Premier League Gameweek 1: What have we learnt?

It is always hard to know how much you can learn from the first set of fixtures, as fitness is variable, the number of new players vary and playing styles take time to become embedded. But we can't un-see what we see. So what are the early signs?

Liverpool need to improve but have goals

They look imbalanced, Konate had a poor game, they overcommitted players when ahead in the game and they looked far from well drilled with each knowing their position. However, the positives are that you would expect most of that to come as the weeks roll by and the players they have added (so far) look to have increased their goal threat compared to last season. Wirtz didn't have the best game but his movement and ability to find space was clear and Ekitike, Salah and Gakpo - and later Chiesa, all carried a big threat and all scored.

Bournemouth have a great first XI

Ok, so they may have conceded four but despite all the players they have lost, there were more than enough positive signs to suggest the Cherries will be OK if they can keep their players fit. Semenyo looked immense and Brooks was very good indeed. With the brilliant Kluivert to come back too, they will get their fair share of points away from home this season with those players counter attacking.

Villa needed that game but are defensively sound

Even before the sending off, Aston Villa struggled to get their attacking play going - they were overly cautious and didn't carve out the chances. Perhaps the players they have lost will be crucial in preventing a higher league finish. Only 3 shots in the whole game was a woeful return for them. On the positives, their new keeper played well, they were resilient and energetic in their defence.

Newcastle will have a strong season if their number 9 performs

Whoever the players are and whatever numbers they wear on their shirt, a great striker will make the difference to Newcastle this year. The rest of the team, barring an injury-hit year, will be absolutely fine. A happy Isak would of course magnify things, but I am confident in their chances of a good season.

Brighton have the midfield to do great things

If their defence can hold firm, their midfield is one of the best in the league and they will create chances through their skill and athleticism. Rutter is not a number 9 though and this was a slow start to their season. They may rely on Welbeck more than ever - especially if Stefanos Tzimas doesn't come back from injury and hit the ground running.

Fulham have the players to avoid trouble

They haven't been active in the transfer market so far, but they seem to have he ability ensure there is distance between them and the bottom three. In Muniz, King, Jiminez and Wilson they have the creativity and finishing to do OK in this league. They started this game very slowly and perhaps could have been punished for that. As with many teams barring the top four, injuries could be key to determining how they do.

The jury is out on Sunderland but they have hope

It was a tremendous day for Sunderland - a 3-0 win at home in their Premier League return. They were energetic, good in the air and well organised - but the game was very even for 60 minutes and they had 37% possession and less shots than a lacklustre West Ham. So let's see how they get on in their next fixtures. One thing is for sure, it's three big points towards a safety target and they are not without hope.

West Ham need their players and manager to stand up

They feel like a club in decline after losing Antonio mid season, having to watch Kudus in a destructive mood at Spurs and rumours that Paqueta may seek a move. Their defence lost some key aerial duels in this game which will be a concern. Potter will need to earn his money to set this team up right and he will be hoping that Fullkrug, Bowen and Wilson can get the goals they need.

Spurs show they are a new proposition under Frank

Everything went right for Spurs on the opening day. A very early goal and a scissor kick that may end up in the stands on a different day may have ensured that the team weren't mentally tested, but the most pleasing thing was the tactical clarity. The team were energetic and looked like they knew how Frank wanted them to play. Kudus gives them a further cutting edge and you would think that Palhinha and Solanke would improve the team further but perhaps it was a worry to allow Burnley to have 14 shots. There are sterner tests to come but I believe in the quality of the squad and Frank's tactical ability.

How Burnley respond at home will be key

On a weekend when the other two promoted teams picked up 3 points, on the face of it its an awful start for Burnley - but they will know home against Sunderland is more likely to define their season. They did have chances at Spurs, they were good defensively last year and they will need to turn Turf Moor into a fortress to have a chance of survival. The alarming thing is that they didn't cope with Spurs' energy and press in midfield and they may struggle against that style.

Man City masterclass lays down title ambitions

It couldn't have been more dominant display against Wolves. Tijjani Reijnders starred on his first Premier League appearance - scoring, assisting, and orchestrating play with composure. Erling Haaland seemed back to his unstoppable best, scoring two and Rayan Cherki came off the bench to deliver a moment of brilliance. In addition Oscar Bobb, Nico González, Rico Lewis, John Stones and James Trafford all played well. Bobb was set to have a great season last year but injury wrecked it before it had begun. They are much stronger than last season and I think they will finish first or second this year.

