We all waited for the return of the Premier League and it didn’t disappoint. The 2016/17 season kicked off at the KC stadium where reigning Champions Leicester City were outfoxed by newly promoted Hull City.
The Tigers were short with 1st team players and few players on the bench. They could only afford a caretaker coach but he took care of the Foxes. Vardy seem to have forgotten his scoring boots last season. He couldn’t convert any of the chances Nigeria’s Ahmed Musa created for him. They face Arsenal next.
Pep Guardiola opened his Manchester City account with a 2-1 victory over Sunderland no thanks to a late own goal by debutants McNair. Aguero was also on song, although from the spot. Zlatan helped Manchester United to a 3-1 away win at Bournemouth.
But the major talking point of the weekend came at the Emirates where the fans were served with a 7 goal thriller although they would have wished it ended in their favour.
Walcott missed a penalty but scored with 90 seconds but Coutinho equalized on the dearth of half time with a wonderful free kick. Within the next 20 minutes (early second half), the Gunners had shipped in 3 additional goals. Surprised?
The Ox came in and began a comeback revival with a goal. Chambers converted Cazorla’s free kick but the Gunners could not grab the equalizer. Walcott even tripped in the box late on. Shame. Not the debut Holding and Xhaka had hoped for.
A missed penalty, injuries to Ramsey and Iwobi and 4 goals conceded in 20 minutes. Could Cech had saved one of the goals? And what was Ox looking at in the 2nd half when the ball was loosely close to him?
Leicester City is next for the Gunners. Would they get Mustafi and a striker before then? Another poor start for the Gunners. Don’t you just love the Premier League?
Tonight, Africa will look to Egypt and Nigerians will hope for a miracle for Enyimba against Zamalek. Enyimba need a win to have hopes of qualifying to the semifinals of the CAF Champions League. We will dine by 7:30pm today.
The NPFL All stars ended their tour of La Liga with a 2-1 defeat to 2016 UEFA Champions League finalists, Atletico Madrid. I believe the lads and officials have learnt a lot. 3 games, 3 goals scored, 3 defeats and 8 goals conceded, it is time to return to the NPFL. 10 more Matchdays to go.
SoccerGunz 