FootyChatter.com

By Will Pickworth Published: 21: 58 AEST, 17 August 2024 | Updated: 03: 00 AEST, 18 August 2024 3 View comments   That's it from us today but thank you very much for joining us for what was a hugely eventful afternoon of Premier League football. There was significant drama across all four games at 3PM and the action is not done yet, so be sure to keep across Mail Sport for all the latest news. Thanks again and have a great rest of the evening! You could certainly sense the St James' Park crowd were up for it today after Schar's dismissal. It was one of those where it was definitely a red card once he leant in with his head, but Brereton Diaz's reaction was definitely over the top. Mikel Arteta prepared his Arsenal stars for any threat by hiring pickpockets and there were few signs of Wolves pilfering a point at the Emirates. A first-half header from Kai Havertz eased the tension and set the sails on course for comfortable - and their 17th win out of 19 Premier League games in 2024. Wolves came out hunting in the second half and at times pinned back the Gunners, but they hardly had a glance of goal against a cast-iron defence. When Arsenal needed a hero to wrap up the job, who else but Bukayo Saka, the force of nature who had assisted Havertz before blasting home the second late on? Here are Mail Sport's player ratings from the game. Six games down four to go on the Premier League's opening weekend. The action now moves on to east London, where a new-look West Ham are taking on Aston Villa. Amadou Onana has just put the visitors ahead after heading home from a corner, but you can stay up to date with the action there by following Mail Sport's live blog with my colleague Harry Bamforth below. .. Declan Rice limped off towards the end of Arsenal's victory in a worrying sign. However, it looks to be good news for the Gunners as Mikel Arteta has confirmed the midfielder was just suffering from cramp after a shortened pre-season. That comes following Euro 2024, with Rice returning to training just under two weeks ago after Arsenal returned from their pre-season tour of the US. One of the major talking points from today was Fabian Schar's red card for Newcastle when he headbutted Ben Brereton Diaz. Brereton Diaz, on his Southampton debut, shoved Schar off the ball, leading to a furious reaction from the Newcastle defender as he leant his head in on the forward. Brereton Diaz then went tumbling to the ground, clutching his face in agony, in a reaction that was slightly over the top. It led to a futher scuffle at half-time and ensured the Southampton man was the pantomine villain at St James' Park. Read the full story on all the chaos that unfolded below. .. In a game that was marred by Danilo's horrific early injury just minutes in, Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth each take a point at the City Ground. After that prolonged stoppage which came when the Brazilian midfielder fell extremely awkwardly on his ankle, Chris Wood put the hosts ahead to continue his good form from last season. Bournemouth were left frustrated for most of the clash, before Antoine Semenyo equalised late on following a defensive error to ensure the Cherries took a point back to the south coast. A bad, bad day for Everton who are thrashed 3-0 by Brighton at Goodison Park in their opening Premier League game. Things could've been worse, with the Seagulls having a fourth ruled out for offside, while Ashley Young also received his marching orders after pulling back Karou Mitoma when the winger was through on goal. But what a day for Fabian Hurzeler in his first game in charge of Brighton, as his side put in a thorougly dominant display. It's all over at St James' Park too and it's a strong start to the season for Newcastle following a tetchy clash. That was a backs to the wall display from the Magpies, who scored with their only shot on target, but in truth they were extremely solid. Southampton had 78 per cent of the ball and 19 shots but couldn't get past their 10-man opponents after Fabian Schar was sent off for a 'headbutt' on Ben Brereton Diaz. And that's that at the Emirates! A comfortable win in the end for Arsenal, despite a little wobble in the middle of the second half, but goals from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka secure the three points. Mikel Arteta will be happy with that and it's a welcome return to Premier League action for the Gunners at the start of what they hope will be a special season. And they're level! Bournemouth had been getting increasingly frustrated, but out of nowhere they're level. Ryan Christie fires in a cross, but Harry Toffolo can only clear the ball into Murillo. The