What a relief it is to have the Premier League back, which after a somewhat pedestrian World Cup seems faster and more exciting than it even did before. And the opening weekend certainly didn't disappoint with some sterling performances from individuals and teams alike: Joe Hart, Blackpool, Chelsea and Paul Scholes to mention a few. Hart, the new England number one goalkeeper pipped the vastly more experienced Shay Given to the starting line-up of Manchester City's opening game away to Spurs and single-handedly kept them in the game, justifying his selection and surely signifying the end of Given's time at Eastlands. It is good news for the national team that Hart won this particular battle as it isn't since the days of David Seaman at Arsenal that there has been an English number one keeper at a club at the right end of the Premier League table. As for City themselves they still look a fair way from winning the title but with James Milner, David Silva and Yaya Toure aboard, surely have the personnel to push on and claim a top four place this season. Egos may prove a problem though, and although Craig Bellamy has been strangely offloaded to the Championship, between Emmanuel Adebayor, Carlos Tevez and new boy Mario Balotelli (and Robinho if he stays) there is more than enough potential for Roberto Mancini's men to implode.
Blackpool meanwhile defied the odds with a 4-0 opening day away victory at Wigan. With newly promoted teams in the past often going months without success on the road, this early victory could be pivotal to Ian Holloway's team's morale. Yes, Wigan were abysmal but they have been in the Premier League long enough now to be considered a decent scalp and the Tangerines will be buzzing about a trip the Emirates this coming weekend. The Arsenal side they will face are one that again seem short of title-winning quality. Laurent Koscielny seems like a solid signing in central defence, but having lost Gallas, Silvestre, Campbell and Senderos this summer he is effectively replacing four players, leaving the Gunners worryingly short of cover in the position. With Koscielny suspended it will be interesting to see how they fare on Saturday. Question marks remain over the fitness of Robin Van Persie, who was only a substitute at Anfield on Sunday and Marouane Chamakh is certainly not an out-and-out goalscorer, averaging less than a goal every four games when at Bordeaux. As for captain Cesc Fabregas, he may stay for another season but whether he can play at his best when his heart is clearly with Barcelona will be interesting.
Chelsea on the other hand looked imperious as they cruised to a 6-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion. But if they can play like that against stronger opposition is not certain, as their defence certainly looked breachable in the Community Shield defeat to Manchester United little over a week ago. John Terry's form is questionable and Ricardo Carvalho will be missed, so much will depend on the form and fitness of Alex and Branislav Ivanovic, two admittedly more-than capable defenders. At the other end of the pitch, Didier Drogba, Florent Malouda and Frank Lampard slotted straight back into goal-scoring form on the opening day and this is where Chelsea are strongest. Another injury to Michael Essien could prove disastrous though with Michael Ballack, Deco and Juliano Belletti all gone and Ramires unproven in the Premier League. The Blues remain title favourites and as usual only Manchester United look like serious contenders. Paul Scholes was the star of the 3-0 victory over Newcastle United, displaying a full array of passes and attacking prowess, but the Red Devils certainly looked good all round. Nani is my early tip for player of the season as he seems to be continuing from where he left off before the summer and Dimitar Berbatov, after two dismal seasons, looks like he may finally have turned the corner at Old Trafford with a stunning lob at Wembley last week before a clinical finish to open the scoring on Monday night. Wayne Rooney still seemed somewhat off the pace but with pacy new Mexican signing Javier Hernandez, who impressed in South Africa, available from the bench, some of the pressure to score goals may be relieved from the England forward. Sir Alex Ferguson's men will take some stopping this year.
Elsewhere Liverpool, having finally escaped the shackles of Rafael Benitez, looked rejuvenated under Roy Hodgson, and played remarkably well with ten men in the second half against Arsenal. If Fernando Torres finally regains full fitness then they will surely be in with a strong chance of breaking back into the top four. Tottenham, with little movement in the transfer market were impressive against Manchester City but may struggle to repeat the feat of last season, and their defence looked suspect in their Champions League qualifier in Switzerland last night. Aston Villa, without Martin O'Neill may struggle to maintain their sixth position of the last three seasons, but with the right managerial appointment could do well, their squad is certainly still healthy, even with Stephen Ireland swapped for Milner, a deal which could turn out better for the Villans than for City. As for the other end of the table, it's anyone's shout at the moment, with only ultimate yo-yo team West Brom starting the season looking awful and even they had the excuse of playing away to the champions. Wolves started well and West Ham started badly but with little difference in the quality of many of the squads, it should be a much tighter battle than seen last year where Hull City and Burnley were disastrous and Portsmouth pretty much destroying their chances of survival with financial mismanagement. Let's hope not to see any more of that this season.
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