The English Premier League season began on Saturday and it was complete with upsets, stunning goals and the type of quality soccer that makes so many of us fans of the EPL.
Here is a rundown of the day's results:
- Sunderland 1, Tottenham 0- Roy Keane's wins his EPL managerial debut
- Newcastle 3, Bolton 1- Sam Allardyce beats his old club
- Derby 2, Portsmouth 2- The new boys get a point in their debut
- Everton 2, Wigan 1- TIm Howard and Co. bag first win
- Blackburn 2, Middlesbrough 1- Nice debut for Roque Santa Cruz
- Manchester City 2, West Ham 0- Looks like Sven's many signings are playing well already
- Liverpool 2, Aston Villa 1- Steven Gerrard the hero with a beautiful free kick
What was the highlight of the day for you? Share your thoughts below.
Gerrard's free kick by far. It was -- dare I say -- Beckham-esque!
Posted by: Alex | August 11, 2007 at 11:59 PM
Gerrard's goal was incredible...i'm not anti-Man.U but i was texting my friend after the cheapy PK called against Liverpool, that Man.U was starting off the season with some luck, and Gerrard goes and wins it with that brilliant strike.
also gotta love Sunderland starting off their campaign with a win (especially when Gordon and Nosworthy were in your fantasy starting lineup!!!)
Posted by: Jasen | August 12, 2007 at 12:04 AM
martins 1st goal
Posted by: oracledba | August 12, 2007 at 12:40 AM
what do the subs do for your team in the prem fantasy game? does anyone know?
Congrats to Derby for find a late equalizer. They showed real determination. Can't wait for Benny to start helping them out. And I can't wait for tomorrow morning!
Posted by: jig | August 12, 2007 at 12:44 AM
jig, your subs only help that week if your starters don't play...the game then automatically puts in your sub(s), depending on the order you prioritized them in.
Posted by: Jasen | August 12, 2007 at 02:19 AM
Jasen...how is a blatant hand ball in the box "cheapy"? No one on Liverpool even complained about the call. I'm not anti-'Pool but please explain how an obvious hand ball in the box should NOT be called.
Liverpool played well except for Carragher's dive near his own goal (was he THAT intimidated by Gareth Barry?) and Pennant. Apparently in Pennant's mind kicking Ashley Young's ankle was fine, but getting taken out by Bouma (who got ball) deserved his physical retaliation.
Gerrard's goal was inspirational. Great day of the footie, I love this time of year.
Posted by: kpugs | August 12, 2007 at 03:06 AM
hey kpugs, i probably should've clarified..
i didn't mean to imply it shouldn't have been called because it definitely should have been...it was just cheap, in my opinion, because there was no intent on Carragher's part and Liverpool had dominated the match...unfortunately for Liverpool in that situation, the ball took the bounce it did, rules are rules, and the referee made the call he had to make.
on the other hand, Liverpool still won the match and were fortunate in the sense that most teams aren't able to bounce back from mistakes/mishaps like that...that's all i meant by cheap though, as opposed to a blatant intentional handball or takedown.
i don't have an allegiance to either team and am all too aware that these things happen in soccer, but i was glad to see the team that deserved to win, come out on top...plus, the PK gave Gerrard's goal far more significance which made it even more entertaining to watch!
Posted by: Jasen | August 12, 2007 at 03:36 AM
Derby's effort reminded me of the fight that Reading displayed in their opening game in the EPL last season (substitute Steve Howard for Dave Kitson). Should be interesting to see Feilhaber work his way into that line up.
Posted by: Derek | August 12, 2007 at 10:10 AM
Gerrard's strike no doubt. Helped out my team in reality and fantasy lol
Posted by: Jordan | August 12, 2007 at 10:38 AM
Yeah Gerrard's strike definitely! Always nice when you name him as your team captain, earning double points.
Just watched the ManU/Reading game. Wow did Hahnemann play heroicly (sp?...is it even a word?)!
Congrats to Sunderland and Derby for getting back with positive results.
Loved to see Santa Cruz open w/ a goal. I said this in my predictions and I want to reiterate now: Blackburn will qualify for Europe.
Posted by: Collin | August 12, 2007 at 02:06 PM
Ives can we get some info on the game against TFC today...lineups? anything.?
Posted by: ro | August 12, 2007 at 02:53 PM
Arsenal overcoming Lehman's absolute howler is my highlight of the week.
Posted by: Tony M | August 12, 2007 at 05:00 PM
That's crazy - all the HQ videos of the Liverpool game/Gerrard FK on YouTube were ripped down on a copyright claim.
Everything left are camera phone vids of the TV. I went to the Liverpool FC official site, and they want me to pay for a subscription.
That would be real sh!tty if they keep this hard line all season long. I'm half afraid to look for more EPL videos...
Anyone know the story here?
Posted by: Eric | August 13, 2007 at 12:07 AM
Awww man... the English language Man U - Reading have the same copyright claim notice by some company called NetResult...
Posted by: Eric | August 13, 2007 at 12:26 AM
Stevie G's cracker was definitely the highlight for me...that and Man U not winning.
Posted by: Brett | August 13, 2007 at 07:56 AM
Well, the highlight for me was Gerrard's free kick. I just kind of felt that he was going to find the top corner. As well as the Fulham gift 51 seconds into the game... I was bummed they couldn't grab at least a point, but felt they actually played ok sans the play of Baird at RB and Bocanegra having a tough start to the campaign (and that was before he fouled for the tying pk) Anyway, a good start to the season.
Oh and Ives, my fiancee wanted me to let you know that she is in 6th place after week 1 and is psyched to be 25 places above me! There I said it...
Posted by: kjk_40b | August 13, 2007 at 09:32 AM