Author: Amrit Santlani
Chelsea – Liverpool – 1:1
The first half of the main rivals was to the taste of the soccer gourmet. Lots of chances, goals scored and disallowed… Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino began his new era in west London with a draw that had many dramatic moments. The two teams each had a goal disallowed and, after a difficult game, had to share the result.
In the 12th minute, Luiz Diaz passed to Cody Gakpo and the Dutch striker unselfishly passed to Mohamed when he could have shot on goal himself. Salah’s first touch let him down, and his right-footed shot grazed the crossbar and went wide. Five minutes later, the Egyptian easily outpaced Chelsea newcomer Levi Colville with a beautiful pass that cut through the defense. Diaz only had to replace his foot – 0:1. In the 29th minute, Chelsea’s defense failed again. Salah beat Sanchez with ease (the goalkeeper’s debut wasn’t the most confident), but the goal was disallowed for offside.
The initiative passed to the home side. In the 37th minute, Chillwell headed in Disasi‘s goal: 1-1. That’s what you call a good debut – a defender bought from Monaco a week ago can be pleased with himself. Two minutes later, Chilwell himself scored, but during Enzo’s pass he was in an offside position. In the 43rd minute, Jackson, bought from Villarreal for 37 million euros, could have put Chelsea ahead, but he shot over from a good position.
The second half wasn’t as bright. Brazilian Alisson saved twice after hitting Chilwell and Jackson – that’s probably all that can be remembered.
Brazilian veteran Thiago Silva completed the ninety minutes and was excellent, as usual, as was Alisson Becker, who was crucial to Liverpool keeping a point in the match. Andrey Santos, who the Londoners bought from Vasco a month ago, was on the bench. We should add that Pochetino launched three new players at the end: Gusto, Matsen and Ugochukva. For Liverpool, debutants McAllister and Soboslai spent the entire game on the pitch.
Brentford – Tottenham – 2:2
Elsewhere, Tottenham began “life after Harry Kane” with a 2-2 draw against Brentford. Following Kane’s sale to Bayern, Tottenham fans were interested in the question of who could replace the London side’s captain and main striker. On the first matchday, Ange Postekoglu decided to try Richarlison in place of the center forward. To be honest, the Brazilian had a very poor game against Brentford. He had two good chances to score in the second half, but his attempt was saved by Flekken before being denied by a late block.
In the 11th minute, Tottenham took the lead without his help – Romero scored. In the 26th and 36th minutes, Mbeumo (from the penalty spot) and Wyssa gave the home side the lead. His fellow countryman Emerson Royal did much better. In first-half stoppage time, the Brazilian right-back scored Spurs’ second goal with a fine shot from outside the box, but he was tested all day by Henry on the wing, in what was a fine battle between the two players.