Saka on target as Arsenal drubs Wolves
Arsenal got their Premier League campaign under way with a comfortable victory over Wolves at Emirates Stadium.
Kai Havertz headed in a first-half opener for the Gunners from Bukayo Saka’s cross from the right, with the England forward adding their second after the break with a powerful left-foot shot into the right corner after the visitors were caught out by a quickly taken free-kick.
While Arsenal were far from at their best, they always looked in control of the contest and more than merited their win against determined opponents.
Wolves debutant Jorgen Strand Larsen saw his first-half header well saved by Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya.
And substitute Matheus Cunha should have done better with a tame effort straight at Raya in a period when Wolves were chasing an equaliser.
However, Wolves boss Gary O’Neil can have little complaint at the outcome, with his side fashioning few clear-cut opportunities over the course of the afternoon.
Jota, Salah strike to give Liverpool opening-day victory at Ipswich
Finishes from Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah saw Liverpool begin their 2024-25 Premier League campaign with a 2-0 win at Ipswich Town on Saturday.
Arne Slot’s first competitive match as Reds head coach ended in victory after a much-improved second-half performance from his side at Portman Road.
Jota opened the scoring on the hour mark and Salah then doubled the lead five minutes later to set a new record for goals scored on the opening weekend of a Premier League season (nine).
The hosts began with great intensity on their return to the top flight after a 22-year absence. Jarell Quansah was needed to slide in and block a shot from Omari Hutchinson that appeared to be on target inside the opening two minutes.
At the other end, Ryan Gravenberch clipped a clever ball over the top for Salah to meet – but the Egyptian was unable to bring it under control.
Jacob Greaves headed straight at Alisson Becker from a free-kick before Ipswich’s best chance of the period arrived in minute 32 when Hutchinson led a counter-attack after defending a corner, ending it with a finish saved by the Liverpool goalkeeper.
Luis Diaz sensed an opportunity as Luke Woolfenden’s attempted interception nearly broke to the attacker in the box, though Christian Walton was quickly off his line to gather.
An Axel Tuanzebe header landed on top of Alisson’s net and Trent Alexander-Arnold blazed over to end a half that Ipswich would have been happier with.
Liverpool made a change at the break, with Ibrahima Konate coming on for Quansah in the heart of the defence.
Ipswich thought they had a penalty when Liam Delap was upended by Virgil van Dijk but Leif Davis proved to be a few inches offside during the build-up.
Nevertheless, there were brighter signs from the Reds following the interval, and Alexander-Arnold was central to the improvement.
A sweeping move – started by the No.66 – ended with Diaz lifting the ball over the advancing Walton but also the crossbar.
The pressure on the Ipswich back line continued, however. Dominik Szoboszlai and then Alexis Mac Allister had shots blocked before Jota was devastated to head wide from a whipped Alexander-Arnold delivery.
The striker would make no mistake with his next chance a minute later, though. Alexander-Arnold’s defence-splitting pass found Salah, who proceeded to nudge the ball into Jota’s path right in front of goal.
Slot’s men struck again while they had a spring in their step. Salah, who had earlier chased down a long pass from Van Dijk, looked to play a one-two with Szoboszlai inside the box but was able to poke the ball past Walton after a favourable deflection.
Liverpool’s lead could have increased but they were firmly in control of the closing stages to make sure they posted three points in the 2024-25 Premier League at the first opportunity
Newcastle dug deep to secure all three points at home
Joelinton scored the only goal as 10-man Newcastle United got off to a winning start in the Premier League by edging out promoted Southampton 1-0 at St James’ Park.
The Saints made a bright start on their Premier League return, with Jack Stephens’ early goal ruled out for offside before they were handed a numerical advantage when Fabian Schar was shown a straight red card for violent conduct following a tangle with Ben Brereton Diaz.
But it was Newcastle who struck first through Joelinton as the Magpies pounced on Alex McCarthy’s error just before the break.
Lewis Hall cleared Adam Armstrong’s shot off the line as the visitors sought an equaliser in the second half, but the hosts held out for a hard-earned win.
Hurzeler starts Brighton career with win at Everton
Brighton’s young manager Fabian Hurzeler started his Premier League career with an impressive win that meant Everton began their final season at Goodison Park in miserable fashion.
The venue has been Everton’s home ground since 1892, but they will move to a new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock for the start of next season.
Hurzeler, the Premier League’s youngest ever permanent manager, and his Brighton side were in no mood to provide any sentiment towards the opposition.
Tackles flew in during a thunderous first half in which Everton’s Jack Harrison had an early goal ruled out for offside, while at the other end Joao Pedro rattled the post with a stinging low drive.
The visitors took the lead courtesy of Kaoru Mitoma’s easy finish at the back post following fine work from debutant Yankuba Minteh, who was heavily linked with a move to Everton before joining Brighton this summer.
Everton had a penalty award overturned at the start of the second half despite Lewis Dunk appearing to catch Dominic Calvert-Lewin, as referee Simon Hooper reviewed the incident on the pitchside monitor.
Feeling hard done by, Everton were then punished further as Idrissa Gueye misplaced a pass in midfield, allowing the Seagulls to counter, and Danny Welbeck stroked in a lovely finish from the edge of the box.
Everton’s Ashley Young was sent off as the last man for pulling back Japan international Mitoma, and Simon Adingra slid home a third goal late on to inflict a thoroughly desperate opening defeat on the home side.
Forest earn 1-1 draw at Bournemouth
AFC Bournemouth began life without Dominic Solanke by battling to a 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest on the opening matchday of the Premier League season.
Andoni Iraola’s second season in charge of the Cherries looked set to begin with a defeat when Chris Wood pounced from close range to give Forest a first-half lead.
However, Bournemouth plugged away in search of an equlaiser and were rewarded in the 86th minute as Harry Toffolo’s clearance rebounded kindly for Antoine Semenyo to lash home, having been selected as a central striker following Solanke’s move to Tottenham Hotspur.
Forest’s frustrations were compounded by a potentially serious injury suffered by Danilo, who received lengthy treatment before being carried off on a stretcher in the first half.
ManU in winning start over Fulham
Joshua Zirkzee scored a dramatic late winner on his Manchester United debut as the Red Devils claimed a 1-0 victory over Fulham in the first Premier League match of 2024/25.
After recording their lowest-ever Premier League finish last season, United looked set to be frustrated at Old Trafford on Friday until their new striker diverted a deft finish past Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno in the 87th minute.
Introduced midway through the second half by Erik ten Hag, Zirkzee applied the crucial touch to fellow substitute Alejandro Garnacho’s teasing centre to settle the contest.
Bruno Fernandes had earlier squandered United’s best chances, with Leno in excellent form for the visitors.
But Zirkzee’s effort ensured United got the ball rolling as they begin their season with a perfect result.
