Saturday was a good day for Premier League newcomers, with many recent signings helping their new clubs. Meanwhile, newly-promoted Bournemouth unleashed a secret weapon.
While some players are still getting used to the strains of Premier League football, others are already laying down markers for the rest of the league to notice.
Here’s how all the new boys got on…
Manchester United 0-0 Newcastle United
In the early kick-off, Chancel Mbemba kept Manchester United at bay as Newcastle earned hard-fought point at Old Trafford. Florian Thauvin showed enough to get Newcastle fans excited and almost scored a last-minute winner after replacing Gabriel Obertan.
Alexandar Mitrovic was also impressive in his first outing for the Magpies and thought he had beaten Sergio Romero after just 23 minutes, only to see his header bounce back off the crossbar.
Memphis Depay struggled to inspire a lackluster United side for whom Bastian Schweinsteiger underwhelmed in his full debut. Morgan Schneiderlin did well to keep Georginio Wijnaldum in check for most of the game, but Matteo Darmian will be disappointed in his performance after a solid opening two games.
Familiar story for MUFC. No spark, no dynamism. They won't win often enough with that attack. Rooney a worry. Credit to #NUFC. Defended well
— Oliver Kay (@OliverKay) August 22, 2015
West Ham 3-4 Bournemouth
Callum Wilson showed his Premier League potential as he completed his hat-trick with a penalty, after Carl Jenkinson brought down the lively Max Gradel in the box.
Marc Pugh scored Bournemouth’s other goal after replacing the disappointing Joshua King with just 50 minutes gone. Meanwhile, Artur Boruc shipped goals to Cheikhou Kouyate and Modibo Maigo as well as a penalty from Mark Noble.
Darren Randolph’s poor form against Bournemouth continued, and Angelo Ogbonna faced the humiliation of being replaced after just 34 minutes with his side down 2-0. Neither Pedro Obiang nor Dimitri Payet could prevent the Hammers from slumping to a second defeat in a row.
14 – Callum Wilson has now scored more away goals than any other player in the top four tiers since the start of last season. Update.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 22, 2015
Crystal Palace 2-1 Aston Villa
Bakary Sako scored a dramatic late winner as Crystal Palace overcame a stubborn Aston Villa side at Selhurst Park. Sako’s goal was assisted by Scott Dann, who had previously given Palace the lead.
Former PSG man Yohan Cabaye did just enough as those around him stepped up, with Alex McCarthy only beaten when Pape Souare turned Adama Traore’s cross into his own net.
But it was mostly negative for Villa’s new signings with Jordan Amavi having a day to forget, while none of Rudy Gestede, Micah Richards and Idrissa Gueye covered themselves in glory either.
Leicester City 1-1 Tottenham Hostpur
N’Golo Kante and Gokhan Inler played for ten minutes off the bench as Leicester kept their unbeaten season going. Dele Alli scored his first goal in a Spurs shirt but the 19-year-old saw his strike cancelled out just 90 seconds later by Riyad Mahrez.
Robert Huth kept Harry Kane quiet for most of the game while Shinji Okazaki failed to make much of an impression. Tottenham’s only new signing on the pitch was Toby Alderweireld who was overshadowed by his international teammate Jan Vertonghen.
Looking forward to seeing how Inler does at Leicester. Wonder if he can have as much impact as Cambiasso. #lcfc pic.twitter.com/mszBXJ2F25
— Sam (@samuelJayC) August 19, 2015
Norwich City 1-1 Stoke City
Xherdan Shaqiri set up Stoke’s only goal of the game as Mame Biram Diouf’s strike ensured they left Carrow Road with a point. Shaqiri’s former Barcelona teammate Ibrahim Afellay was quiet in comparison, and he was replaced by former Real Madrid man Joselu with less than an hour gone.
Chelsea loanee Marco van Ginkel and former Liverpool defender Glen Johnson also featured for the Potters. The Canaries will be delighted with the performances of their fullbacks as Robbie Brady impressed at left-back, while right-back Russell Martin scored the equaliser.
Sunderland 1-1 Swansea City
Sunderland managed to stop the rot as they drew at home to Swansea. Jeremain Lens set up Jermain Defoe to cancel out Bafetimbi Gomis’s first-half strike. Former Liverpool defender Sebastián Coates almost won the game in the dying moments as he headed Yann M’Vila’s cross just the bar.
Only the woodwork could deny Andre Ayew from adding to his tally of two goals from the opening two games, while new singing Eder made a brief and unremarkable cameo for the Swans.
Goodness! @andreAyew s assist and Gomis goal for Swansea is just explosive! The turning was fabulous
— Nathaniel Attoh @Citizenattoh (@NiiAttoh5) August 22, 2015
