Good day everyone,

I hope you are all well and had an excellent weekend, welcome to CryptoGod-1's blog on all things sports. The first round of fixtures this season was one of excitement, with Arsenal getting the first win of the season away to Palace on Friday night. Liverpool stuttered while Spurs soared to success, new boys Bournemouth looked comfortable, while the Manchester clubs had very different starts to their seasons. If you would like to check out the preview on this round of games it can be found here: https://www.publish0x.com/cryptogod-1-sports/premier-league-2223-match-week-1-preview-xmympwz

Weekend Predictions & Final Results

So in terms of the predicted scores, I got 1/10 correct this weekend. In terms of match-winner/loser, I managed to predict 4/10 correctly in this round of games.

Predicted: Crystal Palace 1-3 Arsenal

Result: Crystal Palace 0-2 Arsenal

Martinelli, Guehi OG

Arsenal started this game well, with new boys Jesus and Zinchenko starting. Both played their parts in the goals, with Jesus providing a constant threat through the middle and Zinchenko getting the assist for the first goal. The full back headed a corner back into Martinelli's path and the first goal of the new season was scored. From there Arsenal decided to sit on their lead, and allowed Palace back into the game. Edouard had Palace's first attempt as his close range header was saved by Ramsdale just before half time. The home side maintained their threat and attacks in the second half, but it was Jesus persistent work off the ball which helped Arsenal the most. Odegaard missed a glorious chance in the box, before Saka grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and killed off the Palace threat. It was his cross which was turned into his own net by Guehi with six minutes to go, and allowed Arsenal fans to relax for the rest of the match. It was only the second time Palace have lost by more than two goals at home in the league under Patrick Vieira, the other instance being a 1-3 defeat against Liverpool in January this year. Arsenal meanwhile have not drawn a league game in their previous 18, winning 12 of them and loosing 6, being the longest run of any of the current teams in the league.

Predicted: Fulham 0-4 Liverpool

Result: Fulham 2-2 Liverpool

Mitrovic x2 - Nunez, Salah

This game saw Fulham come out of the traps with hunger and desire which Liverpool could not match. Nunez started on the bench with Firmino leading the line alongside Salah and Diaz, and the Reds slowly managed to work their way into the game against the newly promoted side, even seeing a goal from Diaz ruled out in the first half after Robertson was ruled offside. The Reds dominated possession until around the half hour mark where Fulham's opening goal came from Mitrovic, as he headed in after Kebano and Tete combined on the right-hand side. Diaz then hit the post heading towards half time after a delicious Thiago pass set him through, as Liverpool ended the first half without a shot on target. Second half started similar to the first, with Fulham looking like the established top flight side, with Thiago getting injured and needed to be taken off five minutes in. Elliot comes on for him as Nunez comes on for Firmino. Elliot almost cost his side as he slipped in possession, while soon after he had an air shot in a great position. Kebano smashed the ball off the post soon after, and Nunez wastes a chance to shoot by looking for the pass instead, and sees another effort saved soon after. He finally made his mark on 64 minutes, as Elliot set Salah clear who crossed for the striker to finish to get his first Premier League goal. Liverpool upped it from there, with Nunez and Diaz both going close. A very soft looking penalty conceded by Van Dijk allowed Mitrovic to score from the spot and put Fulham back ahead on 72 minutes. Carvalho came on to play against his former side with just under 15 minutes to go, replacing Luis Diaz, and hit a fierce effort over from a corner soon after. It was a long ball over the top from Trent to Nunez, who inadvertently lays it off to Salah for a tap in. Even with five minutes added time these teams could not be separated, in what was a thrilling end to end finale with Henderson hitting the bar with a long range effort. 

Predicted: Bournemouth 1-2 Aston Villa

Result: Bournemouth 2-0 Aston Villa

Lerma, Moore

A tough opening day for Gerrard and his side, who lost to newly promoted side Bournemouth. The Cherries were solid at the back and after taking the lead in the second minute they never looked in doubt. Lerma pounced on loose ball from a Lloyd Kelly knockdown and sent the fans wild with the earliest goal ever scored by a newly promoted team in the opening game of the season. Gerrard failed to see his side click, bringing on Buendia and Watkins having started Ings, but it was not to be. Parker oversaw his sides victory with ten minutes to go as Moore struck to ensure the points were remaining at the Vitality Stadium. Gerrard has an expensive squad at his disposal and will want to find the winning formula soon for a team tipped to battle for European places. As for Bournemouth, they will hope for more of the same going forward after being tipped for the drop due to their lack of summer spending so far. It is still only the opening weekend with many players not at full fitness yet so expect more to come from both of this sides in the weeks and months ahead.

