6 THINGS WE LEARNED FROM THE RETURN OF THE PREMIER LEAGUE
1. LIKE it or not, VAR is likely to be in English football sooner rather than later.
Sadio Mane appeared two yards offside when he scored Liverpool’s second against West Ham (above).
That is likely to mean renewed calls for video technology especially if similar mistakes are made by officials that could be avoided with the use of monitors. 2. THE best piece of transfer business could well have been done at Crystal Palace. Not only has Roy Hodgson signed a contract extension, but the non-transfer of Wilfried Zaha (bottom) could be crucial to the Eagles’ chances.
Zaha was a class act again as Palace saw off Fulham 2-0 and his value could rise even further from the £70million he was rated at over the summer with many more displays like that. 3. CARDIFF look far from good enough to survive in the top flight.
Neil Warnock (inset top) is famed for his progress in the transfer market but he has had a poor window. Bobby Reid is the only new capture who started in the 2-0 loss at Bournemouth.
While fellow new boys Wolves and Fulham have made some inspired transfer business, Cardiff have by and large stood still over the summer. They look far from Premier League standard. 4. EVERTON’S Premier League rivals will be kicking themselves at overlooking Richarlison.
The Brazilian more than lived up to his £40m fee with two sublime goals at Wolves.
Surely he would fit well into a Tottenham side that failed to make a single summer signing? 5. HARRY KANE never scores in August. And never looks like scoring in August.
Surely it would be better to give the Tottenham striker (left) the whole month off to completely recharge his batteries? 6. TALKING of goals - or lack of - don’t watch Southampton in August. They have now drawn 0-0 on their last two opening days of the season.