10 talking points from the Premier League weekend as Manchester United went top and Chelsea were humiliated
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The Premier League came back with a bang this weekend.
Champions Chelsea were shocked, Romelu Lukaku rocked and Huddersfield's name was put up in lights.
Liverpool looked spectacular going forward, with Sadio Mane's goal in particular a highlight of the opening fixtures, but their defence once again let them down as they drew with Watford.
Arsenal and Leicester had set the tone when they played out a seven-goal thriller on Friday night and the games that followed did not disappoint.
Here are 10 talking points from the weekend's action...
1. Poacher Lacazette shows promise on Prem debut
(Image: Rex Features)
One thing that Arsenal certainly needed was a poacher. They've got one.
It took Alexandre Lacazette just 94 seconds to open his Arsenal Premier League account, expertly heading home from 12 yards out from Mohamed Elneny's cross.
The Frenchman was cute enough to realise Wes Morgan was edging forward and held his ground, giving himself a yard of space to guide the ball into the corner of the goal.
That mentality inside of the box could be key for Arsenal this season.
2. Chalobah has bright season ahead
(Image: REUTERS)
Nathaniel Chalobah resisted staying for another season with Chelsea in favour of first team football under Marco Silva.
The England under-21 international kept it nice and tidy and looks to have found a promising partner to anchor the Hornets' midfield with Abdoulay Doucoure.
Liverpool's trio were matched for large spells and with Gareth Southgate a known admirer and Silva set to integrate more attacking quality in the weeks ahead—Troy Deeney, Andre Gray and Richarlison—Chalobah can prosper in yellow and prove himself as a candidate for next year's World Cup squad.
3. Liverpool still can't defend
(Image: Action Images via Reuters)
Jurgen Klopp continues to overlook his side's most glaring issue: they cannot defend and while Virgil van Dijk would help, it's an issue best solved by coaching, which appears to be beyond the German.
Zonal marking at corners can work, but why is Roberto Firmino installed in the most dangerous area? The Brazilian failed to anticipate Stefano Okaka, perhaps Watford's biggest weapon at set-pieces, who powered home the opener from Jose Holebas' beautifully-delivered corner.
More confusion occurred in stoppage time as Richarlison was allowed to drive at goal and nobody picked up Miguel Britos on the goal line who equalised late on.
It's an area that needs addressing urgently and while help can be acquired in the market, Klopp must dedicate more time to it on the training ground if the Reds are to make top four again.
4. Lukaku doesn't disappoint on league debut
(Image: Getty)
Last season Zlatan Ibrahimovic took almost all the goal burden and it looks like Lukaku will be dragging United along this time.
Martial and Pogba hinted the pressure might not all be piled on the big front man this year but even if it is, Lukaku appears to be able to carry the load.
The Belgian looked quiet in the early stages, looking a little laboured as he prowled the edge of the box.
But his strikes, his 10th and 11th in 11 appearances against the hapless Hammers livened him up.
Lukaku has been uncaged from Everton's mid-table malaise to become a global superstar.
But for £75m you expect a big return and he looks set to pay his dues.
5. Little Pea, big expectations
(Image: PA)
West Ham's lack of depth piles on the pressure on Javier Hernandez up front - with little to back him up off the bench or from midfield.
The former United front man will need to start a goal run soon to put worries at ease of a struggling season, with the fitness of Andy Carroll always in question and Diafra Sakho not up to it.
The Mexican barely had a sniff in this one but produced a couple of nice touches standing off the defence.
He is at his best as a goal hanging type, just pouncing on balls in the box, he does need some decent service though.
6. Ruthless Burnley prove everyone wrong
(Image: AFP/Getty)
After losing Michael Keane and Andre Gray - arguably their best two players last season - Burnley had looked to have the odds stacked against them.
But there seems to be no issues with confidence as they came out and took the game to Chelsea right from the off.
Quick breaks and determined from set pieces, Burnley were nothing short of brilliant as they stunned champions, becoming the first team ever to go three goals up at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League.
Maybe the way to defeat this Chelsea team is just to attack?
7. Morata gives Chelsea hope
(Image: Reuters)
With an hour to play and three goals down, Alvaro Morata was brought on for his Premier League debut.
The Spanish international's introduction was in place of his direct strike rival, Michy Batshuayi, leaving Chelsea with just one out-and-out striker on the pitch.
It appeared a surprising lack of ambition from Antonio Conte, who appeared to go for damage limitation as oppose to trying to get his side back in the game.
But Morata's enthusiasm proved to have the big impact on the Chelsea team that Conte had hoped.
He got himself a Premier League debut goal and gave his side hope - even if the game was just out of reach.
8. Walker looks right at home
(Image: Manchester City FC)
Manchester City have tripled Kyle Walker's wages after his big-money move from Tottenham, but already he looks good value.
City's fullbacks last season simply couldn't do the job Pep Guardiola required, and he has majorly overhauled his squad in that department.
Walker, used to playing as a wing-back at Spurs, already looks instantly at home.
The England man bombs up and down the right flank, overing width and power running, but has also matured to the extent that he knows precisely when he needs to get back round to cover.
A solid debut.
9. Sissoko's future looks bleak
(Image: Stu Forster)
Moussa Sissoko was frequently booed by the St James' Park crowd and found it difficult to fit in to Spurs' build-up play.
Unsettled, perhaps, the club's record signing gave it away needlessly and was caught on his heels when not in possession with his team-mates urging him to push into space to create openings.
Even in transition, where he should be at his best and a situation which may transpire less with Spurs due to their dominance in possession, moves broke down through Sissoko, as he dwindled on the ball for too long.
Substituted before the hour mark, with Son Heung-min returning from injury, Sissoko failed to grasp a golden opportunity to ignite his Spurs career.
10. Once a Blue...
(Image: AFP/Getty Images)
It might have been 4,869 days since Wayne Rooney last scored for Everton, but it looked as if England's record goalscorer had never been away.
'Once a blue, always a blue' the teenage Rooney had told Everton fans before heading off for fame and fortune at Manchester United.
Thirteen years on from leaving his boyhood club, Rooney was back scoring at Goodison Park - his intelligent run into the box and powerful header against Stoke a reminder of times when defenders feared him.
He also celebrated in a fashion that it meant more to him than any of the 253 goals he scored for United.
It would be churlish to suggest Rooney is the irresistible force of old, but he clearly remains capable of having an impact on Premier League games.