ball richotets and lands at the feet of Antoine Semenyo, who blasts the ball home from close range. Not another one! A disaster for Everton, but no, it's been disallowed. Yasin Ayari thought he had his first Premier League goal for the club - and Brighton's fourth - but his knee was slightly offside and the goal is ruled out after a VAR check. It has been an absolute disastrous day for the Toffees, but at least it's not four. To add more insult to injury, Everton are now 3-0 down! It looked so promising early doors, but it has in truth been a disastrous day for the Toffees. Simon Adingra makes it three as Brighton counter. Welbeck feeds him, he cuts inside and curls one in the corner with his left foot. Brighton are going top and what a start to the Hurzeler era. Arsenal are cruising to victory here after that little wobble midway through the second half. Gary O'Neil is then furious when his side aren't awarded a penalty after Hwang goes down under pressure from Timber. The Wolves boss is subsequently booked for his protests - a frustrating day. Southampton are trying to put Newcastle under pressure, but they're really not creating any chances. Newcastle have been so solid today, but the Saints have also been slow with their build-up play. Into the final few minutes. .. Saka is serenaded by Arsenal's fans as he's replaced by Trossard. A great day for the Gunners' star boy. Elsewhere, Timber has replaced Zinchenko as the Dutch defender builds up his fitness after missing pretty much all of last season. No sighting of new signing Calafiori yet though! Who else? Arsenal under pressure and in need of a spark, how many times have we seen Bukayo Saka step up? He's done it again today and the mood has been completely transformed at the Emirates as Mikel Arteta's side begin to cruise to a victory to start the season. Under 10 minutes to go now! What a strike! Saka was booked about 10 minutes ago as he showed his frustration, but he's turned it around now with a stunner that should secure an opening day victory for Arsenal. The Gunners take a quick free kick and the ball is worked out to the Englishman on the right. Saka cuts inside into the box, gives Sa the eyes, and fires an unstoppable effort into the back of the net. Better from Arsenal. They progress the ball up the pitch and Martin Odegaard strikes at goal. The ball is swirling but Jose Sa does well to push it away. Things go from bad to worse for Everton. .. Karou Mitoma gets on the wrong side of Ashley Young and the veteran cynically drags him down. Simon Hooper comes over and gives the 39-year-old his marching orders to rub salt into the wounds on what is turning out to be a hugely disappointing day for the Toffees. Arsenal are looking a little rattled here. Whereas Wolves were deep and prepared to break in the first half, the roles have now been reversed. The Gunners are now holding on and disaster almost struck when Saliba gave the ball away, but Cunha's effort was weak. Mosquera tangles with Havertz on the ground and appears to grab the German's throat with his hand. No booking though! Wolves are growing into this and the Emirates is starting to get a little tetchy. A big period coming up here for the hosts. Karma? Perhaps. Ben Brereton Diaz was the pantomine villain in that first half for his rather dramatic reaction that got Fabian Schar sent off. The forward, making his Southampton debut, then has a gilt-edged chance just yards out. He has time and space, but he doesn't connect cleanly and his shot is defelected wide. The Newcastle fans would have loved that one! Oh no! How's your luck Everton? Idrissa Gana Gueye loses the ball, Brighton break and Dany Welbeck runs towards goal before he slots home cooly. Rubbing salt into the wounds comes to mind for Sean Dyche's side. We have our first VAR overturn of the season. Lewis Dunk is adjudged to have fouled Dominic Calvert-Lewin, but it looks marginal. Simon Hooper is sent to the screen and overturns his original decision. NO penalty. A blow for Everton, but it looked like Calvert-Lewin stepped on Dunk's foot. A big 45 minutes ahead at all four games, although action at the City Ground won't resume for another 10 minutes or so. Here we go. .. It's finally half-time at the City Ground too! Chris Wood's goal is the difference, after Nottingham Forest midfielder Danilo suffered a sickening injury just minutes into the new season. We hope he is OK, and will be sure to bring you any updates on his condition when we have it. What a hectic half that was, but don't worry, Mail Sport's Craig Hope has expertly summarised the action in one tweet for you here. There's 11 minutes of added time at the City Ground after Danilo's horrific