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Matheus Cunha is incredible, Crystal Palace must not lose key duo and this team will find it tough to avoid relegation
The opening weekend of the Premier League season has already shaped how several sides could fair. That is according to former England striker Darren Bent, who gave his assessment of the top-flight action. Bent was blown away by Matheus Cunha’s ‘incredible’ debut for Manchester UnitedGetty Tijjani Reijnders’ man of the match display was amongst the standout performancesGetty The top-flight returned at the weekend with 22 goals scored across nine matches so far. There were comfortable victories for Manchester City, Nottingham Forest, Sunderland and Tottenham. The latter’s 3-0 win over Burnley provided the Clarets with a reality check on their return from the Championship. Meanwhile, one of Manchester United’s summer signings produced an ‘incredible’ debut despite their loss to Arsenal. Leeds and Everton will bring down the curtain on matchday one at Elland Road on Monday night, live on talkSPORT. Bent analysed those results and more during Benty’s Tea Time Takeaway on Drive. Reijnders is the ‘real deal’ City’s 4-0 thumping of Wolves on Saturday was inspired by new signing Tijjani Reijnders. The midfielder, awarded the man of the match prize, scored and assisted on his Premier League debut following a £46.3million move from AC Milan. Assessing the Dutch international’s ‘comfortable’ performance, Bent said: “Tijjani Reijnders (was) the real deal, I thought. “I’ve watched him a lot for the Netherlands and he’s always been incredible. But to see what he did to Wolves, he was brilliant. Reijnders scored and assisted in City’s easy 4-0 win at MolineuxGetty “His running energy, his technique, the way he influenced the game. He scored a really good as well, nice assist, comfortable in possession, never shied away from taking the ball. “For someone who’s just got here to the Premier League and we often say it might take him a while to settle, he just looked like he was at home straight away. “It might be the system that he’s playing in. It might be what Pep’s done for him, but he looked every bit of the money that they spent.” Forest flourish Forest fans enjoyed the perfect weekend as their side completed three new signings as well as making a winning start to the season. The arrivals of James McAtee and Omari Hutchinson were both confirmed prior to their 3-1 home win over Brentford on Sunday. Forest’s spending is close to £150m after three new signings over the weekendGetty Chris Wood scored twice along with a debut goal from Dan Ndoye at the City Ground. Arnaud Kalimuendo has since been added to Nuno Espirito Santo’s squad to take their summer spending to just under £150million. Bent is confident Forest can repeat their seventh place finish from last term, explaining: “Nottingham Forest aren’t a one season wonder. “What I mean by that is that we know last season they were pushing for the Champions League. “But people thought this season they’ll come back, be a little bit off the pace, but they looked every bit as good. I thought (there were) some really good performances. “I thought (Morgan) Gibbs-White was absolutely outstanding, I thought Dan Ndoye the new signing, Elliot Anderson middle of the park, Chris Wood doing what he does.” As for their new signings, he continued: “The recruitment has been good, really good signings. “So I think this season, anyone who thought maybe Forest might finish mid-table, I looked at them and thought now do you know what? They are going to be pushing for top six, top five again.” Palace fears Bent insists Crystal Palace cannot afford to lose both Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi this summer. However, he believes Oliver Glasner is the perfect man to lead the Eagles without them. The FA Cup winners added the Community Shield to their trophy cabinet earlier this month before a controversial goalless draw with Chelsea on Sunday. It could prove to be Eze’s last appearance as he closes in on a move to Spurs, whilst Liverpool remain interested in Guehi. Eze could have played his last match for Palace ahead of a move to TottenhamGetty And Guehi’s future still hangs in the balanceGetty Bent added: “Crystal Palace have a really good team, good structure, but they can’t afford to lose Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi. “That was a big takeaway when you look at their performance, how influential they are to that Palace team. “I think it would be a travesty if they go. If they both go then, I know Glasner’s a good manager but these are two pieces they can’t afford (to lose).” Palace next face Norwegian side Fredrikstad on Thursday as they look to reach the Conference League league phase. Cunha key for United Matheus Cunha was one of three Premier League debutantes for United in their narrow defeat to Arsenal. Despite the result, the Brazilian forward impressed for Ruben Amorim’s side at Old Trafford. Cunha immed
The opening weekend of the Premier League season has already shaped how several sides could fair.
That is according to former England striker Darren Bent, who gave his assessment of the top-flight action.
The top-flight returned at the weekend with 22 goals scored across nine matches so far.
There were comfortable victories for Manchester City, Nottingham Forest, Sunderland and Tottenham.
The latter’s 3-0 win over Burnley provided the Clarets with a reality check on their return from the Championship.
