Premier League big guns make impressive starts

Many considered this season's Premier League a two-horse race between champions Manchester City and Liverpool and convincing victories for the pair in their opening fixtures on Sunday saw bookmakers tightening them up at the top of the market.

The classy Citizens got their Premier League title defence off to the perfect start with a deserved 2-0 victory over Unai Emery’s Arsenal at the Emirates, while Liverpool, fourth last season, ran riot against new-look West Ham, winning 4-0 at Anfield.

Raheem Sterling’s 14th-minute strike got the champions on their way in the capital before Bernardo Silva’s controlled finish just after the hour mark added some gloss to a professional performance.

Pep Guardiola started with last season's key men Kevin De Bruyne, Vincent Kompany, Leroy Sane and Gabriel Jesus on the bench, highlighting City’s strength in depth, and their smooth success saw bet365 trim their title odds to 8-13 from 4-6.

The Gunners showed some positive signs under their new boss but still looked vulnerable defensively. They are best-priced 33-1 for the Premier League title and 2-1 with Sky Bet to break back into the top four.

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, 4-1 second favourites for the Premier League earlier in the day, outclassed West Ham with goals from Mohamed Salah, Daniel Sturridge and a brace from Sadio Mane after which Betfair and Paddy Power cut their title odds to 16-5.

Salah, who landed a touch at 66-1 to win the Golden Boot in his debut season, opened the scoring and he is as short as 10-3 to retain his crown. Harry Kane remains the 3-1 favourite despite firing a blank at Newcastle on Saturday.

Liverpool were the only team to go unbeaten in the league on home soil last season and their rout of respected opposition saw bet365 go 12-1 that they avoid Premier League defeat again at Anfield.

It is 12-1 bar the big two with Manchester United leading the chasing pack. Chelsea are 14-1 following their 3-0 victory at Huddersfield, with Tottenham 16-1.

Southampton and Burnley played out a goalless draw at St Mary’s. Both sides had their relegation odds trimmed following their stalemate, with Saints 5-1 for the drop with bet365 and Clarets 7-2 with the same firm.

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