and Ismaila Sarr the hosts translated the intense atmosto Saints debutant Adam Armstrong helped to get the Hornets off the mark in phere onto the pitch. midway through the first half. style as Dean Smith’s men struggled to
Meanwhile, Chelsea rounded off a However, Richarlison struck the Tofmake an early impression. week to remember with a thumping fees level early in the second half, before Another Watford debutant, Cucho win over Crystal Palace to kick off their a superb shot on the turn by Abdoulaye Hernandez, added his side’s third from new Premier League campaign in style. Doucoure put the home side in control. the edge of the box but the hosts had to
Goals from Marcos Alonso, Christian A diving header from Dominic Calwithstand a late fightback, with John Pulisic and top-flight debutant Trevoh vert-Lewin clinched what was only McGinn’s volley reducing the deficit Chalobah rounded off a thoroughly Everton’s second home win since before Danny Ings netted from the pendominant 3-0 win over Patrick Vieira’s March, and will have provided plenty of alty spot deep into injury time.
Eagles. timely reminders to Benitez of the size Substitute Alexis Mac Allister made
It came three days after Thomas of the task in hand. an immediate impression as Brighton Tuchel’s men lifted the European Super Jamie Vardy scored the only goal of fought back from behind to claim a 2-1 Cup and less than 48 hours since the game as Leicester followed up their win over Burnley at Turf Moor. announcing the £97.5million return of Community Shield win over ManchesThe Clarets took an early lead through striker Romelu Lukaku. ter City with a narrow 1-0 win over a James Tarkowski header despite
Alonso curled home a brilliant freeWolves. strong claims by the Seagulls that he kick to get his side up and running in the Wolves looked impressive under new had fouled Neal Maupay in the build27th minute, Pulisic addedup.thesecondbossBrunoLageanddominatedfor just before the break, then Chalobah long periods but lacked a cutting edge Burnley could have gone further in fired home an audacious 58th-minute and Vardy always seemed likely to be front when Johann Gudmundsson effort to announce his top-flight arrival the man to make them pay. struck the post before half-time, but in style. He had an early effort saved by Jose Brighton regrouped with Maupay grab
Rafael Benitez began his controverSa and a goal disallowed before he bing a 73rd-minute leveller when he sial reign as Everton boss watching his finally got on the scoresheet in the 41st converted Jakub Moder’s cross. side come from behind to beat Southminute, flicking his shot past Sa after Five minutes later Mac Allister, who ampton 3-1 at Goodison Park. getting on the end of a low cross from had only just been introduced by man
The Spaniard’s first Premier League Ricardo Pereira. ager Graham Potter, met a cross by Pasouting in the post could have gone hor- Aston Villa began life without Jack cal Gross to cap a dramatic turnaround.