English Premier League, Week One: Manchester City Defeats Swansea 4-0, Sergio Aguero Brilliant

Now, the hype machine will be rolling, both on Sergio Aguero personally and on City’s title chase. Swansea look like they’ll be on the other end of the table, and they will have to deal with questions about whether or not they can avoid the drop all season long.

After a decent first half from Swansea, it’s all falling apart. City just have way too much quality for the Swans and it’s all easy right now.

Swansea City Lineup (4-2-3-1): Vorm; Rangel, Williams, Caulker, Tate; Britton, Agustien; Sinclair, Dobbie, Dyer; Graham

Manchester City Lineup (4-3-3): Hart; Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy; De Jong, Barry, Y. Toure; Silva, Dzeko, Johnson

The game finishes 2-1 to Manchester United at the Hawthorns, as Steven Reid turned the ball into his own net late on. There was little blame for the defender, however, with little else he could do after a fine penetrating run from Ashley Young, whose ball into the box proved too difficult for the West Brom defence to deal with.

It was a deserved win for Manchester United, who started the game extremely strongly, Rooney and Ashley Young linking up superbly early on before the former turned and clipped a low shot into the bottom corner of the West Brom goal. Nani was presented with two opportunities to make it 2-0 to the Red Devils, but both were squandered as he failed to convert two close-range chances.

Young had the ball on the left and started to cut in before quickly turning for the end line. He beat the defender cleanly and had his way towards goal from a sharp angle. Young hit the ball across, maybe a shot, but more likely a cross. It caught a bit of a deflection the found the side netting. It is possible that it is later overturned and ruled an own goal, but Young had no problem claiming it. He ran in front of the United supporters and threw his arms in the air, basking in the adoration of his new fans.

This is especially concerning for Sir Alex Ferguson after it was confirmed that Rafael would miss 10 weeks because of a dislocating shoulder suffered during training. If Ferdinand and Vidic are out for any time at all, United will be without three of their four first choice defenders. Of course, we have no idea about the length Ferdinand and Vidic will be out yet. All we know is they asked out then limped off, but it has to be a concern right now.

Sir Alex Ferguson couldn’t figure out why Young got a card while Morrison didn’t, but it’s too early in the season to get upset and berate the fourth official. Instead he just had a bit of a chuckle. He won’t be chuckling much if United cannot win today though, something that looks more and more possible the longer this match stays 1-1.

The play was created by Shane Long, who played Scharner in. If de Gea is lacking in confidence, he didn’t show it in charging of of his line to close down the angle. Scharner got a goot shot away, firing it high, but de Gea got a hand to it and saved it well to deny the Baggies. It’s only one save, but de Gea looked just like the keeper who played exceptionally for Atletico Madrid, which has to be a smile on the face of every United supporter.

Not even a half hour into the new season, Nani has already developed a bad habit of going over the bar. Okay, that’s harsh considering he’s done it twice, but despite their dominance, Manchester United lead just 1-0 so Nani will have liked to have doubled that lead with his chances thus far.

Sloppy finish or not, United have themselves a lead and are in complete control. With 70 minutes left to play, West Brom can undoubtedly find a way back, but they’ve known no signs of doing so yet. This is all Red Devils and it would be fair to say that United are more likely to score two more than the Baggies are to get one.

Manchester United head to the Hawthorns in the second Premier League match today, as they take on a West Brom side that was rejuvenated under Roy Hodgson last year.

Teams:

It finished goalless at the Britannia Stadium as Stoke City held Chelsea to a 0-0 draw. Stoke were the better side in the first half of a relatively open match, with Chelsea growing into the game as it went on, but both sides were unable to break the deadlock, with both defences comfortably on top.

Fernando Torres and Ramires were the bright sparks for Chelsea, providing most of their creativity, but even after Drogba was brought on, Chelsea looked unable to force a clear chance. Anelka and Kalou went close, the former having a shot tipped onto the bar by the excellent Asmir Begovic, and the latter wasting Chelsea’s best chance of the game by nodding a header straight to the Bosnian goalkeeper.