injury right at the start of the half. However, the other three Premier League games are at the break. Brereton Diaz and referee Pawson are being roundly booed off at St James' Park after Schar's red card and tempers are fraying Bednarek and Burn are then invovled in a scuffle in the tunnel, while Targett is remonstrating with the officials at the same time - we've missed this drama! In fact, a replay has just shown that Burn was waiting for Brereton Diaz in the tunnel at half-time. But, Newcastle are leading - as are Arsenal and Brighton against Wolves and Everton respectively. A hugely action-packed first 45 minutes of Premier League action on the opening weekend. It's been an extremely ferocious atmosphere at St James' Park after that red card, but Newcastle have generally been the better team since going down to 10 men. And now they are ahead! Joelinton is the man who puts his side ahead after an awful mistake from Southampton keeper Mc Carthy. The veteran stopper plays a ball straight to Isak at the edge of his own side's penalty area, before the Swede unselfishly squares to Joelinton, who slots home calmly. Disaster for the Saints, but you can't be making errors like that at this level. Arsenal remain in control at the Emirates and have a strong claim for a penalty waved away when Saka goes down. But then out of nowhere, Wolves are up the other end and Raya pulls off a brilliant save from Larsen's header. What a debut that would have made it! Bournemouth think they've equalised through Outarra as he smashes home from a corner. However, there's a long VAR check - I thought these were meant to be quick now - before it appears that Cook was narrowly offside in the build-up. Forest remain ahead through Wood. Oh no! We were waiting for Newcastle and Southampton to give us a goal, given all the other games have one, but we didn't expect this. Schar and Brereton Diaz have a coming together after Diaz shoves into the back of the Swiss defender. Schar reacts by moving his head in and Diaz collapses on the floor. It's soft, but it probably is a red card and Newcastle are down to 10 men! Disaster for Eddie Howe's side. It's easy to forget just how good Mitoma was last season before his injury, but he's reminded everyone of his talents already. The Japanese star links up with Minteh, before the former Newcastle man delivers a peach of a ball that allows Mitoma to tap in at the back post. The first goal of the Hurzeler era at Brighton. It's been coming after an outstanding start to the game and now Arsenal are ahead. Saka gets the ball on the right and delivers a peach of a cross. Havertz gets there ahead of Sa and heads into the empty net. Brilliant from the German and he is off an running for the 2024-25 season. We have our first goal of the afternoon and it's come at the City Ground! No doubt Nottingham Forest's players will be even more motivated than before after that Danilo horror injury and Chris Wood has stepped up to continue his good form from last season. The forward has been rejuvenated under Nuno Espirito Santo and puts Forest ahead. He plays a one-two with Elanga, before the ball comes out to Yates, who fires at goal. Neto parries the effort and Wood is there to tap home. A really sickening moment for Danilo here, with the reaction of the players on the pitch demonstrating just how worrying this could be. The good news, if there can be any, is that he is conscious and has his thumbs up as he is carried off. Semenyo has also come over to shake Danilo's hand on the way off and the Forest fans are chanting his name. The injury was hugely innocuous as the players challenged for a header, before the Brazilian's ankle rolled under him as he landed. Yates is on in his place following a lengthy stoppage. Horrible scenes at the City Ground as Nottingham Forest midfielder Danilo challenges Antoine Semenyo for a header. But as the Brazilian midfielder lands, he lands extremely awkwardly and looks in severe pain on the ground. This is not good news at all, and the midfielder is being shielded by blankets as he receives treatment. The rest of the players on the pitch look in shock, demonstrating just how serious this could be. Danilo is now being carried off on a stretcher as the City Ground chants his name. We are sending our best wishes to Danilo and hope he is OK. How have Everton not scored? Dwight Mc Neil is played in by Abdoulaye Doucoure, but his effort strikes the post. Everton were guilty of being extremely wasteful last season and surely they are not going to be victim to the same problem this time around are they? Meanwhile, Jack Stephens is clearly offside as he tucks home Will Smallbone's shot into an empty net from