By LONDON, Aug 16 (AfrikTimes) – Erling Haaland bagged a double to fire Manchester City to a perfect start in a 4-0 rout of Wolverhampton Wanderers, while Tottenham Hotspur kicked off the Thomas Frank era with a 3-0 win over Burnley on the first Saturday of the Premier League season.
Sunderland celebrated their return to England’s top flight with a 3-0 victory over West Ham United, while Aston Villa survived defender Ezri Konsa’s dismissal to salvage a 0-0 draw against Newcastle United with the visitors missing want-away striker Alexander Isak. On the south coast, Rodrigo Muniz’s last-gasp goal gave Fulham a 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion.
“(Reijnders) is an incredible, big signing for us,” Guardiola said. “His work ethic, a holding midfielder occupies a lot of spaces and then after the control with the ball and his movements, and then he is trying to get in behind and score — really pleased.”
Tottenham Hotspur’s Richarlison celebrates scoring their second goal with Pedro Porro.
At Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Spurs gave Frank a comprehensive victory in his first home match in charge thanks to a dazzling double from Richarlison, while it was a harsh welcome back to the league for Burnley.
“Fantastic finish and the way it was set up, and Mohammed Kudus brilliant too,” Frank told the BBC.
The victory was notable for a Premier League first as Burnley keeper Martin Dubravka conceded the first corner kick of the season under new rules after holding the ball for more than eight seconds.
Sunderland’s Daniel Ballard celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates.
RED CARD FOR KONSA
“Happy, happy for the club, the organisation, the players and our fans,” Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris told Sky. “To come back into the Premier League with this connection with our fans is impressive. Every point is important. Today (it) was possible to beat West Ham and we did. Next week we have to reset and have another story.”
At Villa Park, the home side were thrown into disarray in the 66th minute when Konsa was shown a straight red card for pulling down Newcastle forward Anthony Gordon while he was in hot pursuit of a through ball from Anthony Elanga.
Tottenham Hotspur’s Richarlison in action with Burnley’s Martin Dubravka.
Newcastle continued to fire crosses into the box but without a recognised centre-forward such as Isak, who wants to leave amid interest from champions Liverpool, they could not convert them and the game ended in stalemate.
Villa boss Unai Emery said he and his team should never accept dropping two points at home.
“With the circumstances we had with the red card and how we were the last 30 minutes more or less, with added time, we have to accept it,” said the Spaniard.
“For sure it feels painful,” Brighton manager Fabian Huerzeler told the BBC. “We should score the second goal and I think the game would be over. That’s football.”
Tottenham Hotspur’s Richarlison celebrates scoring their second goal with Djed Spence.
Additional reporting by Lori Ewing in Manchester
