Premier League Team of the opening round

Finally the Premier League is back, and it certainly didn’t fail to entertain. Last season’s great escapists Leicester outshone their opponents, defeating a defensively flailing Sunderland team 4-2 and Norwich were reminded by Crystal Palace about the harsh nature of the Premier League.

So who impressed the most this weekend? Below is The Sports Lowdown’s team of the opening Premier League fixtures.

Goalkeeper: Adrian (West Ham)

West Ham are off to a great start to the 2015/16 season with an unexpected away win at the Emirates. However, the Hammers owe a lot of the credit to ‘keeper Adrian who kept them in the game. The save with his feet from a Giroud was particularly impressive, especially as it allowed West Ham to reverse the pressure and score their second. Adrian was kept very busy by the Arsenal front men making his clean sheet appear all the more impressive.

Defender: Jordan Amavi (Aston Villa)

Jordan Amavi was another of Villa’s impressive performers at the weekend against Bournemouth. The £10 million left-back stood out amongst the crowd at the weekend completing more tackles and interceptions (10) than any other player on the pitch. Amavi looks a buy by Villa boss Tim Sherwood.

Defender: Micah Richards (Aston Villa)

The defender spent last season on loan at Italian side Fiorentina and the change of scenery seems to have done him some good. The 27 year-old defender looked strong at centre-half making numerous quality physical challenges to ward off the Bournemouth forwards. It’s great to see Richards back playing first team football in the Premier League; Tim Sherwood will hope that he can carry on his great form.

Defender: Chris Smalling (Manchester United)

Smalling looked a force to reckon with at the back for United on Saturday. His challenge in the box to stop Tottenham striker Harry Kane summed up his game: Strong, precise and confident. This season could be Smalling’s year to prove his critics wrong, as well as obtaining a consistent starting position for England.

Defender: Joe Gomez (Liverpool)

The 18 year-old summer signing from Charlton certainly proved his worth on Sunday in Liverpool’s 1-0 victory at the Britannia Stadium. Gomez’s Liverpool and Premier League career began with the mammoth task of marking Stoke’s Jon Walters, which he did superbly. Ex-Liverpool defender and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher admired Gomez’s performance stating “Gomez has handled Walters – who is a nightmare to play against – very well.”

Midfielder: Yaya Toure (Manchester City)

Toure perhaps has a point to prove this season and by his performance against West Brom he’s certainly taken a step to prove that he’s still one of the Premier League’s best midfielders. His second goal especially caught the eye with a smart one two with Wilfried Bony before curling his short into the top corner – West Brom ‘keeper Boaz Myhill had no chance.

 

Midfielder: Yohan Cabaye (Crystal Palace)

Alan Pardew will feel as if he’s made perhaps one of the deals of the summer in bringing Cabaye to Selhurst Park and the French International midfielder certainly proved his quality at the weekend. Cabaye introduced himself back into the Premier League with a stoppage time goal against newly-promoted Norwich to seal the win for Palace. Cabaye put in a huge shift and was forced to sit deep early on in the game as Norwich took on the early momentum; his hard work certainly paid off as Palace fought off the Norwich pressure and won the game – albeit under controversial circumstances.

Midfielder: David Silva (Manchester City)

Silva proved unstoppable against West Bromwitch Albion, playing a vital part in City’s third goal. The Spanish International’s quick feet and incredible ability to find space was second to none and his overall performance was nothing we wouldn’t expect from the highly rated middle-man. If Silva and Toure can continue to perform to the level that they did against West Brom consistently then City will be amongst the title contenders this season without a doubt.

Midfielder: Riyad Mahrez (Leicester)

The tricky midfielder proved too much for the Sunderland defenders who couldn’t handle his superb dribbling ability. Lee Cattermole especially, who brought Mahrez down in the area after some superb trickery, couldn’t match up to the Algerian international’s quick feet. Not only did Mahrez score double in the game against the Black Cats but he also came close to a hat-trick, hitting the post after another of his tricky runs. With Wingers with as much quality as Mahrez Leicester certainly don’t look short of goals this season.

Midfielder: Jefferson Montero (Swansea)

Swansea’ energetic winger Jefferson Montero was too hot to handle for Chelsea right-back Branislav Ivanovic – succeeding in producing 7 crosses. Swansea looked good going forward at the weekend and there’s no doubt that Montero had a massive part to play in the 2-2 draw.

Attacker: Bafetembi Gomis (Swansea)

Swansea might not miss Wilfried Bony as much as first thought with Gomis proving a fine replacement. The French Striker opened his account at the weekend scoring a penalty against champions Chelsea in the 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge. Terry and Cahill both couldn’t seem to deal with the attacking prowess of Gomis who perhaps could have had more than the one goal.