Who would have believed....?
1. ...That the young man who took Kyle Walker's right back berth for Spurs at Newcastle was named Kyle Walker-Peters, and that he would win the Sky man of the match award. In truth that award was decided by one man - former Arsenal man Alan Smith, but everyone was impressed by Kyle's competence and confidence on the ball. His stats were very good indeed, but his ability to step up to the Premier League was no surprise to me. Kyle is just 20 years of age (born on April 13th, 1997), and if you check the Google site search for Spurs Odyssey on the home page, you will find reports on him dating back to 2013. Now everybody knows of his promise after this game, and an impressive summer tournament in the U-20 England World Cup winning side, and everybody also knows he can play on the left or right side. Good luck to this grounded young man, previously only seen as an unused sub in three first team games over the last couple of seasons. We can look forward to seeing more of him I am sure.
2. ...That the first person whose name was noted by referee Andre Marriner was Harry Kane, whose scissor tackle on Newcastle's Florian Lejeune was described as a worse offence than that of Jonjo Shelvey by Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez. Mr. Marriner saw things the right way and sent Shelvey off for his petulant standing on Dele Alli's ankle (for that is what it was, rather than a stamp), having booked Kane. Incidentally, Shelvey was seen to snub Dele's offered hand in the pre-match ceremony, so perhaps there is an agenda between the two?
3. ...That Spurs left back Ben Davies would score in two consecutive Premier League games? That's something Kyle Walker and Danny Rose haven't managed in their time with Spurs. Rose, who has publicly apologised for his comments in the press last week, will surely face a battle to win his place back when he does regain match fitness.
4. That the best performance this weekend of the three promoted teams would be that of Huddersfield, who won the Championship Play-Off Final against Reading on penalties, and who actually finished fifth in the Championship. Had it not been for Manchester United's annihilation of West Ham, the Yorkshire side would have been top of the fledgling league. They host Newcastle next Sunday!
5. That champions Chelsea would lose to Burnley; have two sent off, and see their former player Matic star at Old Trafford? May Conte's side continue their losing form next Sunday at Wembley!
All this and more excited us in week one of the Premier League. Spurs are the top team in London, above Arsenal, and three points above West Ham, who are at the bottom. What's not to like?
P.S - Kyle Walker-Peters was very much appreciated by Spurs Odyssey voters, but came second to play-maker Christian Eriksen, who was the Spurs Odyssey man of the match.
· See the spursometer in full.
Results 11-13.08.17
Arsenal 4-3 Leicester
Watford 3-3 Liverpool
Chelsea 2-3 Burnley
C. Palace 0-3 H'dsfield
Everton 1-0 Stoke
S'hampton 0-0 Swansea
West Brom 1-0 B'mouth
Brighton 0-2 Man City
Newcastle 0-2 Spurs
Man Utd 4-0 West Ham
Premier League Table - 2017-18
P W D L F-A GD Pts
1. Man Utd 1 1 0 0 4-0 4 3
2. H'dsfield 1 1 0 0 3-0 3 3
3. Man City 1 1 0 0 2-0 2 3
4. Spurs 1 1 0 0 2-0 2 3
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5. Arsenal 1 1 0 0 4-3 1 3
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6. Burnley 1 1 0 0 3-2 1 3
7. Everton 1 1 0 0 1-0 1 3
8. West Brom 1 1 0 0 1-0 1 3
9. Liverpool 1 0 1 0 3-3 0 1
10. Watford 1 0 1 0 3-3 0 1
11. S'hampton 1 0 1 0 0-0 0 1
12. Swansea 1 0 1 0 0-0 0 1
13. Leicester 1 0 0 1 3-4 -1 0
14. Chelsea 1 0 0 1 2-3 -1 0
15. B'mouth 1 0 0 1 0-1 -1 0
16. Stoke 1 0 0 1 0-1 -1 0
17. Brighton 1 0 0 1 0-2 -2 0
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18. Newcastle 1 0 0 1 0-2 -2 0
19. C. Palace 1 0 0 1 0-3 -3 0
20. West Ham 1 0 0 1 0-4 -4 0