Wolves need new signings to prove they are good enough

Wolves have consistently managed to find players to ensure their Premier League survival, but the challenge this year won't be easy. Losing two great players like Cunha and Ait-Nouri would hurt any team and five unproven players have joined the club so far. In their first game, they were way off the required level and they need the team and squad to gel quickly. Realistically, they are one of about 7 teams who could go down but this isn't the first time their fans would have heard this. With players coming in from Celta de Vigo, Hellas Verona, Fluminense and AZ Alkmaar, we will find out if their scouts have found some diamonds or merely players out of their depth in the Premier League.

Forest firepower the difference and they are set to shine

The addition of the attacking Dan Ndoye looks a good one, supporting the often impressive Chris Wood - and Forest have a crazy number of attacking reinforcements. Omari Hutchinson, James McAtee, Arnaud Kalimuendo and Igor Jesus cost about £138 million between them - and they will occupy the 3 or 4 attacking positions. They have added a centre back and Anderson and Gibbs-White really shone in this first fixture. Forest may need some luck with injuries in order to cope with a European season, especially in defence and midfield, but they have the cutting edge to do some damage.

Brentford can compete but only with enforcements upfront

No team can withstand the loss of the mercurial Wissa and Mbeumo, who have been so core to Brentford's success. Add to that the loss of a manager who consistently helped them punch above their weight and it could be a tough season for The Bees. Keith Andrews is untested at this level, or any level really, and they will have to buy one extremely good player in addition to Ouattara to replace the firepower they have lost. There aren't too many great strikers around at this level, but finding one will be key. The positives are that aside from the cutting edge the game with Forest was even in terms of possessions and shots - and Igor Thiago got off the mark with a penalty.

Chelsea tidy but lacking the accuracy

It was a decent performance by Chelsea. For large periods of the game they recycled the ball well and tried to unlock a stubborn Palace defence, but without joy. They had 72% possession and managed 19 shots but only 3 on target shows where their problem was. Pedro struggled a little in the number 9 role and Delap arguably should have had more time as he looked bright. Palmer orchestrated the midfield and Estevao was dangerous once he replaced Gittens. They overcommitted sometimes against a dangerous Palace counter attack but came away with the point.

Palace have a wonderful first XI but will key players depart?

The squad depth may not be there but there is no doubting the Palace first team are a match for anyone - but the prospect of losing Eze and/or Guehi will be a serious blow. Despite their lack of possession they were dangerous on the counter with Sarr, Eze and Mateta. Eze pulled the strings and Mateta is one of the leading number 9s in the league.

Man Utd will be fine and improvement is incoming

Mbeumo and Cunha have clearly improved United's attacking prowess and Sesko will improve them, but by how much is a key question. The performance was a decent one and a draw would have been a fairer result. For all the entertainment United's demise has provided fans of other clubs, I do think they will amass a much greater number of points this year. There are three areas they need to address and these are the reasons why they won't be near the title conversation. Goalkeeper, Defensive Midfield and Wingbacks need attention in order to get Amorim's machine purring, but even without all of these being addressed they will be in the top half this season and challenging for European places.

Arsenal's slow start shows the challenge they have this season

Arteta could be on a hiding to nothing this season. He has reached a point where second isn't good enough but the reality is that second would be a great result for this team. Getting ahead of either Liverpool or City and holding off teams like Chelsea, Spurs and Newcastle is perhaps the best they can hope for. The additions of Zubimendi, Gyokeres, Madueke and Norgaard have improved them, but have they kept pace with their rivals? I am not so sure, time will tell. I think Gyokeres will do OK, but I don't think he will be comparable to Haaland or Isak.

Leeds have a decent crack at survival

It's a cliche but the Elland Road crowd combined with the high energy Leeds team will deliver some points this year. They created chances and were by far the better team against Everton, but they were wasteful in front of goal and needed a dubious-at-best penalty to take the points.

Everton need to improve and fast

I think the regular Everton team this season will look a bit different from the team that started against Leeds. Grealish will start, Branthwaite will return and I expect two more first team signings to come in before the deadline. Ndiaye and Dewsbury-Hall should have good seasons but perhaps they are a fullback, a centre back and a striker away from a top half finish.

The lines are drawn and the season has begun.