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The Premier League returned this afternoon with 6 games all kicking-off across the country.

Known for it’s surprises, the opening day of the 2012/2013 season was no different. After a squad overhaul, expectations were high at Loftus Road, and with the visit of Swansea, QPR had a great opportunity to get three points on the board. However, Michael Laudrup’s Swansea side had other plans, with new signing Michu scoring a brace, Nathan Dyer also claiming a brace and Scott Sinclair bagging a fifth goal to seal an emphatic victory for the swans. Mark Hughes was left disgruntled after a disappointing start to the season. QPR 0 – 5 Swansea

Elsewhere in London, Martin Jol’s Fulham side were evidently eager to get their season started with swagger, with Damien Duff,  Alexander Kacaniklic and Steven Sidwell all scoring and new signing Mladen Petric bagging himself a brace. Chris Hughton’s Norwich simply could not impose themselves in midfield and suffered a telling loss. Fulham 5 – 0 Norwich

A new era at Anfield was ushered in by the appointment of Brendan Rodgers as manager. However, a trip to the Hawthorns to face Steve Clark’s West Bromwich Albion proved difficult for Rodgers and his Liverpool side. A goal before the break from Zoltan Gera placed West Brom firmly in the driving seat, and matters got worse for Liverpool as Daniel Agger was sent off in the 57th minute. Shane Long missed the resulting penalty, but this was soon amended as Peter Odemwingie struck 5 minutes later and loan signing from Chelsea, Romelu Lukaku, rounded out a fantastic win with a third. West Bromwich Albion 3 – 0 Liverpool

At Upton Park, West Ham returned to the Premier League with a win over Aston Villa, with Kevin Nolan scoring the winner just before the break. Reading’s return to the Premier League was not so glorious, as they conceded in the first half with Michael Kightly scoring on his debut for Stoke. However, the Royals rallied and earned themselves a penalty, with Adam Le Fondre converting from the spot in the 90th minute. Arsenal began life without Robin Van Persie with a goalless draw against Sunderland, whose resolute defense never looked like conceding. West Ham 1 – 0 Aston Villa, Reading 1 – 1 Stoke, Arsenal 0 – 0 Sunderland

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So what have we learnt from this afternoon’s action? Have any players in particular stood out for you?

With Premier League spending reaching £490 million it is easy to think that this summers transfer window was marked by the big money signings like Eden Hazard and Robin Van Persie.

While both players look set to be worth the significant outlay, looking through the list of transfers this summer there has been a number of shrewd signings that haven’t broke the bank.

In fact even some of the more significant transfers have been done relatively cheaply. The likes of Jan Vertonghen, Hugo Lloris, Lukas Podolski, Shinji Kagawa, and Marko Marin have all been near enough to the £10 million mark. And lets not forget about others such as Clint Dempsey and Adam Johnson. Few would argue against any of these players being good investements and great value for money.

Then we have the free transfers. Steven Naismith, Mladen Petric, and Hugo Rodellega look to be good acquisitions as free transfers go.

The big  money moves will take the headlines but the cheaper transfers can be just as effective. Below are three players who could be the bargain’s of the summer.

Dimitar Berbatov

Officially the Bulgarian moved for an undisclosed fee, although it is thought he cost the Cottagers around £5 million. Berbatov had been on the periphery at Old Trafford but there is no doubt he still has something to offer the Premier League. The obvious criticisms about the strikers attitude and work rate remain but he is a wonderfully gifted football and guarantees goals. If he can recapture the form he showed under Martin Jol at Spurs he will be a great signing for Fulham.

Michu

The early signs would suggest that at £2 million, the Spaniard could be one of the signings of the season. Having scored three goals in two games Michu looks as if he will continue to get goals from midfield having registered 15 for Rayo Vallecano last season. There is more to his game, he is technically very good and given the transfer fee looks to be an inspired signing by Michael Laudrup.

Pavel Pogrebnyak

Scoring goals is so often a problem for newly promoted teams so securing the services of the Russian on a  free transfer is a good piece of business. Pogrebnyak has proved he can cut it in the Premier League with six goals in 12 games for Fulham last season and if he can replicate that form over the course of the season he will be crucial to Reading’s survival chances. With promotion to the Premier League reportedly worth £90 million, this free signing could potentially be a fantastic return.

Norwich drew for the third game in succession and remain winless under Chris Hughton after playing out an entertaining goalless draw with West Ham at Carrow Road.

The Canaries had taken a share of the spoils in their last two fixtures following the opening day hammering at the hands of Fulham and were hoping to take maximum points for the first time season at Sam Allardyce’s expense.

And Hughton should have been celebrating his first victory since taking over from Paul Lambert in the summer but saw his side pass up a number of gilt-edged opportunities during the 90 minutes.

