 "Premier League: Mateo Kovacic's controversial handball, Danilo's freak injury and more talking points from Matchweek 1")
The 2024-25 season of the English Premier League (EPL) got off to a rather predictable start this weekend with defending champions Manchester City picking up from where they left off last season. Pep Guardiola’s side gave Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea a reality check with a 2-0 hammering, whereas Manchester United edged Fulham 1-0 in the opening game of the season.
Usual suspects Arsenal and Liverpool also got off to winning starts, beating Wolverhampton Wanderers and promoted Ipswich Town respectively. Tottenham Hotspur are yet to play and they will lock horns against Leicester City on Monday night.
Let’s now take a look at some talking points from the opening weekend of the new Premier League season:
Mateo Kovacic handball controversy
Chelsea were at the receiving end of things in their Premier League opener against Manchester City on Sunday. As many as three penalty decisions went against their favour by referee Anthony Taylor, with one of them being a Mateo Kovacic handball. Or at least what looked like one.
Kovacic handball not given. Kovacic scores the goal to win the game. I'd say from this opening weekend nothing's changed in this league. Same team gonna win the league, same inconsistent nonsense officiating
— Mark Goldbridge (@markgoldbridge) August 18, 2024
Kovacic’s handball came in an unnatural position, but the Premier League later deemed that Kovacic was “too close” to the ball after Chelsea’s Malo Gusto initially took the shot. “The proximity of the player whose hand or arm makes contact with the ball to where the ball was struck from will still be an important consideration for officials when making a decision to award handball or not,” says a Premier League statement.
Kovacic would later go onto score the second goal of the match in City’s win over Chelsea.
Eberechi Eze goal disallowed
Another controversy erupted in the Premier League when Crystal Palace winger Eberechi Eze’s goal was disallowed against Brentford. Eze seemingly scored a goal via a free-kick, only to be disallowed by referee Samuel Barrott.
The decision was then sent to VAR, but the Premier League clarified on the incident saying that the referee had blown his whistle before the ball was hit towards the net. “The referee awards a free-kick to Brentford for a foul by Hughes on Collins. The whistle was blown before the ball entered the goal, so VAR cannot intervene and the referee’s call stands,” the Premier League said.
Manchester United edge out Fulham in opener
Manchester United got off to a winning start against Fulham in their season opener, beating the Cottagers 1-0. United rode on a solitary goal from young Dutch sensation Joshua Zirkzee when he found the net in the 87th minute.
The Red Devils could have had a second goal in stoppage time after Alejandro Garnacho’s attempt from a Marcus Rashford pass went wide. Fulham had their chances, with Andreas Pereira’s poor pass costing Alex Iwobi an opportunity. United’s Lisandro Martinez played his part, making an important save off Pereira’s low cross.
It was a narrow win for sure, but United will seek for improvements in the forthcoming games as they aim to return as one of the biggest title contenders this season.
Solid start for Arne Slot but issues remain for Liverpool
Liverpool began the Arne Slot era with a confident win over Ipswich Tow n. The Reds rode on goals from Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah to beat the Premier League newcomers 2-0 at Anfield.
While Salah and Jota certainly showed promise, there were still a few players who were lacking rhythm. Take Alexis MacAllister for example, who clearly had his chances but missed out on taking the most of those. Andy Robertson, who has missed Liverpool’s pre-season matches with an injury, also seemed to be struggling with his game against Ipswich.
Fabian Hurzeler makes a winning start
Fabian Hurzeler, the Premier League’s youngest-ever manager at 31 years of age, made a winning start as his Brighton and Hove Albion side beat Everton 3-0. Kaoru Mitoma, Danny Welbeck and Simon Andriga scored the goals for the Seagulls as they beat 10-man Everton after Ashley Young’s red card.
The German became the first Premier League manager to be born after the Premier League came into existence in 1992. Hurzeler was born in Texas on 26 February, 1993.
New Brighton signing Yankuba Minteh had caused Everton problems initially, but was forced off the field after he sustained a head injury. Hurzeler said that the health of the player was of utmost priority and it was important not to risk him.
Nottingham Forests’ Danilo suffers horrific injury
Nottingham Forests’s Danilo suffered a freak ankle injury during the game against Bournemouth and had to be taken off the field after nine minutes of treatment. After just six minutes into the game, Danilo landed awkwardly after an aerial challenge with Antoine Semenyo.
The staff of Nottingham Forest even used blankets to cover Danilo from the crowd. He was then taken to the Queen’s Medical Center in a stretcher, where the staff confirmed a fracture. Manager Nuno Espirito Santo was unsure of his possible return. “I have no idea on the timeframe, I just wish it is short because he is a very important player for us,” he said.
The game ended 1-1 at full time with Chris Wood’s opener for Forest being cancelled by Semenyo in the 86th minute.
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