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Comparable
to any high-octane soap opera, there have been tales of million-pound
spending, a resignation before the opening game, and one frugal
Frenchman signing a contract until 2014. Where else would you have an
Argentine captain in England (the Falklands war more than a distant
memory), the launch of the Tracer T90 and an Italian duo designing
official wear for a Russian-owned enterprise?

These are not sub plots of ‘Dallas’ reruns, it’s the English Premier League back with a bang: and what a start it was.

Manager of the Year
2009/10, Harry Redknapp’s Spurs faced big spending Manchester City in
the first match. An exciting game from start to finish, the only wonder
is how it ended goalless. Perhaps due to City’s Joe Hart and his
goalkeeping display. It earned him the Man of the Match award. Look out
for press on this young man as the English media will expectedly go
into overdrive.

In the meantime,
Arsene Wenger should get the cheque book ready; he can bring in Shay
Given should the Schwarzer deal go awry. The other potential English
keepers suffered a reversal of this to let in nine goals between them.
Three of these were scored by Didier Drogba in what was only the
seventh opening day hat trick in premier league history. Chelsea ended
last season with an 8-0 victory and a Drogba hat trick and have started
this one with 6-0. Ominous times ahead for the other teams? I refer all
Blues to the Hollies’ very apt opening lyrics – ‘the road is long, with
many a winding turn’.

Essien is back

Beware the Red
Devils. Here’s hoping you live up to your nickname, pensioners. It was
great to see Michael Essien back in fine form and one always has an eye
on the African talent in the EPL: the Toure brothers, Mikel, Frimpong,
Chamakh, Mensah, Assou-Ekotto, Abdoulaye Faye and the rest.

We move on to the
other fixtures: favourites to be whipping boys, Blackpool instead gave
Wigan a thorough whipping, topping the embryonic table for two hours.
The beauty of the game is in these stories of the unexpected. Red
cards, several yellows, own goals and a penalty all added to the
talking point for the opening fixtures.

Against Arsenal,
Joe Cole was sent off for a reckless tackle in the first half; a half
that saw much of the usual from the gunners. They had almost 60% of
possession and made countless aimless passes in midfield but never
looked like scoring. Not much has changed in that department, or with
Almunia. He had enough heart stopping moments for their fans to revolt
if a goalie is not signed as a matter of urgency. Liverpool defended
stoutly at Anfield and led until a rare mistake by Reina levelled the
scoreline.

Arsenal have lost
Campbell, Gallas, Slivestre and Senderos and brought in only Laurent
Koscielny. Not enough cover in case of injury.

Last but not the
least; Newcastle United faced a baptism of fire at Old Trafford. Ryan
Giggs and Paul Scholes again showed class despite their increasing age,
inspiring the Red Devils to an opening match win to keep Chelsea on
their toes.

Standouts at home

Despite the
excitement in other lands, there are a couple of standouts at home: the
NFF elections are expected to hold in two days. We look forward to a
Board that will reenergise our football. Will Samson Siasia be the
Super Eagles coach? It’s not going to be an easy job and the clamour
for a Nigerian coach is deafening. Nigerians, you have asked for him.

Don’t turn around and crucify him while we build a Super Eagles for the 21st century.