Maybe they’ll beat the drop this time! It’s far too early to make any meaningful prediction for the new Premier League season, but if we had to do so based on Fulham’s opening weekend clash with title-chasing Liverpool, we’d say that this team has decent chances of playing in the English top division in two successive seasons.The Cottagers led twice against their much-fancied visitors thanks to their talismanic striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, but twice Jurgen Klopp’s men managed to draw level, through new boy Darwin Nunez and old gold Mohamed Salah. It ended 2-2 at Craven Cottage, leaving the home team’s fans optimistic about their season. They showed good, mature football against a superior team and looked dangerous throughout. What they’ll have to improve is their defence.Their visitors might feel like they’ve dropped two points in the title race already, but it would have been far too cynical at such an early stage of the season. Nunez hit the ground running – and that’s something at least.Mitrovic, the man who scored 43 Championship goals for the Cottagers last season, made the home side’s early pressure count by outjumping Trent Alexander-Arnold and planting a firm header past Marek Rodak, who was playing ahead of the newly-signed Bernd Leno.There was only ever going to be one MOTM… 🥇Aleksandar Mitrović starting this season how he finished his last! 💥 pic.twitter.com/SSwOSSoD8I— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) August 6, 2022 Fulham’s lead after half-hour of play was no less than what Silva’s team deserved. Liverpool looked utterly lost in the London sunshine and failed to register a shot on target in the entire first half, despite holding the vast majority of possession. Their best chance to get off the mark came just before the break when Luis Diaz hit the post.Klopp saw that changes were needed, so he handed the new signing Darwin Nunez a chance to show what he’s got. After missing his first chance, the Uruguayan managed to steer a Salah right-wing cross in the net with a classy backheel finish.There were around 30 minutes left to play, and the Reds looked like the team with all the momentum. Still, the other team had the fantastic Serbian international, keen to show everyone that he’s not just a Championship but an elite goalscorer. Mitrovic made Virgil Van Dijk look silly in the box, and the Dutchman fouled the former Newcastle and Anderlecht man. The ref pointed to the spot, and Mitrogol himself powered the resulting penalty past Alisson Becker to restore the Londoners’ lead with 20 minutes to go.But Fulham’s defence started to buckle under the Red attacking waves and Salah added a goal to his assist by slamming into the net to level once more. Mitrovic’s disappointment was caught on camera, as the Serbia international wondered just what more he has to do for his team to beat Liverpool.Neither team could find the winning goal in the remaining 10 minutes, and it’s probably for the best because neither side deserved to lose.PREMIER LEAGUE – Matchday 1FridayCrystal Palace – Arsenal 0-2 (0-1)/Martinelli 20, Guehi 85 og/SaturdayFulham – Liverpool 2-2 (1-0)/Mitrovic 32, 72 pen – Nunez 64, Salah 80/17.00: (1.40) Tottenham (4.90) Southampton (9.00)17.00: (1.70) Newcastle (3.80) Nott.Forest (5.70)17.00: (2.35) Leeds (3.25) Wolverhampton (3.40)17.00: (3.90) Bournemouth (3.40) Aston Villa (2.10)19.30: (5.70) Everton (3.80) Chelsea (1.70)Sunday16.00: (2.05) Leicester (3.60) Brentford (3.80)16.00: (1.57) Man.Utd. (4.00) Brighton (7.00)18.30: (9.50) West Ham (5.50) Man.City (1.35)***odds are subject to change
