David Moyes's Old Trafford debut with Manchester United will come against José Mourinho's Chelsea in a match that stands to fire excitement and intrigue at the very outset next season.
The meeting between the managers that have started new jobs was the headline act from the Premier League’s fixture computer, which did its work for 2013-14 yesterday morning and Moyes, in particular, has been left to consider a tough opening.
The former Everton manager will begin the challenge of succeeding Alex Ferguson and retaining the Premier League title at Swansea City on the weekend of August 17th-18th and, following the home game against Chelsea, he returns to Merseyside to face Liverpool at Anfield.
Then come Crystal Palace at home and Manchester City away. A “lively start” tweeted United defender Rio Ferdinand.
Mind games
There is sure to be a focus on any pre-match mind games from the United or Chelsea camps but Mourinho, who has returned for a second spell at Stamford Bridge, will concern himself with his club's first three away fixtures at United, Everton and Tottenham Hotspur.
Chelsea kick off at home to Hull City and those that seek omens have spotted a positive one. When the club beat Hull at Stamford Bridge on the opening day of 2009, they went on to win the league.
Manchester City and their manager Manuel Pellegrini start at home to Newcastle United and then face promoted Cardiff City (away) and Hull (home) while the focus in north London will be on the Arsenal-Tottenham derby at the Emirates in the games on the weekend of August 31st to September 1st.
Tottenham’s early league season is dominated by derbies, with four of their first seven matches against London opposition – beginning on the opening weekend at promoted Crystal Palace. Guardian Service
