The new Premier League season kicks off on Friday night as newcomers Brentford take on Arsenal. There have been many great opening day Premier League clashes over the years. Here is a look at five of the greatest.
Top Five Premier League Opening Matches
Watford 3-3 Liverpool (12 August 2017)
Watford and Liverpool played out a six-goal thriller on the opening day of the Premier League in 2017. The Hornets took the lead after just eight minutes thanks to a Stefano Okaka header.
Liverpool equalised thanks to a sumptuous finish by Sadio Mane. However, the Reds fell behind again just three minutes later after some awful defending. Their defence made a hash of trying to clear Tom Cleverley’s low ball across the box, allowing Abdoulaye Doucoure to score from close range.
Jurgen Klopp’s side came out firing in the second half and scored two goals in the space of two minutes. Roberto Firmino equalised from the penalty spot and then Mohamed Salah scored a delicious lob on his Liverpool debut.
However, the thrilling action had a controversial ending as Miguel Britos bundled the ball into the net in the third minute of stoppage time despite Liverpool’s offside appeals.
Arsenal 3-4 Liverpool (14 August 2016)
Another thrilling opening day encounter involving Liverpool, this time it was a happier ending for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
The first half hour was rather forgettable, however, the second half will live long in the memory. Arsenal took the lead after 31 minutes through a fine finish by Theo Walcott just minutes after missing a penalty.
On the stroke half time, Liverpool levelled through a fantastic free-kick by Philippe Coutinho. Adam Lallana then put Liverpool in front, finishing a 19 pass move four minutes into the second half.
Coutinho added to their lead, brilliantly finishing a Nathaniel Clyne cross. Jurgen Klopp’s side looked to have sealed the three points thanks to a fantastic solo run and finish by Sadio Mane.
However, Arsenal came roaring back. Goals from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Calum Chambers set up a grandstand finish. But they were unable to find an equaliser to cap a memorable second half.
Chelsea 2-3 Burnley (12 August 2017)
This was one of the biggest shocks on the opening day of a Premier League season. Chelsea were the defending Premier League champions under Antonio Conte but were left shellshocked after just 45 minutes of the new season.
Gary Cahill got his spell as the new club captain of to a nightmare start, being sent off after just 14 minutes for a lunging tackle on Steven Defour.
Burnley took full of advantage of the extra man and raced into a three-goal lead before half-time thanks to a double from Sam Vokes and a lashed angled drive from Stephen Ward.
Chelsea got one back with 20 minutes to go thanks to a header by summer signing Alvaro Morata. Their hopes of an unlikely comeback appeared to be diminished when Cesc Fabregas received a second yellow, reducing the blues to nine men.
Despite this, David Luiz pulled another goal back for Chelsea but they were unable to find an equaliser and fell to their first opening day league defeat since 1998.
Liverpool 4-3 Leeds United (12 September 2020)
Leeds United marked their return to the Premier League in dramatic fashion, losing a thriller against the defending Premier League champions at Anfield.
Mo Salah gave Liverpool the lead from the penalty spot. However, Leeds equalised just eight minutes later with Jack Harrison firing past Alisson in the Liverpool goal. Virgil van Dijk then restored Liverpool’s lead with a powerful header.
But moments later the Dutch defender’s error allowed Patrick Bamford to nip in and finish past Alisson to haul Leeds level once again. They weren’t level for long as Mo Salah lashed in a ferocious shot past Illan Meslier in the Leeds goal.
Midway through the second half, Leeds were level for the third time. Mateusz Klich finished after a perfect first touch and volley past Alisson.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side were to endure late heartbreak after they conceded another penalty. Salah stepped up and slotted the penalty into the net to give Liverpool all three points. It was a chaotic match that also included four disallowed goals.
Arsenal 4-3 Leicester (11 August 2017)
The 2017/18 Premier League got off to a fantastic start as Arsenal and Leicester City played out a seven-goal thriller. Alexandre Lacazette headed the Gunners ahead 94 seconds into his top-flight debut, only for Shinji Okazaki to nod in an equaliser just two minutes later.
Jamie Vardy then put Leicester ahead, before Danny Wellbeck equalised just before half-time. Jamie Vardy headed in a Riyad Mahrez corner for his second of the game to put the Foxes back in front.
Leicester looked like they were heading for an opening day win, only for Arsenal to score two goals in two minutes to turn the game around. First Aaron Ramsey smashed in an angled drive. Then with five minutes to go Oliver Giroud brilliantly headed in a Granit Xhaka corner to win it for the Gunners.
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