Premier League talking points as Erik ten Hag looks to avoid another sting

The second round of Premier League games kick off this weekend, with teams looking to build on a positive start or trying to get off the mark.

Manchester United fans will be travelling to Brentford in expectation of a much-improved display following a lacklustre home defeat by Brighton, while former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte takes Tottenham to Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look at the big talking points ahead of the weekend’s fixtures.

Will Red Devils get stung again?

Haaland already looks the real deal

If there was any doubt over whether Erling Haaland could cut it in the hustle and bustle of the English top flight, they were swiftly dispatched as the Norway frontman opened his account with a debut double to sink West Ham. Ominously for the rest of the Premier League, there looks to be plenty more where they came from. New boys Bournemouth will have a spring in their step after beating Aston Villa – but even with the addition of Argentina defender Marcos Senesi, you suspect it will take something extraordinary to prevent Haaland continuing on the goals trail.

Magpies off colour for seaside trip south

The away end at Brighton on Saturday will no doubt be a sea of black and white – but it will be sky blue for the Newcastle players on the pitch. Both of the Magpies’ new kits – navy blue and white for away – have been deemed to be a colour clash with Brighton’s stripes, so the team will instead wear their usual ‘warm-up’ shirt which has a silhouette of St. James’ Park and several city landmarks. If Eddie Howe’s men make it two wins from two by sinking the Seagulls, there could just be a call to give the lucky jerseys another run out for the visit of Manchester City next weekend.

Dreamer Conte back at the Bridge

Already little wriggle room for Reds

Liverpool started their campaign with a 2-2 draw at newly-promoted Fulham – and needed a late goal from Mohamed Salah to salvage a point. While there are plenty more twists and turns ahead, going on past form, the opportunities to make up any lost ground on City are likely to be few and far between. Crystal Palace head to Anfield on Monday night looking to get a first positive result of the campaign after losing at home to Arsenal. Were Patrick Vieira’s well-drilled side to keep Darwin Nunez and the rest of the Reds frontline quiet, the gap at the top could already start to look that little bit more disconcerting.