Vanhalen 0 Report post Posted June 24, 2004 Nice easy start to the season for Norwich Jose Mourinho faces a tough start to his career as Chelsea manager with a home clash against Manchester United to start the new season on 14 August. Champions Arsenal open the defence of their title with a trip to Everton. There will also be a meeting of new managers when Jacques Santini's Spurs face Liverpool, now managed by ex-Valencia coach Rafael Benitez. Promoted Norwich open their campaign at home to fellow new boys Crystal Palace, while West Brom face Blackburn away. The Canaries will hope to open up life in the top flight with three points before they face a daunting run of matches against Manchester United, Newcastle and Arsenal. And after their record-breaking campaign in 2003/04, the Gunners will be aiming to travel to Carrow Road with another notch in their belt. If the champions remain unbeaten at Everton and in their two home games against Middlesbrough and Blackburn they will eclipse Nottingham Forest's top-flight record of 42 consecutive games unbeaten. Arsene Wenger's side must wait until 23 October before testing their mettle against any potential title rivals when they travel to Old Trafford. They face trips to Tottenham and Liverpool before meeting Chelsea at Highbury on 11 December. The return match between London's premier teams comes at the back end of the season in late April, four days after the Blues face their return fixture against Manchester United. And after a hard start to the season, Mourinhio's men end their campaign at Newcastle United. The Portuguese coach learnt his management skills under Magpies boss Sir Bobby Robson as his assistant at Sporting Lisbon, Porto and Barcelona. Barclays Premiership opening weekend fixtures: Aston Villa v Southampton Blackburn v West Brom Bolton v Charlton Chelsea v Man Utd Everton v Arsenal Man City v Fulham Middlesbrough v Newcastle Norwich v Crystal Palace Portsmouth v Birmingham Tottenham v Liverpool Saturday, 21 August 2004 Arsenal v Middlesbrough Birmingham v Chelsea Charlton v Portsmouth Crystal Palace v Everton Fulham v Bolton Liverpool v Man City Man Utd v Norwich Newcastle v Tottenham Southampton v Blackburn West Brom v Aston Villa Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
