Five players who struggled on the Premier League’s opening day.
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The Premier League is now up and running, with seven games on Saturday throwing up their fair share of surprises and excitement, with Manchester United beaten at home by Swansea City and Arsenal requiring a last gap Aaron Ramsey goal to earn three points against Crystal Palace.
There were also victories away from home for Hull City, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa – although plenty of players struggled to grasp the opportunity to impress, including these five:
Chris Smalling (Manchester United)
Manchester United’s makeshift back five always looked likely to be caused problems by a fluid and entertaining Swansea City team, but it was centre back Chris Smalling who struggled the most. The 2014/15 season is likely to be a vital one for Smalling, who is yet to really establish himself at Old Trafford, particularly in his favoured position in the centre, something that is unlikely to change unless he picks his performances up in the future.
Bojan Krkic (Stoke City)
Aston Villa’s 1-0 opening day victory away at Stoke City certainly came as a surprise, with the Potters struggling to sustain any threat on the visitors’ goal throughout the match at the Britannia Stadium. Former Barcelona forward Bojan Krkic was Stoke’s big signing this summer, and he impressed in pre-season, but the Spaniard was extremely quiet against Villa and never really did enough to trouble Ron Vlaar and Philippe Senderos.
Rio Ferdinand (Queens Park Rangers)
Queens Park Rangers’ return to the Premier League, coupled with former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand’s debut for the club, didn’t go to plan as Harry Redknapp’s side were beaten 1-0 by a well organised Hull City outfit. Ferdinand never looked up to pace with the match and was caught out by James Chester for the winning goal, with Ferdinand’s former teammate escaping his attentions at a set piece. Ferdinand also had one of Rangers’ best chances to equalise, but wasted the opportunity at the far post with a poor first touch.
Javier Hernandez (Manchester United)
Javier Hernandez looks likely to be sold by Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal this summer, and it isn’t hard to see why after this insipid and anonymous display at Old Trafford. Hernandez didn’t get involved in the play, didn’t make any threatening runs and generally consigned his team to playing as though they were a man light. It was no surprise when van Gaal hauled the Mexican international off at half time.
Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)
It may be harsh, but the frustrating performance of big money signing Alexis Sanchez for Arsenal this afternoon was symptomatic of a poor Gunners performance, with Arsene Wenger’s side fortunate to escape with three points after Aaron Ramsey’s dramatic late winner. Nothing really came off for Sanchez, who kept getting involved but overhit a number of crosses and was largely nullified by a Palace defence who were superb in open play. We are sure, however, that there is more to come from the Chilean.
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