Meanwhile, one of Manchester United’s summer signings produced an ‘incredible’ debut despite their loss to Arsenal.
Leeds and Everton will bring down the curtain on matchday one at Elland Road on Monday night, live on talkSPORT.
Bent analysed those results and more during Benty’s Tea Time Takeaway on Drive.
Reijnders is the ‘real deal’
City’s 4-0 thumping of Wolves on Saturday was inspired by new signing Tijjani Reijnders.
The midfielder, awarded the man of the match prize, scored and assisted on his Premier League debut following a £46.3million move from AC Milan.
Assessing the Dutch international’s ‘comfortable’ performance, Bent said: “Tijjani Reijnders (was) the real deal, I thought.
“I’ve watched him a lot for the Netherlands and he’s always been incredible. But to see what he did to Wolves, he was brilliant.
“His running energy, his technique, the way he influenced the game. He scored a really good as well, nice assist, comfortable in possession, never shied away from taking the ball.
“For someone who’s just got here to the Premier League and we often say it might take him a while to settle, he just looked like he was at home straight away.
“It might be the system that he’s playing in. It might be what Pep’s done for him, but he looked every bit of the money that they spent.”
Forest flourish
Forest fans enjoyed the perfect weekend as their side completed three new signings as well as making a winning start to the season.
The arrivals of James McAtee and Omari Hutchinson were both confirmed prior to their 3-1 home win over Brentford on Sunday.
Chris Wood scored twice along with a debut goal from Dan Ndoye at the City Ground.
Arnaud Kalimuendo has since been added to Nuno Espirito Santo’s squad to take their summer spending to just under £150million.
Bent is confident Forest can repeat their seventh place finish from last term, explaining: “Nottingham Forest aren’t a one season wonder.
“What I mean by that is that we know last season they were pushing for the Champions League.
“But people thought this season they’ll come back, be a little bit off the pace, but they looked every bit as good. I thought (there were) some really good performances.
“I thought (Morgan) Gibbs-White was absolutely outstanding, I thought Dan Ndoye the new signing, Elliot Anderson middle of the park, Chris Wood doing what he does.”
As for their new signings, he continued: “The recruitment has been good, really good signings.
“So I think this season, anyone who thought maybe Forest might finish mid-table, I looked at them and thought now do you know what? They are going to be pushing for top six, top five again.”
Palace fears
Bent insists Crystal Palace cannot afford to lose both Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi this summer.
However, he believes Oliver Glasner is the perfect man to lead the Eagles without them.
The FA Cup winners added the Community Shield to their trophy cabinet earlier this month before a controversial goalless draw with Chelsea on Sunday.
It could prove to be Eze’s last appearance as he closes in on a move to Spurs, whilst Liverpool remain interested in Guehi.
Bent added: “Crystal Palace have a really good team, good structure, but they can’t afford to lose Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi.
“That was a big takeaway when you look at their performance, how influential they are to that Palace team.
“I think it would be a travesty if they go. If they both go then, I know Glasner’s a good manager but these are two pieces they can’t afford (to lose).”
Palace next face Norwegian side Fredrikstad on Thursday as they look to reach the Conference League league phase.
Cunha key for United
Matheus Cunha was one of three Premier League debutantes for United in their narrow defeat to Arsenal.
Despite the result, the Brazilian forward impressed for Ruben Amorim’s side at Old Trafford.
It was his first league appearance since signing from Wolves for £62.5million.
Reflecting on his performance, Bent exclaimed: “Cunha (was) absolutely incredible. His performance was really good.
“We’ve seen players go to Man United, put the shirt on and shrink. He’s gone there, game one, ‘give me the ball’.”
Burnley woes
It was a contrast of emotions for fans of promoted outfits Burnley and Sunderland on Saturday.
Whilst the Black Cats romped to a 3-0 win over West Ham, Scott Parker’s side were beaten by the same scoreline at Spurs.
Bent already fears for the Clarets as a result, admitting: “It’s going to be an uphill battle for Burnley because they broke so many records last year.
“They didn’t concede. Three is an anomaly, but to not concede two once in a game last season in a Championship game and all of a sudden, game one, three straight (away) and it could have been worse.
“I looked at Burnley and thought they’ve come in with the right plan I think, be defensively solid. But game one to get beat by three.
“Don’t get me wrong they’ll improve but I think it’ll be a tough, tough order for them to survive.”
Burnley secured an immediate return to the Premier League last season as they finished second in the Championship with 100 points.
They were only denied the title on goal difference by Leeds despite only conceding 16 goals in 46 matches during the campaign.
