The Premier League is underway !

Its back ! You haven't missed it have you ?  Long nails ready to be bitten ? Check. Refreshments ? Check. Excuses ready for the wife and friends ? Check. This must mean one thing of course, the Premier League is underway. 


The  Liverpool were held by a dogged Sunderland, Arsenal drew to Newcastle,Manchester United overcame a resilient West Brom side.


All "top four" sides were expected to easily overcome their opposition, however this was far from the case. Chelsea were by far the better team against Stoke, however as we have come to know, its one thing being on top, if you do not score t does not mean anything. Stoke made many last ditch tackles and a few superb saves from Begovic, the kept Stoke in the game for long periods. Stoke did however have their fair share of chances. Kenwyne Jones was a vital cog in the Stoke City machine, deftly controlling the long punts upfield from the defence.  


Chelsea could of had three penalties, at least two. They were unfortunate, however John Terry berrating the referee made a mockery of the FA's respect campaign. A positive for Villas Boas's side was that Fernando Torres, their star £50 million striker seemed to spark into life, and showed why he's worth the astonishing amount of money paid by Roman Abramovich.  Ramerias also looked lively, the small wiry figure made some bursting runs in the Stoke.


Arsenal played the nice attractive football they've become renowned for however the missing spark from Fabregas and Nasri were evident.  Gervinho was sent off on his Gunners debut and they were unable to break down a stubborn Newcastle side. The absence of Jack Wilshere through injury, left the Gunners with an arguably second-string midfield trio of Tomas Rosicky, Andrey Arshavin and Aaron Ramsey alongside Alex Song, and they quickly ran out of ideas.

A whipped free-kick by Van Persie was the closest Arsenal got to breaking the deadlock, and their hopes of an opening-day victory were all but ended when Gervinho was dismissed.

To leave the north-east with a point is by no means a disaster but the performance and outcome was hardly the shot in the arm Wenger's men needed ahead of a pivotal week.

Manchester United left it late, the Red Devil's much talked about team spirit saw them through a tricky opening away match.  The first twenty minutes was dazzling a performance from the attacking Manchester United team. Tom Cleverly was thrown once again into the deep end, after inspiring an inspiring performance against the blue half of Manchester, City.

David de Gea endured a nightmare  Premier League debut. Manchester United lost both their centre-halves. Yet somehow the champions still managed to start their Premier League title defence with a win.

emanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand will need to be assessed for the calf and hamstring problems that heralded their second-half departures.


Ferguson will need to find some confidence for De Gea, in addition to a crash course in dealing with crosses, the Spaniard's inexplicable error in gifting Shane Long an equaliser to Wayne Rooney's 12th-minute opener, setting the seal on what turned his Premier League debut into a personal disaster.

One must not forget however that Peter Schmeichel was given a horrid time by the crazy "gang" at Wimbledon AFC in his first match, he then conceded a howler at Fulham in his next match. He didn't turn out to be a too bad goalkeeper did he ?

Ashley Young's deflected effort 10 minutes from time ensured United opened the new season with a win under their belts.

United were luck to an extent with the deflections however their never say die attitude can only be praised upon. Rooney placed in a glorious goal in the 13th minute. Shifting one way before turning back on to his left foot before placing the ball in the bottom corner of the net. Ex United keeper, Ben Foster had no chance. 

West Brom settled afterwards, attacking down United's left hand side with the powerful Tchoyi. He gave Smalling a real test  in his new position at left back. 

Paul Scharner drew a fine save from De Gea that should have given the Spaniard confidence yet two minutes later the 20 year old was shaking his head and throwing his arms in despair.

If the jury was not out on De Gea before, it well and truly is out now. The spotlight will shine brightly on him, however he should be given time, he's 20, living in a different country away from friends and family. Sir Alex Ferguson clearly see's something in the young man, who dares to question the wily old fox.