Predicted: Leeds 2-0 Wolves

Result: Leeds 2-1 Wolves

Rodrigo, Aaronson - Podence

Marsch will be delighted that his American revolution is paying off, as new signing Aaronson scored the decisive goal in this game. Wolves looked good all throughout the match, having taken an early lead on six minutes when Podence saw his half-volleyed effort go in. They rode their luck and clung on to their lead, as Jose Sa took out Rasmus Kristensen in the area but nothing was given. Rodrigo levelled things on 24 minutes after Leeds had put Wolves under immense pressure at Elland Road. Aaronson had won back possession and set the forward through to finish under Sa at the near post. Wolves played wider in the second half and looked much better throughout, creating dangerous moments through Podence and Pedro Neto. With fifteen minutes to go, it was Bamford who delivered an early low cross for Aaronson to finish and give his new side the lead, no more than he deserved for his lively performance. Another tough result for Wolves after their poor end to last season, but Lage can be happy with how they played in the second half. It will certainly be a way forward for them continuing into the season. As for Leeds, Marsch will need to continue the momentum of this result to ensure they are not dragged into another relegation dogfight.

Predicted: Newcastle 2-0 Nottingham Forest

Result: Newcastle 2-0 Nottingham Forest

Schär, Wilson

The home fans managed to see another excellent result as the Toon army march on under Eddie Howe. Registering 14 shots, they could have won by much more after dominating from the off. Saint-Maximin and Joelinton were constantly threatening the Forest defence, with Henderson standing strong in goal to keep his new side in it. Forest managed to threaten towards the end of the half, but Pope, making his Newcastle debut, keep the opposition out. In the second half things were less frantic and energetic than they had been, and finally approaching the hour mark Newcastle made the breakthrough. Schar smashed his strike beyond Henderson and gave Newcastle a deserved lead, although Forest could have been level soon after. Williams played a lovely ball into the area but Surridge could not apply the required finish. With twelve minutes to play, Joelinton picked out Wilson in the area and the striker cooly lifted the ball over Henderson's head at the near post. A great start to the new campaign for Newcastle who started without Botman and will be hoping to push for Europe this season. As for Forest, it was a rude awakening back in the Premier League for the first sime since 1999 and they will need to show more if they want to avoid the drop this season.

Predicted: Tottenham 3-1 Southampton

Result: Tottenham 4-1 Southampton

Sessegnon, Dier, Salisu, Kulusevski - Ward-Prowse

Conte could not have asked for much more from his side, after seeing them go behind to Ward-Prowse's superb downward volley in the 12th minute of this encounter from Djenepo's clipped cross. Sessegnon managed to level matters as he headed in at the back post nine minutes later from a Kulusevski's whipped cross. Dier gave Spurs the lead after the half hour mark when his clever glancing header snuck home from Son's cross. Hasenhuttl made a tactical switch at half-time but it was Spurs who pushed on, as Sessegnon nearly got his second. The pressure on the Saints defence paid off when Salisu comically turned in Emerson Royal's cross-come-shot in the 61st minute in comical fashion. Two minutes later and the game was done as Kulusevski got his goal, firing in a curling effort to seal the victory in style. It was Spurs biggest opening day victory since 1986, while Southampton are now on a five league loosing streak in the Premier League after loosing their final four games of last season. Conte will be hoping for more of the same from his side as they make a push on the Champions League and aim to secure qualification for it again come the end of the season.

Predicted: Everton 1-1 Chelsea

Result: Everton 0-1 Chelsea

Jorginho

It was a day to forget for Everton as they began the new season, seeing two players go off injured and loosing at home to Chelsea for the first time since 2017. Everton had started brighter, but when Godfrey was left requiring oxygen and a stretcher after a collision with Havertz and a break of seven minutes while he was treated, the momentum was lost. From there Chelsea took hold of the game and threatened from set pieces, but only forced Pickford into one real save in the first half. With extended injury time, it was a penalty which opened the scoring. A clumsy tug from Doucoure halted Chilwell running into the box, leading to Jorginho converting. The second half was also stop start, with Doucoure kept out by a fine Mendy save. Sterling had a late chance which was created by another new signing in Cucurella, but it was the sight of Mina going off after landing awkwardly to add to the small fracture to the leg of Godfrey which will be of most concern to Lampard. His side look good from the off, and with neither team playing a striker, it was always going to be a game of tight margins. Both Tuchel and Lampard will be hoping for improved performances going forward into the campaign. 

