Premier League analysis: Five things we learned from the opening weekend

As the opening weekend of the new Premier League season reached its conclusion on Monday, August 18, there are plenty of things we learnt from the first round of EPL fixtures.

On Monday night, Leeds United triumphed 1-0 against Everton, bringing the curtain down on 10 terrific matches.

Sports News Blitz writer Oliver Shorland evaluates what we learned.

New signings on form

With the transfer window yet to slam shut, new signings were a big talking point across the weekend.

Liverpool’s Hugo Etikite had one of the standout performances, opening the scoring for his side before teeing up Cody Gakpo for the second in the curtain raiser against Bournemouth.

The Frenchman worked well with the Liverpool midfield, often interchanging with Gakpo on the left.

However, with the potential of Alexander Isak still landing in Merseyside before the end of the window, the rangy striker may not yet be nailed on in Arne Slot's side. 

Another Premier League new boy to light up the pitch this weekend was Manchester City midfielder Tijjani Reijnders.

Starting in a midfield three, the Dutchman set up the first goal when clipping in Rico Lewis, who was able to fire the ball across the face of the goal which was turned in by Erling Haaland.

The former AC Milan man then got in on the scoring himself with a neat finish into the bottom right-hand corner before turning provider to set up Haaland to make it three. 

The 27-year-old's scoring prowess should come as no surprise, though, having come off a career-best 16 goals in Italy last season.

READ MORE: Chelsea find promise in Josh Acheampong and Estevao after opening draw to Crystal Palace

A blueprint to stay up

Another big talking point of the weekend has to be newly-promoted Sunderland.

The Black Cats were able to dismantle a poor West Ham side to take their first three points of the campaign.

Setting up to hit Graham Potter’s side on the counter, the home side looked like a well-oiled machine despite seven of the starting line-up making their competitive debuts for the club.

However, it was three members of last year’s promotion-winning side that brought Régis Le Bris’ side to victory with goals from Dan Ballard, Eliezer Mayenda and Wilson Isidor, which the Frenchman was keen to point out in a post-match interview.

With Burnley away next week, another three points would give the side from the Stadium of Light something to build on as they look to buck the trend of all three newly-promoted sides going straight back down in recent years.

Still no number nine

A competent yet uninspired Newcastle side was able to play out a 0-0 draw at Aston Villa in the early kick-off on Saturday. 

Still without Alexander Isak, the Magpies lined up with Anthony Gordon as an unconventional number nine.

Eddie Howe’s side struggled to hit the target throughout the game, failing to capitalise on a lack of attacking threat from Villa, where they may have come out on top with a natural striker spearheading the attack.

Newcastle are still attempting to prise Yoane Wissa away from Brentford to fill the hole left by Isak but have yet to meet the West London side's valuation of the player, who scored 20 goals in all competitions last season.

READ MORE: Premier League news: Champions League–chasing Aston Villa, Newcastle United play out dull draw

Wood picks up where he left off

In contrast to Newcastle, Nottingham Forest look to have no problem racking up the score, with Kiwi Chris Wood picking up from where he left off last season with a brace against Brentford.

All-time scorer for his country, there were questions on whether Wood could back up the numbers he put up last season, with the answer being a resounding yes so far as Nottingham Forest’s number 11 looked sharp against a poor Brentford side.

New signing Dan Ndoye also looked strong on debut as he doubled the Tricky Trees' lead on Sunday after signing from Italian outfit Bologna.

New beginnings at United

Manchester United look to have made a marked improvement on last season, especially going forward despite Sunday's loss to Arsenal. 

Ruben Amorim’s side created plenty of chances against a stubborn Arsenal side as they were unlucky not to get anything out of the game. 

New signings Bryan Mbuemo and Mattheus Cunha created width for the home side alongside the two fullbacks in an attempt to stretch Arsenal’s backline. 

Both also looked good with the ball at their feet, able to beat their man on multiple occasions, with a stellar performance from David Raya in the Arsenal goal the reason the score stayed at 1-0 to the Gunners.

United may still look to strengthen in the goalkeeping department, however.

With Andre Onana not featuring in pre-season and Altay Bayindir looking weak against Arsenal, it may be time the Red Devils looked to bring in a new man between the sticks.

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