close range for Southampton at Newcastle. What an exciting start to the afternoon's actions. It's a brilliant welcome back for Newcastle at St James' Park. .. Everton think they're ahead after Harrison tucks home after Keane flicked-on Mc Neil's early corner, but no. .. their celebration is short-lived as the Leeds loanee was well offside. Frustrating, but no complaints from Dyche's side and a good positive start, with Harrison testing Steele moments earlier. A strong welcome to the Premier League for Brighton boss Hurzeler and the challenge it will bring though. There was a poignant tribute paid to former Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell ahead of kick off following his tragic passing over the summer. On the pitch, the Gunners have started well as they look to put in a statement to start the season. They've been aggressive and have looked to get on the ball early on. All four games are underway so stay tuned from updates from around the grounds. .. We'll be right across all of the action! Arsenal's players looked in a relaxed mood when arriving at the Emirates earlier this afternoon. They know all about the pressure and challenges a home game against a team like Wolves brings, but you can be sure they'll be ready for it. A reminder of their team today - (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Partey, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli Arsenal's players vowed they would win the Premier League title this season at a dinner just hours after Manchester City seized the league in May, revealed Mikel Arteata. The Gunners had beaten Everton 2-1, but had lost out on the title by two points to Man City. It's understood that senior figures like co-chair Josh Kroenke attended the dinner, which also had families present. Read the full story below. .. When Wolves last travelled to the Emirates, they put in a respectable display but ultimately went down 2-1. Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard got on the scoresheet that day, before Matheus Cunha's late consolation. Yet, I'm sure all Gunners supporters would absolutely take a similar result as they look to get what could be a memorable campaign off to the perfect start. Catch up on the highlights from that December 2023 clash below. .. It's All Kicking Off co-hosts Ian Ladyman and Chris Sutton have had their say, but what do you think will happen this coming season? Let us know by quote tweeting Mail Sport's post below and sharing your predictions. And what a day for it! Mail Sport reported earlier today how Arsenal are set to make an improved bid for Real Sociedad star Mikel Merino. The Spanish midfielder has been has been one of the Gunners' key targets this summer, but they haven't yet been able to agree a fee with the Basque side. However, in what is probably positive news for Arsenal, Merino has been left out of Sociedad's squad for their La Liga opener tomorrow night, as he closes in on a move to the Emirates. Read the full story below. .. Arsenal have pushed Manchester City all the way across the past two campaigns, narrowly missing out on the Premier League both times. But could this be the year they finally take that extra step and win the top-flight title for the first time since 2004? Mail Sport's Isaan Khan has delved into Mikel Arteta's project and his plans to finally win the Premier League this season. Click the link above to read his piece. .. There's plenty of nice new team sheet graphics around for the upcoming campaign and Everton join the list of teams displaying one with a very neat look. One debutant is in the team in Iroegbunam, while fellow summer signings Ndiaye, O'Brien and Lindstrom make the bench. Here's how they will line up - (4-4-1-1) - Pickford; Young, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko; Harrison, Gana, Ireogbunam, Mc Neil; Doucoure, Calvert-Lewin Meanwhile, it's a new dawn at Brighton with Fabian Hurzeler the youngest manager in the Premier Leauge at 31, and the German coach has picked his first XI as Seagulls boss. (3-4-3) - It's much the same for Nottingham Forest who have NO new signings in the starting XI despite a busy summer in the market. They look set to line up in like this - (4-2-3-1) - Sels; Williams, Boly, Murillo, Aina; Sangare, Danilo; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood Bournemouth's new record signing Evanilson misses out after completing his £40m signing from Porto on Friday, but Andoni Iraola's side otherwise look strong. (4-2-3-1) - Neto; Smith, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez; Cook, Scott; Tavernier, Dango, Sinisterra; Semenyo Newcastle will be hoping to get their campaign off to the best possible start