Five things we learned from the PL

Belgian – Eden Hazard has lit up the Premier League with six assists and one goal in three games

Graceful Swans flying high

Ciaran: Swansea. ‘Swansalona.’ A team who proved last season that a side can be promoted to the Premier League, play good football and succeed. After Brendan Rodgers moved to Liverpool, Michael Laudrup was announced as manager and, strangely, many pundits tipped them for relegation. Now, it’s only two games into the season, but it’s looking like they could be proven very, very wrong. After two matches Swansea are flirting with the top of the table and have the greatest goal difference of any team in the league (+8) by virtue of two big wins; 0-5 away to QPR and 3-0 at home to West Ham. It can be argued that both of these opponents are not the most difficult Swansea could have faced but it needs to be remembered that QPR have splashed the cash in an attempt to strengthen their squad and West Ham were tipped by some to stay up whilst Swansea are relegated.

A key factor in Swansea’s impressive opening start to the season has been the signings they have brought in – the most impressive being the Spaniard, Michu. After losing out on Gylfi Siggurdson’s signature, a midfielder who would score goals was needed, Laudrup pulled off a coup of in getting a midfielder who was the top scorer in his position in La Liga last season for a fee of only £2m. So far this season Michu has 3 goals and an assist, an impressive return which, if continued, could see him be one of the signings of the season.

Another signing who has impressed for the Swans is defender ‘Chico’ Flores. Signed for £2m from Genoa, the defender has played in the heart of the defence for both games and has helped Laudrup’s side to keep two clean-sheets and almost got onto the scoresheet versus QPR, seeing his header rebound off the crossbar. Two more midfield signings featured for Swansea against West Ham, the first being Canadian Jonathan De Guzman on a season long loan from Villarreal. De Guzman is a player the manager knows well, having managed him at Mallorca in the 10-11 season. The other, record-signing Ki, did not play in the match but was paraded to the home fans before the game, following his transfer from Celtic. Laudrup has strengthened the side well and if they can keep their performances at the level they are at currently, Swansea could have a very good season.

It’s going to take time for Paul Lambert and Villa

Ian: The ex-Norwich manager is third manager in three seasons, having replaced Alex McLeish last season and while Lambert was touted as a breath of fresh air to rid the club of the malaise that has blighted it, but has endured a difficult start at the helm at Villa Park. Villa are now 12 games without a win, their last coming in March. Lambert showed himself to be adaptable and tactically astute at Norwich last season. Villa have kept the ball better in their opening two games, but have lost on both occasions. Time is not something managers get a lot of today in football, but Lambert needs it, because it looks as if it will be a hard slog for him this season.

Wayne Rooney is now droppable

Ian: Those that witnessed Manchester United’s defeat to Everton on Monday night will have saw how Wayne Rooney huffed and puffed around the pitch for 90 minute. The England international looked short of match-fitness, while his first-touch was particularly poor, highlighted when Shinji Kagawa attempted to link up with him on a couple of occasions only for Rooney to scuff the ball. It was no surprise then, to see that United lined-up this afternoon with Rooney on the bench, with Robin van Persie being given his home debut. Rooney, despite scoring 27 league goals last season, did look unfit at many stages, but Ferguson persisted with him. Now, with the signing of van Persie, Rooney’s place has come under threat. The Dutchman, along with Kagawa, Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia looked incredible fluid against Fulham. Rooney did come in the second-half, but was stretcher off and brought to hospital after a particularly nasty gash on his leg. Van Persie’s home debut ended with a goal, while Rooney looks set to be ruled out for up to four weeks.

The Toffees make a flying start

Ian: We have been hearing for years now, how well David Moyes has done on a restricted budget at Everton and after over ten years in charge now he seems to have done it again. Slow starts have hindered the Toffees in recent seasons, before their customary flourish towards the end of the season, where they make a push for the European places. After successive seventh place finishes Moyes’ side have won their opening two games of the season, for the first time since August 2007 – the Toffees are now unbeaten in their last 11 Premier League games, stretching back to last season. With Steven Naismith, Steven Pienaar and Kevin Mirallas all arriving this summer and no injuries to report thus far, everything looks to have clicked into place, after 1-0 win and a 1-3 win over Manchester United and Aston Villa respectively.

Belgians – the Premier League’s new guilty pleasure

Ciaran: So far this season we have seen Chelsea’s Eden Hazard assist 6 goals and score one in just 2 games. Everton’s Marouane Fellaini also received many plaudits for his magnificent performance in their opening fixture against Manchester United, which he capped off with a goal, and his second headed goal of the season today helped Everton to a three-nil victory against Aston Villa. A player that has long impressed is finally being recognised for just how good he can be.

Everton also have another Belgian in their ranks, in Kevin Mirallas; who made his debut for the Toffees today, the pacey forward had the ball in the back of the Villa net but it was ruled out due to an offside call. Elsewhere Moussa Dembele, put in an impressive performance for Fulham against Manchester United and defender Jan Vertonghen played a part in what was almost a Tottenham clean-sheet – but for a late West Brom goal. Romelu Lukaku also played in this match, looking to secure his second goal in two games. Lukaku had a tough first season in England, getting few chances with Chelsea, but a loan move to West Bromwich Albion looks to have reinvigorated him and given him a new confidence and he threatened the Spurs goal on occasions. He could cause problems to many defensive lines across the country this season.

