Community Shield: Arsenal 1 – 1 Liverpool (5-4 pens)
Goals: Aubameyang, Minamino Assists: Saka
The Gabonese marvel, Aubameyang, put forward his case as the best captaincy option for Gameweek 1 after a lovely finish from a wonderful cross-field pass from Saka (£5.5m) in his side’s Community Shield victory.
The young Englishman could again provide good value this season despite costing £1m more.
Emiliano Martínez (£4.5m) carried on from where he left off last season with another virtuouso display in the net. Surely he won’t be dropped now?
William Saliba (£4.5m), in contrast, failed to come off the bench as the same defensive line from the FA Cup final started the match. Rob Holding does look primed for a loan move though.
Rhian Brewster (£4.5m) was only brought on to take a penalty, which perhaps indicates that Liverpool will be looking to loan him out to another Premier League club this season in order for him to get more game time.
Brighton 1 – 1 Chelsea
Goals: Gross (pen), Werner Assists: Connolly, Hudson-Odoi
Timo Werner (£9.5m) got off to a flier thanks to a wonderful cross from Hakim Ziyech (£8m) in the build-up to his goal that led to Hudson-Odoi’s poor attempted header at goal, landing beautifully at the feet of Werner to slot home – a chance he couldn’t miss.
Ziyech certainly looks like he has assists in his locker this season with both him and Werner looking underpriced as new signings to the league.
Brighton looked solid.
Crystal Palace 3 – 0 Charlton Athletic
Goals: Ayew x 2, Zaha Assists: Zaha, Townsend, Pierrick
Tyrick Mitchell (£4m) started at left-back with his main competition, Riedewald, covering in centre-midfield instead. We therefore must wait until Palace’s next friendly to know for sure if the former is ahead of the latter in that position.
Of course, Mitchell is just a short-term option until van Aanholt’s return from injury but he could potentially be replaced with teammate Nathan Ferguson (also £4m) if he comes back into the line-up at the same time as the flying Dutchman.
New signing, Eberechi Eze, was electric in his first-half performance, which seems to have buoyed his fellow attackers in turn.
Newcastle Utd 2 – 1 Barnsley
Goals: Carroll, Murphy (pen) Assists: Ritchie
Matt Ritchie (£5m) may no longer be classed as an OOP defender but that still doesn’t put a halt to his attacking returns and he is still kindly priced as a midfielder in FPL.
Southampton 7 – 1 Swansea City
Goals: Adams, Redmond, Ings x 2 (1 pen), Ward-Prowse x 2 (1 pen), Bertrand
Assists: Bertrand x 2, Adams (unconfirmed), Armstrong, Redmond x 2, Ings
The Saints ran riot in a game made up of four 30 minute quarters. There were no surprises at all in a full strength line-up, which means that Che Adams (£6m) stands a good chance of getting decent minutes.
Interestingly, Danny Ings took the first penalty ahead of James Ward-Prowse. Alex McCarthy kept a clean sheet during his time on the pitch too.
Tottenham Hotspur 1 – 0 Birmingham City
Goals: Bergwijn Assists: Højbjerg
Eric Dier (£5m) started his second game in as many days with a further 45 minutes notched under his belt.
This cements his status as Mourinho’s first-choice centre-back ahead of the new season, which potentially makes him great value given his kind price tag.
West Ham Utd 2 – 1 Brentford
Goals: Yarmolenko, Souček Assists: Fornals, Antonio
The Czech ‘Fellaini’ again strengthened his credentials as the best budget midfielder after his second pre-season goal in as many games.
Michail Antonio, meanwhile, limped off injured after coming on at half-time.
Ben Johnson (£4m) came on for Ryan Fredericks after 58 minutes so we are still none the wiser as to which one will start the season at right-back.
Hopefully West Ham will arrange another friendly as today’s starting line-up was certainly not full strength and therefore not one to judge.
Aston Villa 5 – 2 Wycombe Wanderers
Goals: Konza, Trezeguet, Samatta, El Ghazi x 2
Orjan Nyland (£4m) saved a second-half penalty but not much more is known about this match. Samatta scored his second pre-season goal.
Leicester City 0 – 0 Sheffield Wednesday
There was a 45 minute run-out for Jamie Vardy, with James Justin the only player to last the full 90.
Wes Morgan walked off injured after 30 minutes, which further complicates the Foxes’ defensive situation. Jonny Evans is suspended for the first three games.
West Brom 0 – 1 Nottingham Forest
There was a 45 minute run-out for Pereira as the whole squad all built up their fitness.
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