Player Focus: Youngsters Shine on Opening Weekend of the Premier League

There is little doubt as to the standout result from the opening fixtures of the Premier League, with West Ham usurping Swansea's exploits having taken a point from champions Chelsea with a win over Arsenal at the Emirates.

While a hugely disappointing Gunners debut for Petr Cech - who secured the lowest WhoScored rating of any player in game week 1 (5.04) - made the headlines, the most noteworthy story of the game was the performance of Reece Oxford at the base of the visitors' midfield. The 16-year old academy graduate became the second youngest player ever to start a Premier League game and put in a display of great maturity in North London.

In a 78-minute showing the teenager might not have got through a great deal of work but performed the role asked of him admirably. Oxford had just 28 touches - fewer than any other starting player - but misplaced just 1 of his 19 passes for a game-high accuracy of 94.7%. Not only did he keep the ball ticking over to help relieve the pressure on his side but he also broke up play to great effect in front of the back four, making 3 tackles and 2 interceptions to help towards a rating of 7.29.

However, the Hammers midfielder wasn't the only youngster to impress on a weekend that saw 14 outfielders aged 21 or under earn a start and just 16 over the age of 30 play from the off.

Also making his Premier League bow following a move from Ligue 1 outfit Nice, Jordan Amavi continued his excellent form from last season for new club Aston Villa. The 21-year old left-back's debut wasn't without the odd hairy moment but he stood up to the tough task of keeping out Bournemouth's right-sided pairing of Matt Ritchie and Simon Francis impressively.

The aforementioned Cherries duo played a huge role in Eddie Howe's side's promotion last year and it's clear that Bournemouth plan to keep on utilising the outlet of Ritchie in particular, often switching play quickly to try and leave the winger isolated against Amavi. With 47% of Bournemouth's attacking touches coming down their right flank the young Frenchman stood up to the task, making 5 tackles - one of which denied Callum Wilson a great chance at goal.

In a busy display the full-back had more touches (70) than any teammate, producing 5 interceptions as well as 4 dribbles to alleviate the pressure on his side. With a score of 8.31, Amavi not early earned WhoScored.com's man of the match award but also the highest rating of any player aged 21 or under at the weekend.

Elsewhere Everton and England duo Ross Barkley (7.69) and John Stones (7.45) got off to notable starts despite an ultimately disappointing draw with newly-promoted Watford. The former scored a stunning equaliser to Miguel Layun's early strike having also gone close to netting in the first half, while the latter put in a typically composed display amidst strong interest from Chelsea.

Stones will have been disappointed to dive in to allow Odion Ighalo to get his shot away and restore the Hornets lead late on but aside from that was excellent. The centre-back completed 91% of his 67 pass attempts, won 5 aerial duels and produced 4 tackles and 4 interceptions in a showing that certainly won't have deterred potential suitors.

Elsewhere Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was one of very few Arsenal players to come out of the defeat to West Ham with any credit, despite an error that presented Mauro Zarate with the opportunity to double Bilic's side's lead. The 21-year old did his best to get the Gunners back in the game, mustering 3 shots, 4 key passes and a weekend-high of 9 dribbles for a rating of 7.43, but it was all in vain.

Liverpool debutant Joe Gomez is also worthy of a mention, at 18 immediately taking his place in the Reds' starting XI at Stoke. The former Charlton youngster picked up the assist for Coutinho's match winner having cut in from the left and was solid defensively, producing 3 tackles, 2 interceptions and 7 clearances for a rating of 7.40.

It remains to be seen whether the likes of Oxford and Gomez will retain their places in the starting line-up, but it was certainly a strong start from a number of the Premier League's hot prospects. The stage is set for someone to become this season’s Harry Kane and stake a claim for a young player of the year nomination. At first sight there certainly appears to be plenty of competition.

Which youngsters were you most impressed with in gameweek 1 of the Premier League? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below