The Sunday Mail
ZIMBABWE Warriors’ defender Jordan Zemura made his long-awaited debut in the English Premier League (EPL) as Bournemouth marked a successful return to the elite club with a 2-0 victory over Marvelous Nakamba’s Aston Villa at the Vitality Stadium yesterday.
However, Nakamba was not in yesterday’s match-day squad.
It was the Cherries fourth straight win over Aston Villa, as goals from Jefferson Lerma and Kieffer Moore ensured the newly promoted side returned in style.
Many had predicted that Bournemouth would struggle this campaign, especially after Scott Parker labelled his squad “light” ahead of the opening weekend.
However, his rallying cry about the transfer window seemingly motivated his players, who took the lead two minutes into their top-flight return.
Having seen the visitors fail to deal with a corner, Lerma scored the fastest ever goal for a newly promoted team, striking into the roof of the net from inside the area.
In response, Villa’s sluggish play fashioned little opportunity in the first half, although John McGinn flashed an effort haplessly wide from range, whilst Danny Ings also tamely headed over.
Despite dominating the ball on the South coast, an uninspiring showing continued in the second half, where Steven Gerrard’s outfit lacked the attacking flair and quality to fashion any real chances.
Bournemouth would ensure the points, and the first win without Eddie Howe as boss, when Moore headed home in the 80th minute.
Still credit should go to Zemura and his fellow defenders Lloyd Kelly, Chris Mepham and Adam Smith, as the quartet worked tirelessly to ensure that Bournemouth kept a clean sheet on their return.
Operating on the left flank, as part of a 4-2-3-1 formation, the 22-year-old Zemura made full use of his 90 minutes to hog the limelight.
Earlier on, Jurgen Klopp admitted Liverpool deserved no more than a 2-2 draw against newly-promoted Fulham in a pulsating start to their Premier League season.
Aleksandar Mitrovic twice put the impressive hosts ahead, but Darwin Nunez came off the bench to make a huge impact on his Premier League debut.
The Uruguayan, who arrived at Anfield in a deal that could rise to 100 million euros (US$102 million) from Benfica, flicked home to level at 1-1 and then teed-up Mohamed Salah for an equaliser 10 minutes from time.
Liverpool’s season had got off to a flying start by getting the better of Manchester City to win the Community Shield in what was billed as an early showdown between the two title contenders.
However, the Reds were punished for a sluggish performance in the first hour in what could prove a costly concession of two points.
“The best thing about the game was the result,” said Klopp.
EPL Results and Fixtures
Friday
Crystal Palace 0-2 Arsenal
Saturday
Fulham 2-2 Liverpool
Bournemouth 2-0 Aston Villa
Leeds 2-1 Wolves
Newcastle 2-0 Nottingham
Tottenham 4-1 Southampton
Everton 0-1 Chelsea
Fixtures
Leicester v Brentford 3pm
Man u v Brighton 3pm
