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Jonathan Cook’s World Game Wrap-Up

Posted on | Posted by Jonathan Cook

Haaland lights up City’s start

Erling Haaland wasted no time making a mockery of suggestions he might not fit into the English Premier League with a debut double in a 2-0 win against West Ham.

Haaland, who made a stuttering start to life in England in last weekend’s Community Shield, won and scored a first-half penalty against the Hammers before a trademark goal after the break.

Kevin De Bruyne provided the through ball and Haaland fired home – as if he’d always been an EPL player.

The Norwegian striker scored 22 goals in 24 Bundesliga appearances for Borussia Dortmund last season.

Man Utd in a mess

Manchester United outlined the size of the task facing new manager Erik Ten Hag by losing at home to Brighton.

The Dutchman stated the obvious after the game when he said he was facing “a hell of a job”.

Not even Cristiano Ronaldo – who wants to leave – could rescue Ten Hag from a debut mess.

United, who finished sixth last season, were undone by two goals from man-of-the-match Pascal Gross in a deserved Brighton victory.

An own goal by Alexis Mac Allister gave United a lifeline but they were second best throughout.

Ronaldo, whose agent has been trying to get him a move away from Old Trafford, was a second half substitute but had little impact.

Mane loving life in Munich

Warning: Liverpool fans won’t enjoy reading this.

Sadio Mane has adapted quickly to life at Bayern Munich, scoring in their opening day thrashing of Eintracht Frankfurt and joining fans in post-match celebrations.

Mane, who was a feature of Liverpool’s success over the past six seasons, scored Bayern’s third goal in a 6-1 victory on the opening day of the German season.

The Senegalese striker scored 120 goals in 269 appearances in all competitions during his Liverpool career.

Liverpool fans had told him he’d never walk alone, and after Bayern’s win, he climbed a fence and used a megaphone to join Munich fans in celebratory chants.

Kul as you like

Tottenham Hotspur flexed their muscles without their usual suspects on the scoresheet as Harry Kane and Heung-min Son played second fiddle in a 4-1 win over Southampton.

James Ward-Prowse produced a brilliant opener for the Saints before Dejan Kulusevski triggered a Spurs response.

His cross from the right was headed home by Ryan Sessegnon before defender Eric Dier showed the instincts of a striker to head home Son’s cross.

After Mohammed Salisu’s pitiful own goal, Kulusevski fired home to complete the rout.

Jorginho on the spot

Raheem Sterling was denied a debut goal as Chelsea made a winning start to the new campaign against Everton.

Jorginho converted a penalty on the stroke of half-time, to give Chelsea their first win at Goodison Park in six attempts.

You have to cast your mind back to 2017 for the last time Everton lost at home to Chelsea when Gary Cahill was one of the goalscorers for the visitors.

Chelsea’s new left-back Marc Cucurella, who signed from Brighton for around AUD$110 million, was a late substitute for Thomas Tuchel’s side.

Mitrovic overshadows Nunez debut

A goal and assist from Darwin Nunez wasn’t enough to lift Liverpool to victory as Aleksandar Mitrovic took the plaudits for Fulham.

Mitrovic, whose record 43 English Championship goals last season was crucial in Fulham’s return to the Premier League, was the man of the moment, scoring twice in a 2-2 draw at Craven Cottage.

Liverpool’s new signing Nunez got lucky with his goal, a ricochet helping him complete an audacious back heel. He was also on hand to have the final touch before Mohamed Salah swept home his first of the season.

Spectacular Messi at the double

Lionel Messi produced a spectacular overhead kick to put the icing on the cake as Paris Saint Germain thrashed Clermont 5-0 in France’s Ligue Un.

Even without superstar Kilian Mbappe, there was an inevitability about this win, just as there is a sense that no team in France can stop PSG winning the league.

Neymar, Achraf Hakimi and Marquinhos were on target before Messi scored his first goal. But the Argentine left the best for last, taking control of countryman Leandro Paredes’s pass before an overhead kick that sealed victory.

Marseille, who finished second in the league last season, 15 points behind PSG, kicked off their new campaign with a 4-1 win over Stade Reims.




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