For more Belgian loving, follow @LFCiaran on Twitter. Or for a view range of views on football, follow @walsh_i on Twitter.

RVP: some initial thoughts

One of the many long, projected transfers of the summer looks set to be completed. Earlier this evening, it was announced that Manchester United have agreed a deal with Arsenal for striker Robin van Persie with a medical due to take place over the next couple of days. A strange summer for United fans, takes yet another twist. Left-back and central midfield are the areas that many have been crying out for renewal for while now and the last place many would have expected the club to strengthen would be up-front.

Wayne Rooney managed 27 goals in the Premier League last season, his best return for the club and indeed the most prolific season of his career, his regular strike-partner Danny Welbeck scored nine league goals in his breakthrough season for the club. Javier Hernandez managed 10 goals, while Dimitar Berbatov found the net seven times in his five starts and seven sub appearances. The squad as whole scored 89 goals in the league but they didn’t manage to outmuscle rivals, Manchester City who scored 93 goals last season to win the title on goal difference on the final day of the season.

With the signing of van Persie (29), Ferguson has broke his own rule of signing players over-27 for a fee, but the Dutch man is the Red Devils biggest signing since Berbatov back in 2008. For many, the move is a strange one, particularly from Manchester United’s point of view. In footballing terms, it makes sense. van Persie and Rooney will form the most potent strike-force in the league; between them they scored 57 league goals last season and 72 over all competitions. However, one of the main criticisms has been that van Persie is “injury prone” – he has still managed to make on average 24 appearances per season over the last eight seasons – his lowest being 15 in 2007-08 and highest last season of 38.

In his time at Arsenal, van Persie has just one piece of silverware to show, a FA Cup win from 2005. Seven years have elapsed since then and the 29-year-old has seen many team-mates leave in that time. In July he released a statement saying that he would not being signing a new contract at the Emirates as he: “in many aspects disagree on the way Arsenal FC should move forward.” The Dutchman is nearing the autumn of his career, for a striker, and is looking to fulfil his aim of winning trophies (yes, he will probably earn more wages, too)

United, having lost out on the title last season will be keen to respond this season as Ferguson usually does. If van Persie stays fit and there looks to be no immediate concerns about his fitness, despite many trying to suggest otherwise then he will add another element to United’s attack. There will be debate as to where Rooney will play of where Kagawa slots in also, but one thing is for sure, Van Persie, Rooney, Kagawa, Valencia, Nani and Young is a fearsome six for any team. An exciting season lies ahead at Old Trafford. Could there be more transfers to come?

Season Preview: #8 Manchester United

“Red wine helps” said Sir Alex Ferguson when reflecting on the Red Devils losing out on the Premier League title on goal difference last season. In many respects, last season was expected to be a transitional one for Manchester United, particularly after the departures and retirements of some experienced players. Defeat in such circumstances, as title number 20 looked to be in the bag, will probably never happen again – but failing and dropping points in such a manner, having been eight points clear was what made losing the title all the more galling for United fans.

As has become customary with Manchester United under Ferguson, it is the response that follows that is the most dangerous as Arsenal and Chelsea have found over the years having won Premier League titles, the Red Devils are always out for revenge. Last season was the club’s first trophyless season since 2004-05. Many critics out there seem to be writing United off for the season ahead, which is a dangerous thing to do, certainly as long at Ferguson reigns supreme at Old Trafford.

It was been a strange yet interesting summer at Manchester United, particularly in terms of off the field issues. Talk of IPO’s and MANU beginning floating on the New York Stock Exchange in order to raise funds, as murkier details of the Glazers ownership and how they intend to move forward. Even Ferguson struck a nerve with fans when in an interview he stated that “real fans” would see the Glazers are not damaging the club.

Just two summers signings have been made by United, both of which are very exciting signatures; 18-year-old Nick Powell from Crewe and Shinji Kagawa from Bundesliga side, Borussia Dortmund. There have been plenty of links for other players; Brazilian Lucas Moura who was linked with move to Old Trafford has decided to join PSG in January, 2013, United have already had two bids rejected for Arsenal striker, Robin Van Persie, yet remain in poll-position to sign the Dutchman before the window closes at the end of the month. Despite speculation, no move has been made for Everton left-back, Leighton Baines and despite Patrice Evra’s sharp decline in form; Fabio da Silva has been allowed to join QPR on loan. It also looks unlikely that United will sign a central-midfielder which they continue to cry out for.

Fergie doesn’t look to be near retirement just yet, but many would suspect that Manchester City are now presenting him with his final challenge. They will be under pressure to retain their title this season, while United will continue to do what they have always done but with so many genuine title contenders this season it could be very tight at the top of the Premier League come the end of the season.

Opening five fixtures: Everton (A), Fulham (H), Southampton (A), Wigan (H) and Liverpool (A).