The Barclays Premier League is finally underway and the first game week was unsurprisingly full of goals, controversy and action. Arsenal cracked under the pressure with a home defeat to Aston Villa, the traditional top three all won convincingly whilst the promoted teams failed to score. What a season we have in store. Below I have put together a team of the week over the complete set of matches. See what you think and let me know if you agree or not.
Goalkeeper: Asmir Begovic (Stoke City)
Begovic has been slightly overshadowed by the performance of His rival keeper Mignolet’s penalty save in the curtain raiser game on Saturday. However, Liverpool should have comfortably won the game by more than their paltry 1-0 victory. Begovic kept Stoke in the game and nearly earnt them a vital point.
Right Back: Kyle Walker (Tottenham)
Kyle came under pressure last season following a host of poor performances after becoming young player of the season for 2011/2012. However, Walker was back to his industrious self and was a threat throughout the match with numerous bursting runs and even some incisive passes to set up Aaron Lennon.
Centre Back: Vincent Kompany (Manchester City)
Kompany oozes class. He is one of the most comfortable centre half’s I have seen on the ball, along with Tottenham’s Jan Vertonghen. He makes it look so easy and Newcastle rarely looked like threatening joe Hart’s goal let alone coming close to scoring. City will hope his injury last night is minimal.
Centre Back: Dejan Lovren (Southampton)
A surprise buy from Southampton this season, Lovren has always been highly rated in France and was expected to move to a club challenging. However, should he continue the form which saw his side earn a fantastic away win then Southampton could find themselves towards a European place this season.
Left Back: Luke Shaw (Southampton)
The young left back really came into his own last season and is hotly tipped by many to be the long term successor to Ashley Cole at left back for England. His fine form continued into the start of the new season and he looked fantastic for Southampton. With his surroundings not quite so new to him this season Luke Shaw will grow in confidence, and don’t be surprised if the big clubs come knocking come next summer.
Right Midfield: Jesus Navas (Manchester City)
Navas was one of Manuel Pellegrinis top targets this summer and City fans will be extremely pleased that he has been able to finally overcome his homesickness problems that have plagued his entire career. Navas was explosive at times and gave City a much-needed width that they missed in recent seasons.
Centre Midfield: Mile Jedinak (Crystal Palace)
Crystal Palace’s captain will have to have a big season if Palace are to avoid relegation and he started as he meant to go on on Sunday. Jedinak was at the middle of everything for Palace and really took the midfield battle to Tottenham. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough though, if only Palace had 11 Jedinaks.
Centre Midfield: Ross Barkley (Everton)
Barkley like Shaw is hotly tipped to be a future England international and a fantastic performance and wonder strike against Norwich has certainly made him a player on many fans lips. If he continues in the same vein we have even see a shock call up for the world Cup squad.
Left Midfield Danny Welbeck (Manchester United)
Danny Welbeck was intensely criticized last season for his extremely poor goal return as he only attained 1 goal all season. Welbeck answered his critics with two goals in his frist game of the season and looked every bit the England international. His chip was also goal of the week for me in front of both Lampard and Toure’s free kicks.
Striker: Christian Benteke (Aston Villa)
Many thought that the £20million price tag quoted for Benteke was far too high after only one season in England, but Benteke has put his head down and carried on exactly where he left off last season. Two goals (albeit it from penalties) saw off a struggling arsenal side and gave the Villains a great away first day win.
Striker: Robin Van Persie (Manchester United)
Much of United’s success this season will lay on the shoulders of Van Persie, especially if Rooney is to leave and his goals will be the difference. In two competitive games this season he has already scored four goals and United fans will be hopeful he can stay fit for the entire season as he will be key to their hopes of a first title under David Moyes.
Substitutes:
Simon Mignolet (Liverpool)
Seamus Coleman (Everton)
Steven Whittaker (Norwich)
Yaya Toure (Manchester City)
Frank Lampard (Chelsea)
Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa)
Edin Dzeko (Manchester City)
Source: DSG
