MX23RW : Monday, December 23 08:03:38| >> :120:29134:29134:

Five players who stood out on opening Premier League weekend

Willian provided three assists on his Arsenal debut.

The start of the new Premier League season was marked by a number of impressive individual performances.

Here the PA news agency looks at some of those stand-out displays.

Gabriel (Arsenal)

The accusation levelled at Arsenal over several years has been that, for all their attractive attacking play, they have been undermined by a weak underbelly. It is early days but Gabriel's Premier League debut offered promise that the Gunners may, at last, have found the defensive linchpin they have desperately needed. The Brazilian centre-back, a Β£23million summer signing from Lille, is quick, adaptable, good on the ball, strong and offers hope of a long-term solution to their defensive weaknesses. A goal on debut was also a bonus.

Willian (Arsenal)

Another Arsenal debutant opened up with a good start in his new surroundings as Willian had a hand in all three goals against Fulham. It was not really that much of a surprise considering the Brazilian is an experienced Premier League campaigner, with 235 appearances for Chelsea before his move across London, but the Gunners taking him on a free transfer already looks a canny piece of business.

Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

Salah was in inspired form against Leeds
Salah was in inspired form against Leeds (Paul Ellis/PA)

Salah became only the second player in the Premier League era to score on the opening day for the fourth consecutive season and, although his hat-trick contained two expertly-dispatched penalties, there was much more to his performance. On a day when many of his team-mates were well below their best the Egypt international looked a continual threat and after scoring 'only' 19 league goals last season – his worst return in three seasons at Anfield – he is off to a flier.

Jack Harrison (Leeds)

The on-loan Manchester City winger had the honour of scoring Leeds' first goal on their return to the top flight after a 16-year absence. Cutting in from the left he had England internationals Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez trailing in his wake before rifling a low shot past Alisson Becker. His performance – he gave Alexander-Arnold a tough afternoon – was typical of Leeds' approach to life back in the big time.

Allan (Everton)

Allan played a key role in the win over Tottenham
Allan played a key role in the win over Tottenham (Catherine Ivill/PA)

The Brazil international has been the least-heralded of Everton's three new signings but he arguably has the most important role, providing a screen in front of the back four and being the ball-winner the Toffees have lacked since the departure of Idrissa Gana Gueye. Manager Carlo Ancelotti knows exactly what to expect from the Β£21million signing, having worked with him recently at Napoli, but his man-of-the-match display in the win over Tottenham – their first over a 'big six' side since 2013 – gave everyone else a glimpse of his importance. James Rodriguez, another signing who has worked with Ancelotti before, also made a hugely impressive start to life with the Toffees.

ID:414284: cacheID:414284:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:16018:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Dominic Thiem celebrates winning the US Open on September 13, 2020
Read Next:
Sporting weekend in pictures: Premier League returns, Dominic Thiem wins US Open
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool16123137162139
2Chelsea17105237191835
3Arsenal1796234161833
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest179442319431
5Bournemouth178452721628
6Aston Villa178452626028
7Manchester CityMan City178362925427
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle177552721626
9Fulham176742422225
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton176742726125
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1772839251423
12Brentford177283232023
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd176472122-122
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham175572230-820
15Everton163761421-716
16Crystal Palace173771826-816
17Leicester CityLeicester173592137-1614
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1733112740-1312
19Ipswich TownIpswich172691632-1612
20Southampton1713131136-256


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!