The Premier League’s best opening-day games: Man Utd, Liverpool, Arsenal and more

The Premier League returns this weekend and nine months of drama, managerial casualties and dodgy VAR decisions will return.

The first round of fixtures is on the horizon and fans are eagerly waiting to see their club back in top-flight action.

There have been some classic games on the opening day/weekend of the season in years gone by - and Sports News Blitz’s Jon Shea looks at some classic games that have raised the Premier League curtain, entertaining fans from the off.

Sheffield United 2-1 Manchester United - 1992/93

The Premier League launched in 1992 and a new era dawned on English football. A new historical chapter in the English game was ready to commence.

The first season gave all players a chance to etch their names in history, and that is what happened when Sheffield United hosted Manchester United, the runners-up in the previous season.

History fell at the feet of Blades striker Brian Deane as he headed home on the fifth-minute mark to become the first player to score in the Premier League - an accolade that no one will be able to take away from him.

Deane added another from the penalty spot just after half-time to add to his memorable afternoon.

Mark Hughes pulled one back for United late in the game but it was an opening-day win for Sheffield United.

Sir Alex Ferguson built on the opening-day defeat and Manchester United went on to win the first Premier League title and their first in 26 years.

Sheffield United managed a 14th-place finish, which was well clear of relegation.

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Middlesbrough 3-3 Liverpool - 1996/97

The pre-season excitement centred around the awaited debut of Alan Shearer for Newcastle after he signed for a world-record fee in the summer of ‘96.

Shearer’s debut ended in a defeat at Goodison Park, and the headline of the opening weekend was made at The Riverside.

Middlesbrough had achieved promotion and were given a dream first-day fixture against Liverpool.

The game is remembered for a memorable hat trick for striker Fabrizio Ravanelli, as the Italian striker equalised on three separate occasions for Boro, cancelling out Bjornebye, Barnes and Fowler’s goals for the Reds to grab a memorable draw on the opening day.

Ravanelli is forever written in the Premier League folklore for his part in the game as his hat-trick is regarded as one of the most iconic the league has seen.

Unfortunately for Middlesbrough, they could not stay in the Premier League as a three-point deduction for a game cancellation cost them their place in the league as they finished two points adrift of safety.

Manchester City 3-2 Southampton – 2012/13

Manchester City started the 2012/13 season as champions for the first time in 44 years, as Aguero’s iconic goal made sure City’s Premier League badge was golden.

Roberto Mancini’s Manchester City were given an opening-day test against newly-promoted Southampton.

Nigel Adkins had guided the Saints to back-to-back promotions, as they competed at England’s top table for the first time since 2005.

The game exploded into life just before half-time as Carlos Tevez steered one home for the champions. The second half saw Southampton turn the game on its head as Rickie Lambert and Steven Davis scored two great goals to give the Saints the lead at the Etihad.

But Manchester City, as they showed on the last day of the previous season, love a late show, and they turned the game back around to win as two late goals from Edin Dzeko and Samir Nasri gave City the victory on opening day.

Arsenal 3-4 Liverpool - 2016/17

Rarely does the Premier League throw up a game between two of England’s biggest clubs on the opening day of the season, however on the opening Sunday of 2016/17 we got that as Arsenal and Liverpool locked horns.

This was a game that saw a Liverpool debut for a certain Sadio Mane, and the start of the first full season under Jurgen Klopp, whereas Arsene Wenger entered his 20th year as Arsenal manager.

Arsenal started in electrifying fashion as Theo Walcott scored neatly, not long after missing a penalty himself. Just on half-time, Philippe Coutinho carried on his long-range heroics, as he scored a beauty of a free-kick for Liverpool.

In the second half, Liverpool took over the game, racing into a 4-1 lead as Adam Lallana made it 2-1, Coutinho grabbed his second and Mane scored a memorable first goal for the club as he dribbled down the left and smashed home into the top left corner.

Arsenal tried to make a late comeback as future Liverpool player Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scored a nice goal after a good dribble through the Liverpool defence before Callum Chambers grabbed a rare goal - but Liverpool opened their season by beating the Gunners.

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Arsenal 4-3 Leicester - 2017/18

This fixture saw the first of its kind in the Premier League as the Friday night curtain raisers began. The two teams who were chosen for it were three-times champions Arsenal and Leicester, who were then managed by Craig Shakespeare.

Arsenal, still under the management of Arsene Wenger, and Leicester threw up a cracker of a match. The first goal of the season came for the new Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette, who headed home after just two minutes.

The Foxes were in front by the half-hour mark as Shinji Okazaki and Jamie Vardy turned the game on its head. Danny Welbeck made it 2-2 just before half-time, as he tapped into an empty net.

The second half saw Jamie Vardy head Leicester back in front from a corner, and the Foxes lead with 10 minutes to go in the match.

Arsenal, however, turned it on as Aaron Ramsey steered the ball home for 3-3. It took until stoppage time to see a winner as Olivier Giroud headed a trademark header in off the bar.

Manchester United 5-1 Leeds United – 2021/22

As fans returned to football grounds in their full capacity for the first time since March 2020, the Premier League threw up a fierce game between Manchester United and Leeds United.

This was a game that was exciting for Manchester United fans as it saw a debut for star signing Jadon Sancho and the revealing of Raphael Varane’s signing from Real Madrid.

The energy was certainly mirrored on the pitch from a Manchester United point of view, and Bruno Fernandes grabbed the first goal of the game as his shot trickled in for 1-0 - the first of four assists for Paul Pogba and the first of Fernandes’ three goals.

Leeds did grab an excellent equaliser from distance, but the Red Devils seized control and started to take Leeds apart.

Fernandes grabbed two brilliant goals to finish his hat-trick and Fred finished it off for the rampant hosts.

Manchester United’s season was tough as they struggled for any sort of confidence and form as they finished outside the top four, while Leeds United struggled all season and needed the final day to survive from relegation.

Will we get another classic to kick-start the 2024/25 season?

Here is the full set of opening weekend fixtures:

Friday, August 16

Manchester United vs Fulham

Saturday, August 17

Ipswich Town vs Liverpool

Arsenal vs Wolves

Everton vs Brighton

Newcastle United vs Southampton

Nottingham Forest vs AFC Bournemouth

West Ham United vs Aston Villa

Sunday, August 18

Brentford vs Crystal Palace

Chelsea vs Manchester City

Monday, August 19

Leicester City vs Tottenham

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