Liverpool and Arsenal stars shine, but Ed Sheeran left disappointed as the English Premier League kicks off with excitement and drama. The first Saturday of the new season saw both clubs secure victories, while notable individual records were set by Mohamed Salah and James Milner.
Liverpool’s fresh chapter under manager Arne Slot commenced with a 2-0 win against newly promoted Ipswich Town. Salah, the Egyptian forward, scored the second goal, marking his ninth career goal in the opening match of a Premier League season. This achievement puts him ahead of legends like Wayne Rooney, Alan Shearer, and Frank Lampard, establishing him as a standout performer in league history.
Meanwhile, Arsenal, who finished as runners-up in the league for the last two years, also secured a 2-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers. Goals from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka ensured a solid start for the Gunners, who are eager to challenge for the title this season.
Both Liverpool and Arsenal are seen as significant challengers to Manchester City, the reigning champions, who begin their title defense against Chelsea on Sunday. The season had kicked off on Friday with Manchester United narrowly defeating Fulham 1-0.
In other matches, Newcastle United triumphed 1-0 over Southampton despite a red card for Fabian Schar, while Everton faced a tough outing, losing 3-0 at home to Brighton & Hove Albion, who featured the experienced James Milner.
Milner, at 38, made history by starting his 23rd Premier League season, surpassing the previous record he shared with Ryan Giggs. Interestingly, Milner is seven years older than his manager, Fabian Hurzeler, who enjoyed a victorious debut after transitioning from German club St. Pauli.
Aston Villa edged past West Ham United 2-1, while Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth played to a 1-1 draw, marred by an injury to Forest’s Danilo, who suffered a broken ankle during the match.
DISAPPOINTMENT FOR ED SHEERAN
Ipswich’s most famous supporter, pop star Ed Sheeran, watched from a VIP box at Portman Road, following his recent investment in the club. Despite his support, the team was unable to secure a win in their first top-flight season since 2002, showcasing an entertaining but vulnerable style of play.
Salah contributed significantly to Liverpool’s performance, assisting Diogo Jota for the opening goal and then scoring himself shortly after. This match marked a fresh beginning for Liverpool under Slot, who took over from long-time manager Jurgen Klopp.
SAKA SHINES
Saka, a key player for Arsenal, quickly returned to form after participating in international tournaments over the summer. He assisted Havertz’s goal and scored another himself, showcasing his skill and determination on the field.
Goalkeeper David Raya played a crucial role in maintaining Arsenal’s clean sheet, making several key saves throughout the match. An incident involving Havertz and Wolves defender Yerson Mosquera highlighted the physical nature of the game, but no disciplinary action was taken against Mosquera.
Arsenal’s previous season saw them narrowly miss out on the title, finishing just two points behind Manchester City, adding pressure for a strong start this year.
BRIGHTON CRUISES
Brighton secured a convincing win against Everton, with goals from Kaoru Mitoma, Danny Welbeck, and Simon Adingra. The match was notable for Ashley Young’s red card, making him the oldest player to receive such a penalty in Premier League history, while Milner continued to impress in his record-setting appearance.
SCHAR SEES RED
Newcastle’s Fabian Schar received a straight red card for a headbutt, yet the team managed to secure a 1-0 victory over Southampton thanks to Joelinton’s goal, demonstrating resilience despite the setback.
PAQUETA GOAL
Lucas Paqueta, starting for West Ham amid ongoing controversy, scored from the penalty spot against Aston Villa. His situation remains tense, as he faces allegations of misconduct related to betting practices.
Colombia’s Jhon Durán emerged as the hero for Villa, scoring the decisive goal late in the match after Amadou Onana had initially put them ahead, showcasing the competitive spirit of the Premier League.
