The opening weekend of the Premier League saw most of the clubs getting their new recruit ticking their name on the scoresheet and mostly in fantastic ways. There were a number of star performers in the first match-day of the Premier League and here are the top three performers of the weekend:
Alexandre Lacazette
The French international scored on his debut in the Premier League with only his second touch of the ball on Friday, giving Arsenal an early lead over Leicester City at the Emirates. Although it was promptly cancelled and Arsenal needed two late goals from Olivier Giroud and Aaron Ramsey to salvage three points, Lacazette’s performance cannot be overlooked.
The absence of Alexis Sanchez was hardly felt with Lacazette on the left wing as Giroud came along. Although he lacks the twists and turns of the Chilean from wide areas and the knack to take shots from distance, Lacazette excels in dribbling past players in congested spaces and the fans have seen glimpses of it in the first game.
Romelu Lukaku
The statement-making signing of Manchester United, Romelu Lukaku took the centre stage as the Red Devils overcame a passive West Ham United side ruthlessly. Although the Hammers gave away the ball continuously and lost most 50-50s in the midfield, Lukaku’s finishing and vibrancy gave immense hope to the United fans.
Jose Mourinho has finally got his kind of number 9 in the Belgian, who is brilliant from close range and domineering from aerial duels. The first goal came from a very tight angle and with Joe Hart closing in, there was hardly any option than slotting it in off the post. The second goal (header) was a delight to the eyes. Although he tried desperately to snatch a hat-trick on his United debut, it has to wait, but hopefully not for too long.
Steve Mounie
Definitely the man of the moment, the Benin international knew he is perfect for the Premier league long before his new club Huddersfield realised it. And his brace against a poor Crystal Palace side was more than the perfect way to announce his arrival in England.
Huddersfield Town had to pay £11.5 million, a club-record fee, to land him from Ligue1 side Montpellier and he didn’t disappoint. No one expected the Terriers to gain promotion over the likes of Reading FC and Fulham FC last season and definitely did not expect the promoted side to register a win in their first game. At 6ft 3, the player is taller than the Premier League hero he idolized, Didier Drogba, and if he continues like this, chances are he can surpass his achievements one day.
