Nandan Nair

Another season of excitement, frustration, and achievement literally “kicks” off as the 2015-2016 English Premier League begins. Keep an eye on my blog on weekends to get the latest as the league progresses this year. I am so excited to provide you with the latest in professional soccer.Manchester United FC (MU) Vs Tottenham Hotspur FC (TOT) MU 1-0 TOT Full Time, August 8, 2015

Old Trafford: Despite everyone expecting the home team to be the obvious powerhouse from the start, but really, Man. United were lucky. Tottenham pressured United from the start. Tottenham forward Erikson nearly scored off a volley in the 4th minute, but it was just slightly high off the bar. Then, in the 22nd minute, United lone striker Wayne Rooney got in a wide open space.  The defender, Walker, stepped and tried to knock it wide, but stumbled, and its past the goalkeeper’s dive and 1-0 thanks to Walker’s own goal. Man. United were delighted after they won, compared to last season’s start with a loss to Swansea City, but in my opinion, they should be grateful for the own goal, and it could have well been a draw. If Walker didn’t stumble, it most likely would have been a draw.

Vitality Park: After Man United beat Tottenham at Old Trafford, Newcomers to the Premier League Bournemouth took on Aston Villa at home. Bournemouth had some early opportunities, but missed all of them just before the halftime whistle. Finally, in the 72th minute, Aston Villa’s sub Rudy Gestede put the ball with a header into the net to spoil Bournemouth’s entrance to the Premier League.

Everton FC (EVE) Vs Watford FC (WAT) EVE 2-2 WAT Full Time, August 8th, 2015
Goodison Park: While Bournemouth and Aston Villa squared off, Everton and newcomers Watford also faced off in a nose-to-nose match. Watford’s Miguel Layun opened the scoring in the 13th minute, and the score line remained the same for almost an hour, before Rose Barkley leveled Everton with a spectacular long range shot, before Odion Ighalo gave Watford the lead once more in the 83rd minute. But Everton did not lose hope, and 3 minutes later, Arouna Kone leveled the game once more to end the match 2-2.

King Power Stadium: Along with the Everton-Watford and Bournemouth-Aston Villa games, Leicester City took on Sunderland at home. Early in the 11th minute, Jamie Vardy booted the ball just hard enough to beat the keeper and give Leicester City a 1-0 lead, followed by Riyad Mahrez 7 minutes, making it 2-0, the perfect start to his first year with Leicester. Later on, in the 25th minute, Sunderland captain Lee Cattermole took down Mahrez in the penalty box and the referee called the foul, and Mahrez scored his double from the penalty spot. Sunderland got back some hope when  Jermaine Defoe scored off a free kick, but only to see Marc Albrighton score off another set piece. Fletcher got another goal back, but still wasn’t enough to make a comeback.

Carrow Road: Newcomers Norwich City were given a frustrating start, losing to Crystal Palace 3-1. The game was very close, until Palace’s Wilfried Zaha scored off a volley in the 39th minute, and Damien Delaney scored in the 49th minute to make it 2-0. 20 minutes later, substitute Nathan Redmond’s long range shot got them back in the game at 2-1. Norwich’s Cameron Jerome scored a goal, but it was ruled out to keep the score at 2-1. Then, in the closing minutes of second half extra time, Yohan Cabaye scored to seal Palace’s 3-1 victory.

Stamford Bridge: Defending champions Chelsea and Swansea played out a close 2-2 draw. Oscar opened the scoring for Chelsea in the 23rd minute with a free kick finding it’s way into the corner of the net. 5 minutes later, Andre Ayew leveled the game at 1-1. Swansea didn’t even finish their celebration before Willian’s cross hit Federico Fernandez and looped over Lucasz Fabianski and in the net, in the 30th minute. Unfortunately, for Chelsea, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois brought down Gomis before he received a cross, and was shown a straight red card, and Gomis chose himself to take the penalty, and made Asmir Bergovic go the wrong way before converting the penalty and level the score one more time at 2-2. Gomis got another goal, but was ruled offside.

Check out my next blog, “Barclays Premier League: 9th Aug, 2015” to see the final scores of other matches.