5 Shocking Pre- Season Premier League results

The Premier League campaign is not far away and pre-season is underway for most teams. Many players are feeling like they are still on the beach, while some are putting the training in. Despite this being the time where teams are getting used to being out on the pitch again, results are still looked at.

So where have there been some early pre-season shocks involving Premier League sides so far.

5. Wigan Athletic 1-1 Liverpool 

Now this may be pre-season and rustiness can set in early doors. Yet spending over £43m on two players; you can expect to beat League One teams.

Wigan struggled last season in the Championship, resulting in relegation. While, Liverpool are vying for the Champions League group stage this summer.

Reds boss named two different sides for each half, but still included big names. Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino, Daniel Sturridge and Georginio Wijnaldum all played a part.  However, it was the home side that took the lead with Alex Gilbey scoring from a rebound early on. It took new signing Mohamed Salah to settle the nerves just before half time with a equaliser.

The result is not the worst one you will see in pre-season, but taking into account the players used over the 90 minutes, you would expect the Reds to win with ease.

4. SV Sandhausen 3-2 Huddersfield Town 

The Premier League new boys have been splashing the cash in hopes of staying up this year. On evidence though of this result it might take a little more. Losing and conceding three to second division German side SV Sandhausen won’t have the Terriers with much hope for new campaign.

Head Coach David Wagner rotated his squad to see the depth, with many first team players getting 60 minutes.

The home took the lead through Korbinian Vollmann before half-time and their lead was soon doubled after tap in from SV Sandhausen after good build up play. Four changes for Huddersfield gave them a energy boost and replied with a goal from Rajiv van La Parra.

The Terries defensive concerns were emphasised again though, when a penalty was given away and subsequently dispatched creating a two goal lead for the German side.

Club record fee striker Steve Mounie made the scoreline respectable with a bullet header late on. The result ended though in the home sides favour and highlights the strength in depth isn’t there for Terriers in the long Premier League season ahead.

3. Woking 1-1 Watford

Watford sent a side of youngsters to Non-league Woking, but the result is still not a positive one.

The home side finished 18th in the National League last year, but clearly upped their game for the future players of the Hornets Premier League side.

The visitors scored on 36 minutes through Alex Jakubiak, but conceded soon after with Woking’s and former Watford academy player Bobson Bawling volleying in.

Despite the lack of first team players in the squad, the result demonstrates Watford will be hoping their squad stay injury free as they seem to lack the strength in depth.

2. Arsenal 0-3 Chelsea

Arsenal have brought in players in the summer so far, after listening to the cries of fans. However they might need to invest more looking at this result.

Despite playing a basically full strength side the Gunners were outclassed in Beijing. Chelsea, however, looked much the same side that won the Premier League title only months ago.

A brace from Mitchy Bashuayi and a superb curling effort from Willian showed Chelsea’s dominance of the match. Arsenal rarely threatened, even with £45m striker Alexander Lacazette up front.

Arsene Wenger needs to go back to the drawing board after this lacklusture performance, if his side are to compete for the Premier League title.

1. AFC Wimbledon 3-2 Watford 

This is what pre season is all about. Your Premier League side with millionaires in the line up strolling up to a lower league club thinking it is going to be easy. Well Watford got a shock.

A strong line up including: Heurelho Gomes Daryl Janmaat, Etienne Capoue and Nordin Amrabat couldn’t defeat League One AFC Wimbledon.

The home side took the lead with quick fire goals from Cody Mcdonald on 46 and 49 minutes. Watford fought back with FA Cup winner Ben Watson converting a cross from just inside the box. Winger Steven Berghuis then made it level going into the last ten minutes.

There was late drama though as substitute Alfie Egan scored from close-range, handing the Dons a 3-2 victory.

New Head Coach Marco Silva will be rethinking his squad after this embarrassing early pre-season defeat.

 

 

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