LONDON, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- Although it is still very early days in the 2018-19 season, the first weekend of Premier League fixtures has given football fans a taste of what they can expect over the coming months, and there are signs that what happened last season could well be repeated this time round.
Manchester City kicked off their defense of a title they won by 19 points last season with a comfortable 2-0 win away to Arsenal, in a game where Pep Guardiola's side, despite having players such as Kevin de Bruyne, Gabriel Jesus and Leroy Sane on the bench, appeared to play by memory. Raheem Sterling, who opened the scoring, belied the lack of confidence he sometimes shows with England, and new arrival Riyad Mahrez slotted into the side with ease.
Aymeric Laporte, who arrived in January, looked assured in central defense, while the display of Benjamin Mendy, who missed most of last season through injury, hints that he will have much to offer over the coming months.
Unai Emery had a disappointing debut as Arsenal head coach, with his side doing little to suggest that they can mount a title challenge in the first season following the end of Arsene Wenger's 22-year reign.
In fairness to the Spaniard, he can only work with what he has, and a look at the Arsenal squad shows that many of Emery's problems this season stem from the stagnation at the club during the twilight years of Wenger's time in charge, suggesting that Emery will do well to lift them into the top four.
Elsewhere, last season's beaten Champions League finalists Liverpool produced an aggressive and confident display to dispatch West Ham 4-0, with Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane both back on the goal trail.
New goalkeeper Alisson had little to do as Liverpool bossed the midfield, with new arrival Naby Keita putting in a commanding display, with England captain Jordan Henderson starting on the bench.
Daniel Sturridge's late goal will also please coach Jurgen Klopp. If the former England striker rediscovers his mojo after two injury-ravaged years, his return will feel like a new signing.
New Chelsea coach Maurizio Sarri also got off to a winning start with a 3-0 victory over Huddersfield, with the world's most expensive goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga keeping a clean sheet. The home side had some early chances, but the game turned after Jorginho and N'Golo Kante took control of Chelsea's midfield.
Tottenham also claimed a morale-boosting win after a frustrating summer without any new signings. Dele Alli returned to form and scored a goal as they defeated Newcastle United 2-1 at St James' Park, and Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino will be hopeful that players such as Alli, Harry Kane and Cristian Eriksen will improve as they return to full fitness after the World Cup, although he will also be aware of the need to spend in January in order to maintain a realistic title challenge.
Manchester United coach Jose Mourinho spent much of pre-season complaining that the World Cup had robbed him of key players and about the club's lack of movement in the transfer market.
He may be slightly happier after they kicked off their campaign with a 2-1 win over Leicester City, but the fact that United were again happy to 'park the bus' against a supposedly inferior side did little to suggest they will go close to overturning last season's 19-point deficit to their neighbors.
