The Premier League season kicked off with a bang, with several teams making a statement in their opening matches. Manchester United, however, failed to make an impact, succumbing to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Hull City.

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Man Utd’s Lack of Guts and Fight

Michael Carrick’s side was outmuscled and outplayed by their opponents, who employed a back five that was too physical for United’s attacking duo of Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha. The Tigers’ wing-backs, Lewie Coyle and Ryan Giles, served their target man, Oli McBurnie, well, and it was no surprise that they came out on top.

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United’s performance was characterized by a lack of intensity, energy, and belief, which was evident in their inability to win duels and headers before the break. The team’s failure to do the basics right was punished, and they were left to rue their missed opportunities.

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As Ron Walker pointed out, people may point to a lack of quality in the United side, but without the hunger and desire to do those basics, it would have made little difference. The team’s performance was a stark reminder of the work that needs to be done to bridge the gap between them and the top teams in the league.

Spurs’ Nightmare Start

Tottenham Hotspur’s opening match was a disaster, with the team succumbing to a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Brentford. The performance was a far cry from the team’s expected transformation after spending over £230m in the transfer window and fielding five debutants.

Spurs’ lack of mentality was the main culprit behind their defeat. As Roberto De Zerbi admitted, the team was not ready to fight, and it showed in their application and commitment to the cause. The stats reflected it on the pitch, with Spurs’ striker Richarlison winning just two of his eight duels.

The second goal was the perfect illustration of Spurs’ lack of intensity and energy. They were repeatedly second to the ball, outmuscled in challenges, and run over by an incredibly intense Brentford side. The defeat was a nightmare start for Spurs, and it remains to be seen whether De Zerbi can shift the mentality of his group.

Arsenal’s Resurgence

Arsenal, on the other hand, started their season on a high note, defeating Coventry 3-0. The team’s transfer window was criticized by many, but it appears that they have made some shrewd signings. Christos Tzolis looks like a gem, a real livewire down the left wing.

Tzolis set the game alight with two shots and two chances created in the space of four minutes, and it was no surprise to see him strongly involved in the two goals that put the game to bed. Martin Odegaard’s start to the season cannot be overlooked either. He backed up his stunning Community Shield display with a first goal of the season, equalling his league tally last season that saw him miss 30 matches in all competitions.

Everton’s Maturation

Everton’s performance in their victory over Crystal Palace was symptomatic of a team maturing under the influence of wily David Moyes. He fielded the second-youngest XI of his second stint at the club, inviting questions over the suitability of his inexperienced midfield.

However, young Harrison Armstrong and new signing Hayden Hackney dovetailed perfectly, unafraid of their elevated Premier League stage. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall delivered a masterful display, scoring a wonderful opener to set the tone. Under-the-radar Iliman Ndiaye was equally impactful, with more Premier League goal involvements for Everton than any other player since his debut in 2024-25 (15G, 4A).

Everton made big strides following the return of Moyes last term and now have the potential to double down on that progress. No doubt Moyes needs a bit of help from the decision-makers at the club to climb higher in the table. He wants a right-back before the transfer window closes, and talk of a reunion with Jack Grealish offers more hope of investment and improvement.

Leeds’ Solid Start

Leeds United started their season in the same way they ended the last one, with a solid performance that earned them a 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest. The team’s back five that transformed the last campaign is still going strong, with Jaka Bijol, Joe Rodon, and Tarik Muharemovic making 18 clearances between them.

James Justin and Anton Stach won a combined 21 duels on their own, and it was no surprise that they earned a first win and first clean sheet of the season. Last season, they had to wait until New Year’s Day for their first shutout on the road. Advances are already being made on last season – how far above last season’s 14th spot could this team go?

Ipswich’s Promising Start

Ipswich Town’s performance in their victory over Sunderland was promising, with an authority in flashes that suggested they aren’t simply going to be making up the numbers this season. They were aggressive without the ball, willing to commit bodies forward, and showed the character to respond when Sunderland threatened to wrestle control away from them.

There will inevitably be comparisons with Kieran McKenna for a while, but the quickest way to silence those is to win football matches. Ipswich have done exactly that, and it remains to be seen how far they can go this season.