at St James' Park when they take on newly-promoted Southampton. Here's how they line up: (4-3-3) - Pope; Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall; Guimaraes, Joelinton, Longstaff; Murphy, Isak, Gordon It looks like Southampton will set up with a back five today, as Russell Martin gets set to manage his first ever Premier League game, with new signings Brereton Diaz and Sugawara in from the start. (5-3-2) - Mc Carthy; Sugawara, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Stephens, Walker-Peters; Downes, Smallbone, Aribo; Brereton Diaz, Armstrong And Wolves' team is also out. New signings Rodrigo Gomes and Jorgen Strand Larsen make their debuts for Gary O'Neil's side. It promises to be a tough ask for Wolves today, but they showed plenty of times last season that they can upset some of the bigger teams in the Premier League. And here we are! No major shocks in the Arsenal team, with the usual spine making up much of Arteta's side. Zinchenko does get the nod over both Timber and Calafiori at left back, presumably due to the latter pairing still getting up to match fitness. Elsewhere, Martinelli is preferred to Torssard on the left wing. We'll have all the team news with you in a couple of minutes. And doesn't the Emirates look a picture. .. There's plenty of talking points ahead of the new campaign all across the table. Will Arsenal finally edge out Man City to win the league? What will Liverpool look like under Arne Slot? And who knows how Chelsea will fare? Mail Sport's football editor Ian Ladyman has given his definitive verdict on all things in the Premier League this year. Read his thoughts below. .. Some big breaking news that is just with us, former Manchester United and England defender Phil Jones has retired from football. Jones has been without a club since leaving Old Trafford in 2023, but he has officially confirmed he has now hung up his boots and is focusing on a career in coaching. Jones was a brilliant defender on his day - something that saw Sir Alex Ferguson once claim 'he could be our best ever player' - but the defender's time in the game was unfortunately blighted by injuries. Read the full story below. .. As ever in the summer window, there's been plenty of movement in the transfer market as clubs have splashed the cash to improve on their performances from last season. But with the hectic nature of the past few months - particularly with Euro 2024 - it's easy to lose track of who has gone where. Fear not! Mail Sport has got you covered so if you wanted to refresh your mind on the big moves this window, take a look at our extensive club-by-club transfer round-up below. .. That's not what you want to see on the Premier League's opening day. Mail Sport has got you covered with reporters out at all games, but it looks like there are a few problems with the trains today. Tara will be at the City Ground, bringing us updates from Nottingham Forest vs Bournemouth, so let's hope the issues with her travels clear up. They took their time, but Man United eventually found a way to break down Fulham last night in an entertaining start to the new season. New £36. 5million signing Joshua Zirkzee was the hero, with the former Bologna star coming off the bench to slot home from Alejandro Garnacho's cross. United had looked a bit toothless in attack until then, but Zirkzee's goal ensured they began their campaign in fine fashion - and are even top of the table, for now! Catch up on the highlights from the clash at Old Trafford below. .. It's quiet here now, but it promises to be a fantastic atmosphere in a few hours time. After two second-place finishes, could this be the year that Arsenal finally take that next step and win the Premier League? We'll be focusing on what's going on at the Emirates in our blog this afternoon, but will also make sure to bring you updates from around the grounds. The Premier League may have begun last night with Man United's 1-0 victory over Fulham, but there are six more games across today. Liverpool are taking on Ipswich in the lunchtime kick off, with that clash currently 0-0 after half an hour. Four games are at 3PM, with Arsenal vs Wolves, Newcastle vs Southampton, Nottingham Forest vs Bournemouth and Everton vs Brighton continuing a fascinating day, before West Ham entertain Aston Villa tonight. We've got you covered so be sure to stay tuned throughout the day! And welcome to Mail Sport's live blog from the opening Saturday of Premier League action this season. Be sure to stick with us throughout the afternoon for all the build-up, team news and updates from today's 3PM kick offs. It promises to be a cracker! Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group