Premier League hits and misses: Darwin Nunez, William Saliba and more

07.08.2022, 10:52 skysports.com

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Liverpool endured a frustrating afternoon at Craven Cottage but they will be encouraged by what they saw from Darwin Nunez. The £85m signing from Benfica was named among Jurgen Klopp's substitutes but, much like in the Community Shield against Manchester City last weekend, his introduction changed the game. In just 39 minutes on the pitch, he grabbed a goal, an assist, and attempted four shots - twice as many as any other Liverpool player managed all game - three of which were on target. He looked raw at times but Nunez brought a chaos factor which changed the momentum of the game. More or less everything Liverpool did as an attacking force happened around him. "He was involved in a lot of goalscoring situations and that's really cool," said Klopp. Nunez also ranked top for touches in the opposition box (seven) and aerial duels won (three), and even created the joint-most scoring chances (two) along with Jordan Henderson. His game still requires refinement, but that only makes his instant impact more encouraging. If this is what he can do on his Premier League debut, then there is surely even better to come.Nick Wright Get Sky Sports Watch free match highlights Download the Sky Sports App Latest Sky Sports videos Jurgen Klopp said the best aspect of Saturday's thrilling 2-2 draw with Fulham was the result, and it was a fair assessment. In the first half at Craven Cottage, his side looked spooked. Marco Silva deserves all the praise for coming up with an organised game plan to ensure the Premier League newcomers won the midfield battle in the first half. There was an exciting blend between Harrison Reed, Andreas Pereira and Joao Palhinha while Fulham exploited the width in behind Liverpool's full-backs. Mitrovic had only had five touches in the opening 20 minutes, but his influence would grow. His first goal was precisely the sort of goal Silva will have mapped out on the eve of this encounter, playing through the lines with his talisman meeting a deep cross with a meaty header inside the six-yard box. Since the start of last season, Mitrovic has scored 45 goals in English league football, 16 more than any other player - and yet the question has always remained over whether he can cut the mustard at this level. Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jordan Henderson have won all there is to achieve in the English domestic and European game, and as they hobbled back onto the team coach and headed back to Merseyside, I am sure they would collectively agree that Fulham's burly striker had caused them as many problems as any forward encountered in recent memory. What it boils down to is belief. A fan behind me pointed out inside the opening five minutes, 'we're playing Liverpool, not Middlesbrough!' But maybe that was an insight into how these fans have felt about coming up a level over the past five years. A sense of trepidation from the first whistle. Fulham, and Mitrovic, would not show it throughout this game. They and their talisman have momentum, a growing maturity and a belief they can go toe-to-toe with any team in the league on this evidence.Ben Grounds Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Gabriel Jesus was the best player on the pitch in the first half of Arsenal's 2-0 win against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. But by the end of the night, it was another debutant for the Gunners who was taking the acclaim. A man who signed for the club in 2019. The wait for William Saliba to play in the Premier League has frustrated fans who had long wanted to see the young centre-back in action. This performance showed why there has been such a fuss. He was outstanding in helping Arsenal see out the win. Composure in possession is a trait that might be expected at this level but what was striking was that Saliba looked composed even when Palace's best dribblers were running at him with his pace. "I thought he was really good," Jamie Carragher told Sky Sports. "There was one moment when a ball went in behind the Arsenal back four, in behind Ben White, and he just came across, running alongside someone. The way he dealt with it, with his long stride and his arm came across, he just looks the part." The expectation now is that Saliba can make a major impact. In a way, though, he already has. With the crowd up and the lead slender, this game may have slipped away last season. With the help of their talented young defender, that looks less likely than before.Adam Bate Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Ryan Sessegnon and Emerson Royal both delivered superb performances that justified Antonio Conte's decision to start the wing-backs against Southampton. A few eyebrows were raised before kick-off as the Italian opted to start Sessegnon ahead of new signing Ivan Perisic, while Royal got the nod ahead of Matt Doherty and new arrival Djed Spence. But after surprisingly