It’s a dream debut — Dede Ayew
A unique family history was recorded in the English Premier League last Saturday as Ghana’s Ayew brothers, Andre and Jordan, made their debut for their respective clubs after this season moves from the French Ligue 1.
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By starting for Swansea and Aston Villa respectively, the almost inseperable duo became the first set of brothers to make their Premiership debuts on the same day, since its inception in 1992.
They, however, ended up with two contrasting tales — a sterling start for the older brother, Andre, while the younger Jordan’s debut could pass for anything but impressive. Andre made a strong statement by scoring to help Swansea hold Chelsea to a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge and proudly walking away with the Man of the Match award.
Moments later, he told Swansea’s website that it was a dream debut any player could have and rated the goal among the “important, never to be forgotten goals” he had scored in his career.
Jordan, on the other hand, was less impressive for Villa who posted a 1-0 win away to debutants, Bournemouth, at the Vitality Stadium.
Given the difference in the intensity of play between the Premiership and the Ligue 1, where Andre played almost a decade at Olympique Marseille, the Ghanaian winger was hardly expected to make an explosive start to his Swansea career.
However, Andre proved he had the temeperament for the big stage, particularly against the defending champions at Stamford Bridge. He was a menacing presence, running at Chelsea's full-backs as he switched sides with the same ease that the Swans pushed forward.
After the home side took the lead through Brazilian forward Oscar in the 24th minute, Andre silenced the home crowd with the equaliser from a determined effort five minutes later.
Chelsea goalie Thibuat Courtois had stopped Bafetimbi Gomis’ header, then Gary Cahill looked to have saved the Blues with an instinctive block on the line to deny Ayew’s rebound — but the prostrate Ghana forward made no mistake with his second attempt, getting up to strike the ball wide of Courtois from close range.
Willian got Chelsea back in the lead in the 30th minute, but a cynical tackle by Courtois on Gomis on the edge of the box did not only earn the Swans a penalty, but it also saw Courtois seeing red, a situation that left outspoken Chelsea manager, Jose Mourinho, livid.
Andre, who was surprised at his Man-of-the-Match award, said the result was a great one for his side, given that Chelsea were the defending champions.
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“They are the champions with a great squad, but we managed to get a great result,” said a delighted Ayew in the interview with SwanseaFC.
“I couldn’t have had a better dream debut. The goal I scored was a very important and special one. I was very happy with my goal, particularly as the squad has really helped me out. Hopefully I will continue working hard to help the team.
“We must keep the spirit we have. We showed a lot of character. This is only the beginning for us.”
It was also a winning start for yet another Ghanaian, Jeffrey Schlupp who was not on the scoring sheet but played a role in Leicester City’s 4-2 win against Sunderland.
Christian Atsu’s failure to recover from his injury meant he missed Bournemouth’s game against Villa and his side’s 0-1 loss at home in that game, means he will be under pressure to bail them out when he recovers and given a starting role.