They were indebted early on to Russell Martin for keeping the scores level after clearing Carlton Coles header off the line before goalkeeper John Ruddy repelled Kevin Nolan’s close range effort from Joey O’Brien’s cut back. Robert Snodgrass, Grant Holt, Sebastien Bassong & Andrew Surman were then denied by a combination of Jussi Jaaskelainen and the Hammers defence in a frantic bout of penalty area pingball.

Surman then thought he’d won a penalty for Norwich as the game approached half time after he was felled by a rash challenge from James Collins on the edge of the penalty area but referee Chris Foy correctly awarded a free kick. The Canaries continued to apply pressure after the break with Jaaskelainen tipping Simeon Jacksons stinging strike over the bar. Substitute Matt Jarvis then smashed an effort well over for West Ham whilst Collins headed just over with three minutes remaining.

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But they could have been heading back to East London with nothing to show for their endeavours only for youngster Harry Kane to squander a glorious chance two minutes into added time. The Tottenham loanee was played in by Snodgrass on the break but showed his inexperience tamely shooting straight at Jaaskelainen.

Liverpool will be hoping their mini-revival has not been halted by their midweek defeat as the welcome Stoke City to Anfield on Sunday.

Brendan Rodgers was critical of his sides defending after he watched his side lose a thriller, 2-3 at home to Udinese in the Europa League on Thursday night.

Worryingly for Rodgers, his side has kept just one clean sheet since the opening weekend of the season, coming in a Europa League game at Hearts.

Stoke City recorded their first win of the Premier League campaign last time out, with Peter Crouch scoring both in a 2-0 win over Swansea.

Crouch is expected to start against his former club, whilst another former Liverpool striker Michael Owen will be hoping to make an impact from the bench.

Rodgers has no new injury concerns ahead of the fixture, and could stick with the same team that won so convincingly at Norwich last weekend. This could mean recalls to the starting line up for teenagers Andre Wisdom, Raheem Sterling and Suso, who were all rested for Thursday’s game.

Luis Suarez is set to continue leading the line, currently in sensational form. A wonderful free kick on Thursday night added to his superb hat trick at Norwich last Saturday.

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Glen Whelan has not been ruled out despite being substituted last weekend, whilst Charlie Adam is another who should feature against his former club despite having been suffering with a shoulder problem.

Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Stoke City

Following claims from Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers that Luis Suarez is haunted by his reputation as a diver, I ask who is left in football who doesn’t dive?

Most footballers will now go down under contact from even the slightest touches especially in the Premier League and I can’t help but think we have to stop getting caught up in a diving debate. Football has moved on for better or worse.

Two weeks ago in Manchester City’s draw with Arsenal, Sergio Aguero was praised for his decision to not go down under pressure from Laurent Koscielny. Yet many observers believe had the Argentine left his feet, the Premier League champions would have earned a penalty. At a time when many football fans will see and accept players leaving their feet under contact and footballers who don’t leave their feet under pressure, can be praised and patronised in equal measure being described as “too honest”, can people still really get infuriated by diving?

Many still clamour for three game bans and extensive suspensions for those who clearly attempt to con a referee but now more than ever spotting a dive is a task on its own. Players have become so cunning in their movement and anticipating contact that I believe the era of the blatant dive is beyond us.

To go back to the Uruguayan frontman is it not possible for incidents to not contain fouls but also not warrant a booking for simulation? Suarez sprang to floor ahead of an on-coming challenge from John O’Shea and was cautioned. Slow-motion replays showed the 25 year old was clipped by O’Shea. In this scenario I believe that Suarez didn’t deserve a yellow card but then the award of penalty would be harsh. Here I believe you see the “grey area” and ambiguity that makes punishing diving almost an impossibility. So often you see what are described as ‘soft’ penalties being given. What constitutes a foul has become so subjective; I believe determining a dive is extremely similar.

To finish referring back to Rodgers’s point those like Suarez who are known as divers and don’t get decisions because of that should reap what they sow but the idea of the FA or UEFA punishing players extensively for simulation is idealistic. Football now exists in an era where players benefit greatly from leaving their feet regularly and do so for that reason. The incidents are too often and too subjective to police any further.

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Follow me on Twitter: @jimmylowson

Genoa defender Andreas Granqvist has admitted that he is flattered by speculation linking him with a switch to Liverpool.

The Sweden international has been touted as a potential transfer target for the Merseyside club, who are expected to try to bolster their contingent in the January transfer window.

Granqvist moved to the Serie A side from Dutch club Groningen in 2011 for £2 million, and has thoroughly impressed for his new employers.

The Scandinavian stopper was linked with a move to a bigger club in the summer, with Lazio, AC Milan and Inter all hot on the heels of the centre-back.

However, it is now Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool side that are being touted as potential suitors, which Granqvist takes as a complement.

