The first week of the 2016/17 English Premier League featured big upsets, impressive new players and top sides making big statements.
Liverpool gun down Arsenal at the Emirates
Jurgen Klopp got off to a dream start with his new look Liverpool side, defeating Arsenal 4-3 in thrilling fashion. Theo Walcott missed a penalty, but redeemed himself a minute later, opening the scoring for Arsenal with a low finish into the bottom left corner. Phillipe Coutinho levelled the score with a free kick beating goalkeeper Petr Cech to the top left corner. Three unanswered goals from Coutinho, Adam Lallana and Sadio Mane took the Reds out to a 4-1 lead. But the Gunners had a late fightback, with goals from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Calum Chambers putting the game at 4-3 it wasn’t enough to salvage a win.
Premier League Champions lose
After winning the Premier League last season, Leicester City were big favourites to kick off their new season the way they ended it. But the newly promoted Hull City caused an upset, defeating the Foxes 2-1. Leicester became the first ever team to lose on the opening day of their title defence. The goals started in bizarre fashion with a two-person bicycle kick from Abel Hernandez and Adama Diomande with Diomande finding the net. Leicester tied it up after player of the season Riyad Mahrez slotted a penalty, before Scottish winger Robert Snodgrass pounced on the end of a deflected ball to win the match.
Ibrahimovic hits the ground running
New signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic got off to a flying start after scoring on his Manchester United and Premier League debut. The Swedish striker has now scored on his Premier League, Serie A, La Liga, Ligue 1 and Champions League debuts. The Red Devils won the game 3-1 against Bournemouth where Adam Smith scored Bournemouth’s only goal.
Guardiola claims victory on English managerial debut…just
Pep Guardiola and Manchester City just got by with a 2-1 win from an own goal against Sunderland. The home side looked to get the ball rolling early in the game when man of the match Raheem Sterling gained a penalty for his side that striker Sergio Aguero booted with ease. Sunderland were later rewarded for their brilliant defensive display when English veteran Jermain Defoe tied the game at 1-1 following a shot into the bottom corner. His efforts were then undone when blues winger Jesus Navas crossed the ball into the box where Sunderland defender Paddy McNair headed the ball into his own net, giving Manchester City the victory.
Chelsea defeat the Hammers at the Bridge
Former Italy manager Antonio Conte earned a win on debut in front of his new fans as Chelsea beat West Ham 2-1. Eden Hazard then scored a penalty to give them a 1-0 lead before 32-year-old defender James Collins levelled the score at 1-1. A controversial tackle from Chelsea striker Diego Costa, who was already on a yellow card, saw West Ham fans up in arms insisting the Spaniard be sent off. Then in the final minutes, Costa won the game for the Blues with a shot from outside the box finding the bottom left corner. – Jarvis Small.
Other results from the weekend:
Most memorable moment so far? #PLkickoff pic.twitter.com/dTkRgSx1ZN
— Premier League (@premierleague) August 15, 2016
Photo of Liverpool celebrating taken from the Premier League Twitter page.
About the author
18 years old, aspiring sports/football journalist.