Stoke make another chance, abandoning the long-throw gambit by withdrawing bionic human trebuchet-impersonator Rory Delap in favour of former Manchester United man Danny Pugh.

It’s all Chelsea at the moment though – first Anelka’s floated shot required Begovic to tip it onto the bar, and then Kalou missed a glorious chance as Torres floated in a fine ball, only for the Ivorian to nod straight at Begovic. Could still go either way, but Chelsea have taken control of this game now, and are very much on top. Didier Drogba is coming on – Salomon Kalou, one of the only Chelsea players to provide any penetration, is off. Torres has provided a spark for Chelsea, but hasn’t looked like scoring.

Bad news for Stoke as Matthew Etherington has been forced off with what looks like a dislocated shoulder – could be out for some time with that one, a huge loss to Stoke. Dean Whitehead replaces him.

Chelsea have also made a change, with Florent Malouda coming off for Nicolas Anelka. Chelsea have improved in this half, and had a number of penalty shouts – none of them have been clear-cut, but it’s a surprise to see them all waved away.

It’s 0-0 at the Britannia, where Stoke City have been on top for the majority of the game so far. Chelsea have struggled to impose themselves on the match, with the Potters subjecting them to an aerial onslaught with a number of throw-ins, corners, and free-kicks. Chelsea have done enough to deal with them so far, thanks to the imposing figure of Petr Cech.

Nonetheless, Andre Villas-Boas will be concerned that Chelsea are failing to control the game. The Blues have been unable to fashion any clear-cut chances, with Stoke asking far more questions of the Chelsea defence. Fernando Torres, who was chosen ahead of Didier Drogba, has looked lively but has struggled to provide any real penetration.

Chelsea travel to the Britannia stadium this afternoon in a competetive debut for new boss Andre Villas-Boas as they look to pick up their first points of the season.

Teams:

Exactly what Barton is doing isn’t clear. Gervinho may have been clipped a bit, but that’s embellishment. He has no business going down there and if Barton wants to be upset about that, sure, why not? But there is no excuse for going and grabbing Gervinho and pulling him up. That’s the stuff of the stupid so I guess it is appropriate that Barton did it.

Maybe the worst part about Barton is that he is actually a fantastic player when he’s...well, playing. If he could keep his head together and act halfway sensibly he’d be playing for a top team, but it was clear long ago that he isn’t capable of that.

Newcastle United and Arsenal played out an awful 0-0 draw at St. James’ Park, with the only entertainment coming courtesy of a contre-temps between Joey Barton and Gervinho, the latter being sent off on his Arsenal debut for delivering a tame slap to the former.

It had been a poor game from the start, with Arsenal suffering from characteristic overcomplication and indecision around the box, and Newcastle unable to gain a foothold in the game. With few clear chances being created at either end, such a result was always likely to occur.

It finished Liverpool 1-1 Sunderland at Anfield after Sebastian Larsson’s sublime volley cancelled out Luis Suarez’s opener. Liverpool came flying out of the traps, with Luis Suarez winning an early penalty which he subsequently blasted into the stratosphere. He made amends shortly afterwards, glancing home a Charlie Adam cross.

Stewart Downing went close too, going on a penetrating run from the right wing and firing a fierce left-footed shot against Simon Mignolet’s crossbar. But after half-time, Liverpool began to fade badly.

Steve Bruce wisely takes my advice and brings on David Vaughan for Sebastian Larsson. The Welshman should help Sunderland take further control of this game, and it looks like Sunderland are starting to shut up shop here – they’ll be more than happy with this result.

Liverpool, by contrast are getting extremely frustrated here – giving away a lot of fouls, and showing a lack of patience. Ex Manchester United man Wes Brown has been the subject of much of Anfield’s ire as he has taken the opportunity to go down easily under pressure from Liverpool’s attackers. Professionalism or gamesmanship, either way, it appears to be working, and buying Sunderland more precious time to hold out. There’s still plenty of time left for either side to win this one though, and while Sunderland are sitting back, they could easily get an opportunity too – their crossing has been absolutely superb today.