Premier League kicks off with fireworks as Man City, Tottenham and Arsenal Win – by Oghenefegor Chimaobi
The 2025/26 Premier League season kicked off with fireworks on Gameweek 1 as most of the title contenders kicked off with victories. Liverpool gave the Anfield crowd an exciting 4–2 win over Bournemouth. New recruit Hugo Ekitike got his debut goal, and Mohamed Salah continued his pre-season streak of opening-day scoring. With new boss Arne Slot at the helm, the Reds looked refreshed and menacing going forward, and with a balance that assures them of being title contenders once more.
Manchester City too showed their dominance as they easily beat Wolves 4–0. Erling Haaland did not have to wait long to hit the target, scoring a brace to remind everyone why he is still the league’s most potent striker. New boys Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki also scored, showing Pep Guardiola’s squad transformation is already paying dividends. Tottenham, though, lit up North London with a 3–0 victory against Burnley, marked by Richarlison’s jaw-dropping double of overhead kicks, an early candidate for goal of the season. Chelsea laboured to a dispiriting 0–0 draw at home against Crystal Palace. Brighton and Fulham endured a 1–1 draw, while Newcastle v Aston Villa went goalless despite Villa finishing the match with ten men on the field. Nottingham Forest impressed with a 3–1 win at Brentford, but the weekend’s surprise was when newly promoted side Sunderland overwhelmed West Ham 3–0 in a one-sided performance.
The biggest headline controversy was at Old Trafford, where Arsenal dominated Manchester United 1–0. Riccardo Calafiori scored the goal to gain three points. The match also featured an element of suspense as both teams tested out their new number nines: Manchester United’s Benjamin Šeško and Arsenal’s Viktor Gyökeres. The two strikers failed to score but their movement, hold-up play, and presence gave fans a glimpse of what to expect in the season.
Despite Arsenal’s victory, United with Rúben Amorim seemed the superior team for most of the game. They applied pressure with genuine intensity, created better chances, and looked far more watertight than they did last season. What they lacked was a killer instinct at key moments of time, whereas Arsenal showed tenacity and maturity to win on one of the league’s hardest awaygrounds. For Mikel Arteta’s side, it was a sign of their ability to grind out victories when not performing.
For Manchester United, there are positives aplenty to build on. Šeško gave glimpses of his athleticism and link, Amorim’s tactical discipline gave the team shape, and their midfield bossed one of the division’s best groups of players. If they sustain this level of energy, they will win guaranteed.
All in all, Gameweek 1 brought drama, goals, debut thrills, and one massive shock. It was the perfect reminder why the Premier League is unmatched for drama and remains the best football league in the world. – By Oghenefegor Chimaobi