“Honestly, I don’t know much about this interest. I am focused on Sweden’s World Cup qualifiers and then we’ll see what happens,” Granqvist told Sportbladet, translated to English by Metro.

“I am happy in Genoa, but obviously I am flattered by the interest from the Reds. They are an historic and successful club.”

Granqvist knows the English game well after spending 18 months with Wigan back in 2007 and 2008, with limited effect.

Despite failing to make a favourable impression with the Latics and only stepping out for the DW Stadium side 14 times, Granqvist has revitalised his career abroad and is now an accomplished international defender.

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Granqvist was part of the Sweden Euro 2012 squad, and faced England in the tournament in Ukraine and Poland; the Three Lions won the game 3-2.

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini will reportedly not find his job under threat despite the arrival of two former colleagues of Pep Guardiola who is currently on ‘sabbatical.’

This is according to club sources who have moved to quash the growing rumours after the appointments of Barcelona’s former technical director Txiki Begiristain and Ferran Soriano as manager Mancini finds himself under increasing fire as the season progresses.

With Guardiola being one of the most highly rated managers in the sport all managers will be looking over their shoulders, but Mancini is safe according to ESPN who claim they have been told “Roberto has won three trophies in two-and-a-half years and was given a new five-year contract in the summer, and that would not have happened if the powers that be thought they had the wrong manager.”

The Daily Mail have even claimed that the Italian is “optimistic” about the latest appointments, being “relieved” that Brian Marwood is now academy director and will be far less involved in every day dealings at the club.

Elsewhere Mancini has appealed to fans to give the club some time and be patient despite the less than stellar start to the season saying “all teams need their supporters for 90 minutes” after being booed off the field at half time in their Premier League clash.

The Italian conceded that “we won the title last season but we need to work, we need to improve, to learn other things,” yet felt that three trophies in such a short space of time entitled his team to some leeway from fans and the press.

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Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud has revealed that he has set himself a target of achieving 15 Premier League goals this season, as he aims to fire the Gunners to success.

The former Montpellier ace has started to hit some form of late scoring his 6th goal of the season against Fulham on the weekend.

However, the French centre forward feels it is important that he pushes on his individual game and starts hitting the back of the net more often.

The £12 million signing feels that he has settled into a rhythm and that he can help the fans forget about the influence of Robin Van Persie by having a similar impact of his own.

Giroud spoke to the Daily Mirror adding: “Last year, I scored 21 goals in the league and only one of them was with my head, but it’s true that I’m getting a lot more crosses here.

“I’m trying to build an understanding with my new team-mates and we are getting to know each other more and more.

“I’d be happy to get between 12 and 15 goals in the league this season. I am confident about my qualities.

“I never give up. When I didn’t score at the beginning of the season, I stayed confident, and I always work on my mind and my game. So it’s not a surprise for me.

“But I want to play a lot of good games and to win a lot of games with my new club. I have to score and to continue.”

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Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini insisted he was happy with his team’s 2-0 Premier League win over Wigan, despite the below par performance of his side.

The Sky Blues came away from the scrappy affair with all three points after some tactical tinkering from the Italian.

He brought off star striker Sergio Aguero for full-back Aleksandar Kolarov in what initially appeared to be a defensive move.

However, City went on to take the lead and eventually the win.

Mancini explained his reasoning for his decision after the game and praised his team for grinding out a positive result:

“Wigan play with three defenders and two in the channels. I wanted to put players in the same positions as them and when we changed it, we scored the first goal. After that, the match changed.” He told SkySports.

“I am happy. We didn’t play very well in the first half, we know Wigan are a good team. They play good football. We knew this before the game.

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“When we have played against Wigan it has been a difficult match because they play very well.”

Mario Balotelli gave the champions the lead after showing persistence in the Wigan area, before James Milner smashed home a second late on.

Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted that Jose Mourinho is one of the rare few able to pick up the reigns at Manchester United in the Premier League, after the Scotsman’s inevitable retirement.

After entering the coaching world at an early age for his local youth team – acting as assistant manager at Estrela da Amadora and then scouting for Ovarense – the turning point in Mourinho’s illustrious career came as translator for Bobby Robson’s Sporting Lisbon, Porto and Barcelona.

Since such humble beginnings the Portuguese has won 21 trophies in the space of 10 years as manager of Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid.

Speaking to ITV4, Ferguson stated that Mourinho could manage any team in the world, but ceased to make any “forecasts on what is going to happen at this club [United].”

“I would never think a guy who hasn’t played a game could be a top coach, but then you’ve got to look at his personality, I think his personality does it,” said Ferguson.

“He’s got a marvellous, strong personality and I think that bridges that gap.”

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Meanwhile, Mourinho hasn’t been shy about his desire to return to the Premier League, stating that, “In my whole career everything was perfect, the only thing I didn’t do, and I hope I can do it one day, is to win a Champions League with an English club.”