Welcome back to the start of the Premier League to all iFan users.

A close season which contained a great Euro Championship with worthy 
winners and sadly more and more greedy prima donnas flirting 
themselves around Europe looking for a bigger pay cheque (as if they 
don't earn too much already)
The behaviour of Ronaldo, Lampard and Adebayor and to a lesser extent 
Barry, was totally appalling and in my book all are guilty of gross 
disloyalty to the clubs that made them what they are.
Then, when they get what they want, they kiss the badge and all is 
sweetness and light. Fans are not stupid and these mercenaries will 
not readily be forgiven.

Well it was quite a weekend, and as always some fans are now excited 
about the season ahead and some already worried, thinking if their 
first result is going to shape the long season ahead.

Got to start with Hull City as they marked their top flight debut 
with a memorable home win in front of 25,000 at the KC Stadium. What 
a start for the Tigers, forecast as everyone's whipping boys this 
term. The passion they showed was immense and their star man was Man 
City reject Giovanni, who will surely relish an extended first team 
run, something he never got across the Pennines. It could be another 
long hard frustrating season for Fulham who performed the veritable 
Houdini act last time. They may not be able to escape like that again 
so things need to improve.

West Brom looked a below Premier League standard outfit at the 
Emirates, a game which only merited 4 minutes on match of the day! 
Below strength Arsenal had new man Sami Nasri to thank for their early 
winner . By all accounts he had a sensational debut and will more 
than compensate the loss of Hleb (yet another who fled for more wages!)

I fear Man City are in for a torrid season. The club is in turmoil 
and more players will probably abandon ship before the end of the 
month for sure. I cannot see Mark Hughes staying for long either. A 
disastrous UEFA result and then a 4-2 reverse at Villa Park. Heaven 
only knows what their owner is about but if he stays out of the 
clutches of his compatriots I hardly think he will be supporting 
Sparky with the much needed funds. Villa could well have a fine 
season with or without Barry. Not sure O'Neill was wise to Euro Cup 
tie him as that will certainly reduce his appeal and value to his 
current suitors.

The most publicised of these is of course Liverpool who also seem to 
be in a total mess behind the scenes and if Rafa continues to be 
undermined he will surely head for the door before too long. They 
once again look like potential under achievers and only because of 
Torres grabbed a lucky three point at Sunderland. Despite being cup 
tied until the new year I still feel Barry will be a Liverpool player 
next week with Alonso (also Euro cup tied) then likely to link up 
with Spanish pal Fabregas at Arsenal. I have to say that Robby 
Keane's switch from Spurs really surprised me, the size of the fee 
was crazy. Sunderland will have an OK middle of the table season with 
their three Spurs acquisitions likely to prove shrewd buys. Nosworthy 
looks a fine defender to me and perhaps "spitting" Diouf will settle 
down under the grip of Keano.

Talking of Spurs, I had them marked down for a great season so their 
reverse at Boro' was a real shock. By all accounts most of the Spurs 
players had shockers so I would not place much on this result . Also 
the Berbatov saga must be unsettling and I guess you Spurs fans would 
love the £30 million United are about to pay for this moody, sulky 
yet brilliant talent. Wheater was outstanding for Boro and how often 
does an old player (Mido) return to haunt their previous employers? 
One thing you can be sure of is that Spurs will finish above Boro'!!

I have Stoke as certainties to go straight back down and their 
drubbing at the Reebok was no surprise at all. I can see little hope 
for them and I cannot see Bolton lighting many fires either, although 
their Toulouse acquisition Elmander looks a good buy at £10million.

Talking of good buys Deco had an absolute blinder for Chelsea who 
look like good bets for the title this season. Even "The Sulk" looked 
a happy bunny upfront and Big Phil may not be over concerned about 
Drogbas absence if he continues to perform. Trouble is we have seen 
it all before with Anelka, a Manager's nightmare. Greedy Frank got 
his regulation penalty (the season's first televised ref howler) and 
as for Portsmouth, well they were still at Wembley. Chelsea though 
are not Cardiff!!

I was really surprised to see Blackburn notch a superb victory at 
Everton. Ince has lost two key players but his spirit and will to win 
reflected in his team. Everton are in a mess and clearly the 
financial worries of a potential ground move are restricting them . 
No transfer activity and spirit low could spell a long painful season 
for you Toffees.
As for Rovers, middle of the table is the best they can hope for but 
they might be a Cup side this season. Ince must hold on to Santa Cruz 
though, he is vital as he proved again at Goodison Park.

So we end up with the current champions who dropped two home points 
against a revitalised Newcastle. United are short of many players 
including the appallingly immature Ronaldo, so we should forgive them 
this early season stumble. Newcastle were excellent and have bought 
brilliantly with Man of the Match Jonas Gutierrez who had a stunning 
game. Coloccini too had a fine game and I can see Newcastle as a top 
six side this season if they continue to play like this . Frustrated 
United had four booked and I would wager that Rooney will be the 
first player to receive two yellows for breaking the new dissent rule.

So my early season predictions are
Chelsea for the title with Man U and Arsenal fighting out second 
place and boringly Liverpool fourth (not much change there I am 
sorry to say)
For the drop
Fulham (like them so sorry Cottagers) Stoke and West Brom.

As last season I shall be back each Premier league week so keep reading!