Liverpool’s Premier League title challenge got off to a slow start as the Reds were held 2-2 at newly promoted Fulham, while Tottenham lived up to their pre-season hype by thrashing the Southampton 4-1 on Saturday.
Chelsea also got off to a winning start as Jorginho’s penalty earned Everton a 1-0 win.
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Darwin Nunez (L) gets in front of Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo to shoot and score his first goal. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP) Source: AFP
Jurgen Klopp admitted the best part of Liverpool’s day was the result as the Champions League finalists twice had to come from behind at Craven Cottage.
Aleksandar Mitrovic continued his impressive form from last season in the Championship as the Serbian beat Trent Alexander-Arnold to fire Fulham into a deserved half-time lead.
The introduction of Darwin Núñez in the second half sparked Liverpool into life and the Uruguayan scored his first Premier League goal since a €75 million ($77 million) move from Benfica to level.
Mitrovic restored Fulham’s lead from the penalty spot after Virgil van Dijk brought him down inside the box.
But Mohamed Salah ensured Liverpool at least didn’t start the season with a defeat by slotting into an empty net with Núñez’s pass.
“We started exactly the opposite way we wanted,” Klopp said. “We’re used to more dominance and we could never get it because we just didn’t play well enough, not fast enough, not accurate enough.”
TOPSHOT – Liverpool’s Uruguayan striker Darwin Nunez celebrates after scoring his first goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Fulham and Liverpool at Craven Cottage in London on August 6, 2022. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP) /Source: AFP
– Tottenham’s title dream –
By contrast, Tottenham had a dream start to the campaign to boost their hopes of challenging for a first league title in 61 years.
Spurs also fell behind to James Ward-Prowse’s strike from the edge of the area after just 12 minutes, but the response from Antonio Conte’s men was emphatic.
Goals to turn the game around before half-time came from unlikely sources as Ryan Sessegnon and Eric Dier headed home.
Mohammed Salisu then flicked the ball into his own net for a comical own goal on the stroke of half-time.
Dejan Kulusevski completed the scoring with a cool, accurate finish into the far corner to lift Spurs above Arsenal at the top of the table.
“We have to be happy, because this showed that the way is right, but at the same time we have only just started,” said Tottenham manager Antonio Conte, who has made six new signings.
“Now we have to continue. We have to know that with work we can improve and become stronger than last season”. Chelsea were less impressive at Goodison Park but did enough to get off to a winning start against an Everton side depleted by the absence of the injured Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Unlike in the Euro 2020 final, Jorginho beat Jordan Pickford from the penalty spot in the ninth minute of added time at the end of the first half due to an injury to Ben Godfrey.
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – AUGUST 6: Callum Wilson of Newcastle United celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest at St. James Park on August 6, 2022 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
– Start flying from Newcastle –
Newcastle may not have made the big-name signings that many were hoping for in the transfer market, but the Magpies did the business on the pitch to spoil Nottingham Forest’s return to the English top flight with a 2- 0.
Forest have even outscored Newcastle in the window with 12 new signings so far, but they were given a lesson in rising quality in the Premier League at St James’ Park.
Fabian Schar’s sensational strike opened the scoring before Callum Wilson’s predatory finish sealed the three points.
Bournemouth also won 2-0 over Aston Villa, dispelling their pre-season gloom following a lack of transfer activity.
Jefferson Lerma got the Cherries off to a flying start after just three minutes and Kieffer Moore added a second with 10 minutes remaining.
Leeds avoided losing Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha in the summer when they beat Wolves 2-1 at Elland Road.
Daniel Podence had fired Wolves into an early lead but Jesse Marsch’s men fought back impressively.
Rodrigo headed in from a tight angle to equalize before Rayan Ait-Nouri’s own goal clinched the match 16 minutes from time.
Kloppo COOKS during the World Cup | 01:15