This archive report was first published on 10 August 2019.
The 2019-20 Premier League season is underway, and fans are eager to see the action unfold. Published on August 10, 2019, the season's opening match saw Liverpool thrash Norwich 4-1, with Divock Origi delivering a fine low cross that was turned in by Norwich's Grant Hanley for an own goal.
Mohamed Salah opened his account for the season with a close-range effort, followed by Virgil Van Dijk's headed goal in the 28th minute. Origi capped the day for the Reds with a fine header late in the first half, giving the home side a 4-0 lead at half-time.
However, Norwich came back stronger in the second half and managed to pull one back. As the season kicks off in style, fans need to be aware of the changes that have been made and will most likely affect the teams they support.
Here are the new rules to watch out for:
- Goal kicks: Defenders can now enter the 18-yard box and collect the ball after the goal kick has been taken.
- Penalties: Goalkeepers are forbidden from standing behind the goal line, touching the frame of the goal or net, and moving from side to side to put off the penalty taker.
- Substitutions: Players who have been hooked will exit the field of play at any point to avoid time-wasting, especially in the dying minutes of a game.
- Handballs: If a player unintentionally scores a goal with their hand, the goal doesn't count, as intent is no longer considered in handballs.
- Walls: Attacking players are forbidden from joining the opponent's wall during fouls, and must stay a metre away or be penalised.
- VAR: The technology will only be used in game-changing and unclear situations, such as goals, mistaken identity, and missed offences.
- Drop balls: Drop balls have been scrapped, and teams last in possession before play was stopped will retake possession and decide for themselves whether to give it back or not.
