The English Premier League Starts Today

At 1245 BST August 16th 2008, The new EPL season begins, that means kicking off nine months of entertainment and top-class action from the most exciting league in the world.

It is being 97 days after Manchester United celebrated their 10th Premier League crown.

In first match Arsenal take on West Brom. As well as the Baggies, fellow promoted teams Stoke and Hull are in action too, against Bolton and Fulham respectively.

Man Utd and last year’s runners-up Chelsea start their seasons on Sunday.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s United host Kevin Keegan’s Newcastle at Old Trafford, while Chelsea entertain last season’s FA Cup winners Portsmouth at Stamford Bridge.

You can see the detailed fixture here.

Follow the highlights here in eplmatches.com.
You can watch the highlights here right after the match.

Transfer Summary

United, though heavily linked with Tottenham’s Dimitar Berbatov, have failed to sign anyone during the summer, while Chelsea have splashed out nearly £25m on Portuguese duo Deco and Jose Bosingwa.

United will be relieved to start the season with Cristiano Ronaldo still in their ranks after speculation linking him with Real Madrid, though he is out until September with an ankle injury.

Arsenal have added French youngster Samir Nasri and Welsh teenager Aaron Ramsey to their squad, while Liverpool have spent £20m on signing Republic of Ireland striker Robbie Keane from Tottenham.

Spurs have been big spenders themselves, signing goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes, midfielders David Bentley and Luka Modric and forward Giovani dos Santos for about £43m combined.

Manchester City spent a club record £18m on Brazilian striker Jo, while Bolton (Johan Elmander, £10m), Hull (Anthony Gardner, £2.5m), Stoke (Dave Kitson, £5.5m) and Portsmouth (Peter Crouch, £11m) have all smashed their transfer records.

Something Interesting

Hull begin their first-ever season in the top flight of English football after a 104-year wait and boss Phil Brown has been busy adding to his squad, with a further seven names joining Gardner at the KC Stadium.

Stoke, who begin their first term in the top flight for 23 years, have been more circumspect in the transfer market, with Seyi George Olofinjana and Thomas Sorensen joining Kitson as their new arrivals.

The other promoted team, West Brom, will be aiming to cement their place in the Premier League under Tony Mowbray after they were relegated in 2006.