EPL Review: Haaland won't win the Golden Boot, Sunderland to go down?

Five lessons from EPL GW1: United’s struggles, promoted sides’ fight, Chelsea as Arsenal’s rivals and Haaland’s race.

Erling Haaland revealed his clean shave ahead of the weekend fixtures, and we have joined lots of people in believing that the Norwegian striker won't stroll to the Golden Boot this season. (Photo credit: Sky Sports)

Chelsea beat Fulham at Craven Cottage to wrap up the first game week of the 2026/2027 season. It wasn't a win until the final whistle, as the hosts took the game to the Blues.

We learned a few things from the first round of Premier League games this season. The excitement we expected came through, but some teams must enter the transfer market before it closes, or they must be ready to endure an underwhelming season.

Lesson 1: Manchester United will struggle this season.

That didn't come out right for Manchester United fans. Many of them were on cloud nine at the end of last season; the good run to the finish line got them thinking they could have won the title if they fired Ruben Amorim earlier, but the reality of things is beginning to dawn on them.

The loss to Hull City doesn't really define an entire season. It's a marathon, not a sprint, but the squad United currently has can't compete with most teams in the league. With Champions League football at Old Trafford this season, United needs more than Carlos Baleba to compete.

United is fine in the goalkeeping department for now. The defense is in shambles and not worthy of a proper title challenge. The midfield might be fine with Baleba coming in, but the forward line is toothless. This Manchester United isn't going anywhere.

Lesson 2: Bookies might be wrong on their relegation picks.

Check every bookmaker's prediction; they all have Ipswich and Hull City on their list as relegation favorites. This is not to say they won't go down, but on the evidence of their opening day results, we might see the two clubs again in the top flight next season.

Make no mistake; it's still early days. The Tigers took Manchester United to the cleaners despite having key players out, while the Tractor Boys silenced Sunderland with a strong performance. It's going to be an interesting season.

Lesson 3: Chelsea is the only clear challenge to Arsenal?

We won't get tired of throwing in the caveat; it's still early days, but from what game week 1 taught us, there's no worthy challenger for the title this season outside the reigning champions and the Blues.

Arsenal has the best squad in the league. Chelsea fumbled and wobbled over the line on Monday night, but you could see Xabi Alonso's style and what he wants to do. With a fit squad and playing one game a week, they could stretch Arsenal until the end.

Lesson 4: Brighton, Sunderland, and Villa to endure a torrid season.

The fourth lesson might be strange, considering how Brighton decimated Aston Villa in the first half of their event on Sunday, but both are among the teams that will struggle due to European involvement this season.

Aston Villa already showed us what we expected. Nico Gonzalez will join from Manchester City, and Rafael Leao could join too from AC Milan, but it won't stop them from struggling to cope with fixtures. Expect the same for Brighton and Sunderland, with the Black Cats the most endangered of the trio.

Lesson 5: Haaland won't boss the golden boot race this time.

This has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that Erling Haaland blanked in game 1, and it has nothing to do with the fact that he took off his hair. It is simply down to the current dynamics of Manchester City and how we expect other teams to shape up this season.

Joao Pedro will rival the big Norwegian this season. A couple others from other grounds will too, but if you're expecting Haaland to blow the rest of the league out of the water again, it won't happen.