Hull And Ipswich Dream Debuts Headline Goal-Filled Premier League Opening Weekend
Promoted duo Hull City and Ipswich Town stunned Manchester United and Sunderland respectively as Arsenal, Manchester City, Brighton and Brentford also won, before Liverpool's late leveller at Newcastle and Chelsea's derby win at Fulham closed out an eventful Matchweek 1.
Promoted sides steal the weekend's headlines
Hull City's return to the Premier League after a nine-year absence could not have gone better. Semi Ajayi opened the scoring in the 17th minute and Nobel Mendy, a big-money summer arrival for the Tigers, headed in a second just before half-time as Hull beat Manchester United 2-0 at MKM Stadium, their first league win over United since 1974.
Ipswich Town also made a winning return to the top flight, edging fellow promoted side Sunderland 2-1 at Portman Road. Emersonn opened the scoring after being set up by fellow summer signing Julio Enciso, before Nilson Angulo levelled for Sunderland with a direct free-kick. Substitute Jack Clarke settled it in the 90th minute with a winner against his former club, Ipswich's first opening-day win in the top flight since 1993/94.
Champions and City open with routine wins
Arsenal began the defence of their title with a 3-0 win over Coventry City, with Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard all on target. Manchester City also started strongly, beating Bournemouth 2-1, while Brighton put four past Aston Villa without reply.
Brentford were the pick of Saturday's results, beating Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 through goals from Keane Lewis-Potter, Vitaly Janelt and Michael Kayode. The one blot on their afternoon was Igor Thiago missing from the penalty spot, a miss that cost them a place above Arsenal at the top of the table on goal difference.
Liverpool's late leveller is the weekend's only stalemate
Newcastle led twice through Anthony Elanga and Joe Willock, either side of a Cody Gakpo equaliser for Liverpool, before Dominik Szoboszlai rescued a point deep into stoppage time. His penalty, awarded after Lewis Hall brought down debutant Victor Munoz, made it 2-2 and secured the weekend's only draw.
Chelsea close out Matchweek 1 with a derby win
Matchweek 1 wrapped up on Monday when Chelsea edged past Fulham 3-2 at Craven Cottage. Joao Pedro's 31-second opener, the quickest goal ever scored on the opening day of a Premier League season according to Opta, put Chelsea ahead before Josh King levelled for Fulham. Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer then put Chelsea 3-1 up either side of half-time, and although Gonzalo Garcia pulled one back for Fulham, Chelsea held on for the win.