Premier League Countdown: 10 Memorable opening day games
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The new Premier League seasons begins with a flourish on Friday night as Manchester United host Leicester City at Old Trafford.
Both sides will want to kick things off with a win. But it doesn’t always go to plan on the first weekend.
We’ve rounded up 10 of the most memorable opening day clashes since 1992, and be warned Arsenal fans, it doesn’t make pretty reading for your side…
Arsenal 4-3 Leicester City, 2017-18
Cast your mind back 12 months to this belting Friday night opener.
The Gunners took the lead early on through Alexandre Lacazette before falling behind to goals from Shinji Okazaki and Jamie Vardy.
Danny Welbeck brought things level, only for Vardy to score again to make it 3-2.
A remarkable final 10 minutes saw the result swing again, Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud netting two goals in as many minutes to seal an incredible 4-3 victory for the hosts.
Arsenal 3-4 Liverpool, 2016-17
Jurgen Klopp began his first full season in charge of Liverpool with a pulsating victory in an Emirates encounter that was devoid of defensive responsibility.
Arsenal went 1-0 up through Theo Walcott, but goals from Philippe Coutinho, Adam Lallana and Sadio Mane put the visitors out of sight.
Arsenal 1-3 Aston Villa, 2013-14
In an afternoon that spawned the birth of Fan TV, Arsenal fans were left fuming after a shock opening day loss to an Aston Villa side managed by Paul Lambert.
Antonio Luna scored one and Christian Benteke hit two as Gunners manager Arsene Wenger faced questions over his transfer activity.
Queens Park Rangers 0-5 Swansea City, 2012-13
Michu announced himself to the Premier League with a stunning brace as Swansea City cruised to victory at Loftus Road against big-spending Queens Park Rangers.
Nathan Dyer also helped himself to a pair of strikes before Scott Sinclair rounded off the rout with a low finish.
Everton 1-6 Arsenal, 2009-10
In a rare positive opening day for Arsenal, the Gunners ran riot at Goodison Park.
Eduardo, William Gallas, Thomas Vermaelen and Denilson all got on the scoresheet in the Merseyside jaunt, with Cesc Fabregas also chipping in with a pair of strikes.
Middlesbrough 3-3 Liverpool, 1996-97
One of the classic Premier League encounters.
A Middlesbrough side featuring Emerson, Juninho and Fabrizio Ravanelli fought back from 1-0, 2-1 and 3-1 down to salvage an opening day draw. Bryan Robson’s swashbuckling Teesiders would later face the ignominy of relegation.
Aston Villa 3-1 Manchester United, 1995-96
“You’ll never win anything with kids”, claimed Alan Hanson following Manchester United’s opening day humiliation at Villa Park.
Ian Taylor, Mark Draper and Dwight Yorke put the Red Devils to the sword in the Midlands as Sir Alex Ferguson had to answer questions over his youthful team selection.
The Scotsman had the last laugh as his side went onto land the league and cup double to prove that you can win things with kids.
Crystal Palace 1-6 Liverpool, 1994-95
New Liverpool manager Roy Evans couldn’t have got off to a better start at Selhurst Park.
Promoted Palace were put to the sword by Jan Molby, Robbie Fowler and two apiece from Steve McManaman and Ian Rush. Unsurprisingly, the Eagles would go on to be relegated.
Arsenal 0-3 Coventry City, 1993-94
Humbled in the season opener the year before, Arsenal produced another horror show to begin the 1993-94 campaign. A Micky Quinn hat-trick proved decisive in seeing off the Gunners.
Arsenal 2-4 Norwich City, 1992-1993
Norwich City topped the fledgling Premier League table after the first ever round of results in August 1992. The Canaries had only avoided relegation by three points the season before.
But four second-half goals from Mark Robins (x2), David Phillips and Ruel Fox sent the Canaries into dreamland after being 2-0 down at half-time.
Tony Adams and co. were left licking their wounds as Mike Walker’s men left Highbury with a scarcely believable 4-2 win.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