Predicted: Leicester 1-0 Brentford

Result: Leicester 2-2 Brentford

Castagne, Dewsbury-Hall - Toney, Dasilva

Rodgers' side got themselves into a two goal lead, scoring either side of half time, only to allow Frank's men to battle back and take a share of the spoils. The Foxes started fast, with Tielemans and Maddison testing Raya in the Brentford goal early on. Leicester pushed on and in the 33rd minute got their deserved lead when Castagne headed home Maddison's corner. Tielemans almost doubled the lead soon after but hit the post, but early into the second half the Foxes got their second. Dewsbury-Hall's took a long-range strike and it flew past Raya to make it two nil. On the 62nd minute Brentford managed to pull one back as Toney held off Amartey's challenge to score from six yards. Toney headed wide from close range but with time running out, it was Dasilva who scored the equaliser as he stepped up and curled home a stunner. Leicester have continued their poor defensive form which hampered them last season, now failed to win a home game where they went 2+ goals ahead since August 2003 versus Southampton. Toney now has 7 more goal involvments in the Premier League than any of his team mates for the club, having scored 13 goals and made 5 assists.

Predicted: Manchester United 2-0 Brighton

Result: Manchester United 1-2 Brighton

Mac Allister OG - Groß x2

Another season, new manager in charge, and the same old Man United. Ten Hag made the bold decision to start Ten Hag on the bench, and ended up with a loss at the start of his regime. The fans were excited at kick off, but soon things turned sour at Old Trafford. United started well and Fernandes missed a great chance after McTominay set him up, but they were the creators of their own downfall here. Brighton played through United for the first on the half hour mark, as Trossard picked out Welbeck who pulled it back for Groß to tap home. Nine minutes later and the Seagulls tore United open, as Caicedo, Lallana, Groß and March before March saw his low driven cross parried by de Gea straight to Groß, giving Brighton a two goal lead at the break. Ronaldo came on in the second half, but it was Brighton who should have scored next. Martinez  got away with pushing Welbeck over in the box, according to VAR anyway. Soon after United got their goal as Brighton keeper Sanchez flapped at a corner and Mac Allister turning the ball into his own net. United controlled the ball for the final fifteen minutes but could not find a way through the Brighton defence. This was the Seagulls first ever away win over Manchester United, while Ten Hag becomes the first United manager since Louis van Gaal in August 2014 to loose their opening Premier League game in charge.

Predicted: West Ham 2-1 Manchester City

Result: West Ham 0-2 Manchester City

Haaland x2

Well he lived up to the billing in his debut, with Haaland stealing the show for Man City. The match started slow, with West Ham forced to change goalkeepers after an injury to Fabianski. From there Gundogan seized the initiative and ran the show, with his passing a particular delight to the away fans. It took 36 minutes for the game to really come alive, as Gundogan found the run of Haaland, only for Areola to take him down in the box and give away a penalty. The Norwegian  finished with a cool and calm strike for his debut Premier League goal, and added to it in the second half. This time is was the deft pass from De Bruyne which split the West Ham defence and allowed Haaland to slot home his second. His debut will have the fans estatic after the disappointment of loosing to Liverpool last weekend, while Pep will be planning a charge on all trophies with this towering beast up front. As for West Ham, they will be happy with their efforts and like all sides this season, learn from the challenge of facing this City team and their striker Haaland.

Table After First Match Day

A look at the top half of the table and after the first round of fixtures its Tottenham at the front of the pack, followed by Arsenal, Man City, Bournemouth and Newcastle. Not much can be read into the positions at this stage but it will make a nice sight for Spurs and Arsenal fans.

As for the bottom half, Southampton, Forest, Villa, Palace, and West Ham made the bottom five. They will hope to kick start their seasons and start getting points on the board next weekend. Its all early days still but always so important for teams to get their first points on the board.

Top Goal scorers After First Match Day

1 - E. Haaland - Man City - 2 Goals
2 - Groß - Bournemouth - 2 Goals
3 - A. Mitrovic - Fulham - 2 Goals
4 - M. Salah - Liverpool - 1 Goal
5 - D. Nunez - Liverpool - 1 Goal   
6 - 5 - G. Martinelli - Arsenal - 1 Goal 
7 - C. Wilson - Newcastle - 1 Goal
8 - D. Kulusevski - Tottenham - 1 Goal

+ 13 more players with 1 Goal

Check out my 2022/23 Season Preview and Predictions here: Premier League 2022/23 Prediction

I hope you enjoyed the first round of games over the weekend. We will be back next weekend with the next round of fixtures. Have a great day.

Peace. CryptoGod-1.

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