English Premier League kicks off with thrilling action: Weekend 1 overview
With new players, coaches and newly appointed captains from respective clubs, let’s analyse the matches that happened this opening English Premier League weekend.
Chelsea defender Gary Cahill admitted his side were below par in their 2-0 loss to Manchester United on Sunday, according to a statement on the club website (www.chelseafc.com)
“We expected them to start fast and we had to try and control that, and we never did,” Cahill said.
“We didn’t click. It’s disappointing. We tried to work hard in the second half, tried to push and create, but we were below the standards we’ve set. We weren’t at the races and it makes us a bit angry. Let’s hope it’s an off day and it doesn’t cost us too much.”
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Cahill did point out that United’s first goal should not have stood following a handball by Ander Herrera. He also explained what was going through his mind when he helped Jesse Lingard to his feet moments before Herrera netted the second goal.
“I was nervous, 50/50, as to whether it was a penalty or not. It came across and I grabbed hold of him. It was instinct to try and pick him up. In hindsight it probably looks silly now, but I had the instinct that the sooner I got him up on his feet the sooner it stops the referee thinking otherwise. It was irrelevant for the goal.”
Still upbeat despite seeing their lead at the top of the Premier League table to just four points, the 31-year-old wants his side to shift their focus on Saturday’s meeting with Tottenham at Wembley.
“We have to react in the right way,” he stressed. “We have to dust ourselves off and prepare for a huge semi-final, and then we go again with some important home games coming up.”
“There’s only six games left, and we are still in a good position. We need to realise it’s not over, we need to realise there are points to play for, and we have to dig in. No-one is going to give us this league, we have to work for it like we have done for the majority of this season.”
“We reacted after Palace, we bounced back with two wins so it’s a similar thing. We have to go again. We are still in a great position," added Cahill.
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