going behind, the pair shone to drive Spurs to a comfortable win. On the left, Sessegnon headed in Spurs' equaliser as he went on to produce the best passing accuracy in the final third of any Tottenham player. He also delivered four crosses - only Heung-Min Son delivered more - in an eye-catching display that saw the home crowd chant his name. The Spurs faithful may soon need a song for Royal too after an equally impressive showing. He provided two assists in the space of two second-half minutes as he forced Mohammed Salisu's own goal before some superb work to tee up Kulusevski's goal. It was arguably the Brazilian's best performance since joining the club last summer after an underwhelming first season. Defensively he won the joint-most duels (7) of any Spurs player, while going forward he ranked second for shots (3) and touches in the opposition box (6). It is no surprise that both players' performances have come as a result of new competition in the squad, especially 22-year-old Sessegnon who is now learning from the vastly-experienced Perisic - something Conte acknowledged afterwards. He said: "I think it's very important that we signed a player like Ivan Perisic because he [Sessegnon] can see the way to learn something about Ivan. We are talking about a very important player in Ivan, a top player. "Sometimes it's good to bring into your team players even if they are a bit over-age. If they are a good player with experience, they can bring this experience to improve young players in your squad. "I think Sessegnon is doing this. I was really pleased because today he played a good game. Emerson played a good game." Eyebrows will now be raised if Sessegnon and Royal do not start against Chelsea next Sunday, live on Sky Sports.Declan Olley Everton were beaten on the opening day of the season for the first time in a decade but it took a penalty for Chelsea to find a way past Frank Lampard's unusually gritty side at Goodison Park. Jordan Pickford had a relatively quiet afternoon aside from facing Jorginho's spot-kick winner, and in a game of few clear-cut chances in open play, the hosts shaded the opportunities which did present themselves but could not find a way through. Before the game, Sky Sports' Sue Smith said she worried for her former club after a tough summer and their narrow escape from relegation last season, and though they were on the wrong side of defeat against Chelsea, their performance was not one of a team in danger of flirting with the Championship again this season.Ron Walker It may have been a heavy defeat for Saints at Spurs but boss Ralph Hasenhuttl would have been encouraged by the performances of his three new summer signings - Gavin Bazunu, Joe Aribo and Romeo Lavia. The latter in particular was a standout as the 18-year-old midfielder from Man City belied his age and inexperience to put in a strong display on his Premier League debut. Lavia made the most accurate passes (50), won possession the most times (13) and won the most fouls (4) of any Saints player. Goalkeeper Bazunu, who also joined from City, was not at fault for any of the goals and made five saves to keep the scoreline down. He looked confident at claiming crosses too and appears Premier League ready. Forward Aribo does too. The former Rangers player carried much of Saints' threat as he drew a save from Lloris in the second half and was good aerially winning seven duels - the most of any Saints player. Hasenhuttl said of his new debutants: "There was a reason why he [Lavia] had the chance to start immediately. It was not easy for the young lads to come in here. They have been brave and tried to compete." Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player But there was nothing new about the manner of Saints' defeat: self-inflicted goals, poor defending and a soft underbelly. "This is simply not good enough at this level," the Austrian said. Hasenhuttl knows that this side of his team must improve if they are to avoid a relegation battle this season.Declan Olley Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player It has been quite the 2022 for Newcastle. For starters, they have earned 41 points in the Premier League this calendar year (P20 W13 D2 L5) - the fourth most of any side after Liverpool (52), Tottenham (44) and Manchester City (43). A lot of this can be traced back to some shrewd recruitment in January, with the signings of Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn and Bruno Guimaraes bringing some much-needed quality and stability to the Newcastle squad. By the time their form began to turn around in mid-January, Newcastle were already deep in a relegation battle, having won just once in the Premier League. Some questioned whether their new billionaire owners would be watching Championship football next season. Newcastle's resurgent form eventually saw them finish 11th and pulled them away from what was an increasingly tight scrap for survival. Now, it is time to build on the good work done last season with a new slate for the 2022/23 campaign. The