The 2018/19 season of the Eredivisie started with a bang, with wonder goals, shocks and controversy across the league.

Zwolle and Heerenveen kicked the season off on the Friday and set the tone for the league in their five goal thriller.

Feyenoord and Ajax suffer European hangover?

Feyenoord and Ajax are tipped to be two of the favourites to win the Eredivisie this season, but neither side could manage a win in their season openers.

Feyenoord were beaten 2-0 by newly promoted De Graafschap, with Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side receiving two red cards. Ajax’s blushes were partially saved thanks to Matthijs de Ligt scoring a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Heracles.

Ajax made four changes ahead of their Champions League qualifier, losing the regular flow and movement expected from them. Erik ten Hag’s side could possibly be found guilty of having one eye on their game with Standard Liege and underestimating Heracles.

Feyenoord seem to have lost a lot of their confidence after their battering in the Europa League by Trencin. Two silly red cards for the Rotterdam side showed a lack of composure from the players that could possibly have come with the frustration of their previous result.

Alongside this, they only had three days between the two games as well as having to travel from Slovakia so this could probably also be to blame.

Champions PSV are ready to defend their title

PSV returned to Eredivisie action with a bang as they eased past Utrecht to a 4-0 win.

On paper, this was a difficult opening tie for PSV, but they made light work of the side that finished fifth last season.

Gaston Pereiro opened the scoring as he curled a beautiful free kick in off the under side of the crossbar, leaving the Utrecht goalkeeper stranded.

Second half goals from Steven Bergwijn, Denzel Dumfries and World Cup star Hiriving Lozano confirmed the victory.

Ajax were the favourites going into the season, but Mark van Bommel’s side clearly mean business once again.

PSV have crucially managed to, so far, fend off any interest for winger Hirving Lozano after catching the eyes of the world after his winning goal against Germany for Mexico.

The newly promoted sides will be no pushover

Fortuna Sittard were the first promoted team to play who drew away at Excelsior in their first Eredivisie game in 16 years.

Excelsior took the lead through a Jurgen Mattheij header, but Sittard equalised after Jorrit Smeets’ second half cross found it’s way into the net.

Excelsior held on for a the point after being reduced to 10 men after the aid of VAR.

It was then the turn of FC Emmen, who faced Den Haag in the clubs first ever Eredivsie game.

Glenn Bijl had the honour of becoming the clubs first ever scorer in the league, a thunderous low strike gave the keeper no chance. This came just before Anco Jansen tucked away a penalty just four minutes later.

Den Haag pulled one back just into the second half but it would prove to be nothing but a consolation as Emmen became the first Eredivisie debutantes to win their first game since 1969.

The biggest result for a promoted side this weekend came from De Graafschap who seemingly had an impossible task against 2016/17 champions Feyenoord.

Much of the focus will go towards the slight turmoil on the pitch for Feyenoord of recent, but De Graafschap certainly deserve praise for a fantastic result.

VAR frequently successful on debut

VAR has been one of the most controversial topics in the world of football today.

The Eredivisie used VAR for the first time this week, this saw decisions such as a red card for Excelsior winger Luigi Bruins sent off after reviewing the incident, with the official originally missing the challenge.

However, controversy did arise after Fran Sol thought he had equalised for Willem II against VVV Venlo.

But his celebrations were halted as the referee reviewed the goal and ruled it out after seeing that the ball hit the Spaniards arm.

The decision has split opinion between fans, some saying that it came off his shoulder whilst others saying that it was correctly ruled out.

Overall VAR was successful, helping referee’s confirm what they originally thought or overturn incorrect decisions, but teething problems with the new system will inevitably continue.

Den Haag need to replace Bjorn Johnsen

After AZ Alkmaar bought Bjorn Johnsen from Den Haag for just over £2 million, many worried as to whether they could replace the Norwegian forward who netted 15 goals for the club last season.

Den Haag’s defeat to FC Emmen highlighted their lack of a high quality striker, with The Hague putting ten of their 18 shots off target.

The solution may be West Bromwich Albion loanee Yuning Zhang who missed this weeks game, but that would certainly mount a lot of pressure onto the 21-year-old’s shoulders.

It must rub salt in the wounds of Den Haag as they see Johnsen scoring on his debut for AZ Alkmaar in an impressive 5-0 win.