FOOTBALL IS BACK: and there's more drama than ever!

by Kirsty Norfolk

​Sky Sports released their new Premier League 2020/21 intro on Sunday 13 the September and fans are already anticipating the kick-off of the new season…

The trailer features all 20 clubs, including new additions of Championship winners Leeds United, second place West Bromwich Albion and play off winners Fulham. Liverpool are heavily featured due to their unprecedented success last season only losing three times and lifting the Premier League trophy on 99 points.

​Action shots from last season are accompanied by Celeste’s tune ‘Stop This Flame’ released January 9 th of this year, a major single on Celeste’s self-titled first album release. The 26-year-old Brit Award’s Rising Star winner has captured the attention of a separate audience of football fans.

The Premier League began on Saturday 12 th September, about a month later than normal due to the Project Restart after national lockdown. Arsenal began the scoring during their game with Fulham at Craven Cottage, kicking off at 12:30pm, goals from Lacazette, Magalhães and Aubameyang secured Arsenal a 0-3 win and the first 3 points of the season. Crystal Palace kicked off against Southampton at Selhurst Park later in the day at 15:00 and the only goal in that game went to Crystal Palace’s Wilfred Zaha.

A seven-goal thriller followed at 17:30 at Anfield as champions Liverpool took on newly promoted Leeds United. Liverpool were quick off the mark as Salah scored a penalty 4 minutes in. 8 minutes later Leeds’s Jack Harrison equalised with a fine strike to the bottom left corner. The drama continued as 2 minutes after the equaliser, Mane scored a disallowed goal as Robertson was found to be offside in the build-up. This didn’t matter as on minute 20, van Dijk restored Liverpool’s lead with a powerful header from close
range, 2-1. Van Dijk’s glory didn’t last long as a blunder in defence from him allowed Patrick Bamford to equalise for Leeds, . Half an hour in Liverpool then went in front for the third time in 32 minutes through Salah’s left footed strike into the top right corner. Half-time ensued and Liverpool went in with a 3-2 lead. At 58 minutes Leeds had the ball in the back of the net again, but it was another disallowed goal, Alexander-Arnold was saved blushes after heading into his own goal, the flag was up for offside against Harrison. Following substitutions from both sides Leeds equalised again in the 66 th
minute, Klich with an excellent finish from close range, 3-3. At 79 minutes there came another disallowed goal! Van Dijk scores from an Alexander-Arnold corner, but Jones was found to have fouled Koch in the build-up. Just before full time, another penalty to Liverpool! Rodrigo brings down Fabhino in the box and Salah converts for his hattrick on minute 88. Five minutes of extra time played, and Liverpool gained their first 3 points of the season. Subsequently the match ended 4-3.

Wins also came from Newcastle against West Ham, Leicester scored three against newly promoted West Brom, Everton beat Tottenham 1-0 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium thanks to a goal from Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Wolves and Chelsea also won their games against Sheffield United and Brighton.

The opening game week wasn’t short of the usual drama and controversies of the Premier League! Neutral fans will be hoping for more to come for the rest of the season.Do you think Liverpool will win again or who do you think will win the league this season? And who is getting relegated?