So that was the Premier League Summer Series.
How was it for you?
This SBOTOP writer took a mild interest, particularly with his beloved Manchester United involved. But what did it count for?
Well, as competitions go, I’m already on record as saying the results are secondary with the priority for any football manager at this stage to bed in new signings, implement any tactical changes and boost players’ fitness with the big kick-off firmly on the horizon.
So, while it’s well worth studying our Premier League 2025 betting odds before the real action begins in earnest in just under a fortnight’s time, I’d hesitate to base your bets on this competition alone.
Success in America this past week, though, will have done no harm for confidence.
That American fans – and supporters who follow their clubs around the world – got to see United, Everton, West Ham and Bournemouth in three impressive stadiums across the US is also a win.
The final two matches of the tournament on Sunday night were played out in quick succession and it was Bournemouth and West Ham who had their Stateside swansong first.
For the Cherries, there had been one comprehensive victory and one comprehensive defeat as they saw off Everton in New Jersey, scoring three second-half goals in 14 minutes without reply, before being second best in their second outing when they were defeated 4-1 by United.
West Ham, meanwhile, had gone down narrowly to United before seeing off Everton.
One man who was not in West Ham’s squad, but who I think will be a useful addition, is Callum Wilson whose transfer was confirmed at the weekend.
The 33-year-old free agent left Newcastle at the end of last season after failing to agree a new deal. He was limited to just 18 Premier League appearances last term and fell behind Alexander Isak in the pecking order.
However, Wilson, who passed a medical with the Hammers on Saturday and has signed an initial season-long deal, will be a fine addition if he can stay fit.
This is a player who netted 47 times in 113 top-flight appearances during five seasons in the north-east following a £20 million move from Bournemouth in 2020.
He also won nine England caps between 2018 and 2023.
Perhaps he can form a partnership with Niclas Fullkrug. The German was a player I thought would shine when he moved to the Hammers last summer and, for a variety of reasons, it never really happened.
Now a couple of goals in this tournament have made me think this could be his season.
He netted the opener in a 2-0 success against Bournemouth before Jarrod Bowen added a second midway through the second half.
Fullkrug converted Bowen’s pass from close range and the latter then doubled the advantage, volleying home a cross from new recruit El Hadji Malick Diouf’s left-wing cross.
Again, not too much can be read into results in pre-season and Bournemouth will know it may have been different as Andoni Iraola’s Cherries had their moments but couldn’t take advantage, particularly when Evanilson squandered a golden opportunity, hitting the post when it was easier to score from a sublime Marcus Tavernier delivery.
The second match in Atlanta on Sunday – and final encounter of the tournament – pitted together two giants from the North West.
My colleague suggested last week that the Red Devils could be finding that winning formula and, while I am not convinced, I truly hope he is correct in his assessment.
United, who handed new signing Bryan Mbeumo a debut, were good value for the 19th minute lead they took via a Bruno Fernandes penalty.
They easily could have been behind by then, though, with young defender Jake O’Brien hitting a post 10 minutes earlier.
After some good saves from Jordan Pickford prevented United from doubling their advantage, the Merseysiders drew level five minutes before the break when Iliman Ndiaye applied the finishing touch after United cheaply lost possession.
Into the second period and Everton, who enjoyed a fair few Premier League 2025 highlights last season once David Moyes returned to the hot seat, were the better side and came close to taking the lead on a few occasions shortly after the restart.
Despite that, United regained the lead with 21 minutes remaining when skipper Fernandes slipped the ball into the path of Mason Mount and the substitute bent his effort around the defender and into the far corner of the net.
The lead was short-lived though and Everton deservedly drew level for a second time when young defender Ayden Heaven’s attempted clearance struck team-mate Amad Diallo and found the corner of the net.
That was how it stayed which was enough for United to be crowned tournament winners and earn a cool £7 million in the process.
Now for the real deal.
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