Premier League: Five essential picks for your fantasy team
Manchester City begin the defence of their Premier League crown when they travel to the London Stadium to take on West Ham to headline Sunday’s action. Pep Guardiola’s side have undergone a transformation this summer, bringing in arguably the world’s best striker in Erling Haaland, while losing Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus.
The Hammers will want to cause an upset and David Moyes will hope new £30m signing Gianluca Scamacca can lessen the burden this season on Michail Antonio this season after the Italian striker joined from Sassuolo. While Maxwel Cornet’s arrival from Burnley for £17.5m has given Moyes a boost and taken their spending north of £100m: “He is a versatile player with good experience, both in the Premier League and in European football, and will add strength and quality to our squad. He made a big impact with his performances for Burnley last season and he has impressed me with his desire to improve and challenge himself further here at West Ham.”
Follow all the latest updates from the London Stadium PLUS updates from the earlier kick-off at Old Trafford between Man United and Brighton:
West Ham 0-0 Manchester City
6 mins; Grealish gets his first touch in an attacking area on the left. His cross is headed away by Johnson, who starts alongside Zouma in defence.
This is a big season for Grealish, who will have a run in the team to begin the year.
Jamie Braidwood7 August 2022 16:38
West Ham 0-0 Manchester City
4 mins: Not yet. Ederson collided with Dias and has a, shall we say, shiner around his eye? The Brazilian stays on.
Jamie Braidwood7 August 2022 16:35
West Ham 0-0 Manchester City
3 mins: Oh, interesting. Ederson has unfortunately stayed down. Will City be forced into a change of goalkeeper?
Jamie Braidwood7 August 2022 16:34
West Ham 0-0 Manchester City
2 mins: Hello? City gave it away cheaply at the back and a cross towards Antonio is awkward! West Ham ask more questions from the corner. Bowen’s shot is blocked and then Antonio heads over from Fornals’ cross! Lively start.
Jamie Braidwood7 August 2022 16:33
Kick-off! West Ham 0-0 Manchester City
The final match at the opening weekend is underway in east London!
Jamie Braidwood7 August 2022 16:31
West Ham vs Manchester City
There is a brilliant noise at the London Stadium – and a record attendence of 62,000.
West Ham XI: Fabianski, Coufal, Zouma, Cresswell, Johnson, Rice, Soucek, Lanzini, Bowen, Fornals, Antonio
Man City XI: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Ake, Cancelo, Rodrigo, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Foden, Haaland, Grealish
Jamie Braidwood7 August 2022 16:28
West Ham vs Manchester City
So from one side of Manchester to the other, as the Premier League champions begin their defence at the London Stadium and at West Ham United.
Erling Haaland leads the line for City. The striker’s Premier League debut means this match cannot be missed.
(AFP via Getty Images)
Jamie Braidwood7 August 2022 16:25
Gross double condemns woeful United to opening defeat under Ten Hag
Manchester United’s new era begins much like the last ended. Erik ten Hag’s first competitive game in charge will be recorded as a defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion and will be remembered as even more deflating than the 4-0 reverse at the Amex in the penultimate game of last season: not just because this time it came at Old Trafford, but because it punctures any sense early optimism built by this latest cultural reset.
United’s aspirations of a top-four finish and a swift return to the Champions League under their new manager were made to look remote by Pascal Gross’ first-half double, which earned Brighton’s first-ever win at this ground. It was deserved. Bar a spell of pressure leading up to Alexis Mac Allister’s own goal, United offered precious little evidence of having made progress over the summer.
Report by Mark Critchley at Old Trafford
Pascal Gross double condemns Manchester United to opening defeat under Erik ten Hag
Manchester United 1-2 Brighton: Cristiano Ronaldo was brought on before United pulled one back, but they were unable to overturn Brighton’s half-time lead as the Seagulls won their first-ever match at Old Trafford
Jamie Braidwood7 August 2022 16:16
FULL TIME! Manchester United 1-2 Brighton
Roy Keane is not surprised by the final score. “It’s the same shortcomings,” he says. Keane is full of praise for Brighton, who were excellent.
“Fred and McTominay are not good enough,” Keane adds.
We kind of knew that last season. How can United be going into the season with the same midfield?
Jamie Braidwood7 August 2022 16:05
FULL TIME! Manchester United 1-2 Brighton
“We can’t ask for more,” Gross tells Sky Sports. “To win at Old Trafford in United’s first match. We created chances and took them.”
(Getty Images)
Jamie Braidwood7 August 2022 16:04