theScore gives key takeaways and evaluation from the opening spherical of the 2025-26 Premier League season. Examine in all through the weekend for ideas on each match as we elevate the curtain on one other marketing campaign.
Bounce to: Friday | Saturday | Sunday
Sunday
The extra issues change …
There was quite a bit to love about Manchester United’s efficiency regardless of their loss to Arsenal. Bryan Mbeumo regarded energetic; Matheus Cunha bulldozed his manner by way of defenders on a number of events along with his tenacious ball carrying; Patrick Dorgu was inches away from scoring twice within the first half; the Purple Devils finally pale within the second stanza, however they dictated the opening interval. Ruben Amorim has positives to take again to the post-match debrief.
His goalkeeping scenario, nonetheless, is not one among them. Sound acquainted? Amorim opted to depart Andre Onana out of his squad, confirming earlier than the match that the much-maligned netminder was dropped regardless of being match. It is laborious accountable him after all of the obvious errors Onana has made since becoming a member of the membership. His alternative, Altay Bayindir, did not fare significantly better. The Turkish goalkeeper was at fault for the one objective of Sunday’s match, desperately arguing for a foul after he meekly flapped at a nook kick with little conviction. Manchester United conceded 15 targets from set items final season, and whereas there’s extra to these woes than simply goalkeeping errors, the continued struggles between the sticks do not encourage any confidence.
Man United rebuilt their ahead line at a large expense this summer season, however their incapability to deal with their weak point in objective (so far) is fairly inexplicable. Gianluigi Donnarumma is sitting proper there, ready for a brand new membership. Are United critically going to take a seat on their arms and let rivals Manchester Metropolis signal him?
Quiet debuts for big-money strikers
There was hope that the weekend’s high-profile fixture would characteristic a gripping head-to-head battle between summer season additions Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko, marquee strikers signed by Arsenal and Manchester United, respectively, for almost €160 million mixed. For various causes, neither big-money acquisition made a lot of an affect. Sesko, nonetheless attending to grips along with his new staff and system, began on the bench and performed roughly half-hour after being launched. He was desperate to please and confirmed off his aerial capability in addition to some good hold-up play, however did not get a correct scoring alternative on his debut.
Gyokeres, in the meantime, struggled to get entangled within the recreation a lot in any respect. He had no shot makes an attempt and did not create any possibilities as Arsenal regarded disjointed within the attacking part. Among the many gamers who began for either side, solely Gabriel Martinelli had fewer touches than Gyokeres. The Swede’s most memorable contribution was a cross from the fitting aspect of the field that cleared everybody and sailed all the way in which to the opposite aspect of the pitch, a lot to the amusement of the Previous Trafford crowd.
Arsenal will play significantly better than they did Sunday, but it surely’s value remembering Mikel Arteta is a conservative coach who would a lot fairly grind out wins than have his staff interact in a back-and-forth observe meet. That is to not say that Gyokeres should feed on scraps, however there shall be an adjustment interval coming from Portugal, the place he was taking up 4 photographs per 90 minutes final season and having fun with a number of open area to use. We’re a really good distance from hitting the panic button – it is only one recreation – however maybe all of us need to readjust our expectations barely.
Palmer on the fringes
Chelsea, naturally, have been very lively within the switch market this summer season, however none of their enterprise and glossy new signings change the truth that the Blues’ most influential and vital participant stays Cole Palmer. As he goes, they go. That was clear as soon as once more on Sunday. Chelsea toiled towards Crystal Palace, unable to get their No. 10 into the sport. Palmer had solely six touches contained in the opposing penalty space, and he did not document a shot on track. As a staff, the hosts solely hit the goal with three efforts, and two of these got here in stoppage time as they threw extra warning to the wind seeking a winner.
Palmer stole the present within the Membership World Cup ultimate, ripping Paris Saint-Germain aside with the eyes of many singularly targeted on that match. He would not have to attain two targets each time he steps on the pitch, after all, however he does must be central to Chelsea’s attacking play if Enzo Maresca’s staff goes to make the leap from top-four contender to true title challenger. That is solely going to turn into harder as an increasing number of groups focus their defensive plan round stopping the 23-year-old after they see Chelsea arising on the calendar. That is the subsequent stage of his improvement as a celebrity. Palmer endured a troublesome 16-game objective drought final season and must get on the board early to keep away from an analogous storyline creating.
Eze’s ultimate act?
Eberechi Eze is reportedly pushing for a transfer to Tottenham earlier than the switch window closes, however, not like a few of his Premier League friends, he confirmed professionalism and dedication to his present squad Sunday, lining up for Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge and delivering a sometimes ingenious and engaged efficiency. He almost marked with with a objective, however his blistering free-kick from simply exterior the penalty space was finally dominated out due to an infringement by captain Marc Guehi, who was too near the defensive wall when the shot was struck.
That took away what would’ve been a doubtlessly memorable ultimate act for Eze after 5 years at Palace. The Englishman’s applause towards the touring supporters after the ultimate whistle had a whiff of a farewell about it.
No stopping Chris Wooden
Solely three gamers – Mohamed Salah, Alexander Isak, and Erling Haaland – scored extra targets within the Premier League final season than Wooden. First rate firm, that. The New Zealand worldwide picked up proper the place he left off, scoring twice Sunday and persevering with his unbelievable run of discovering the web along with his first shot of the marketing campaign; Wooden has now turned his first effort right into a objective in every of the final three seasons.
At 33, the massive striker has seemingly discovered the elixir of youth after toiling away for a number of years earlier than turning right into a scoring machine on the Metropolis Floor. Since Nuno Espirito Santo’s first recreation as Nottingham Forest boss in December 2023, Wooden and Salah are the one gamers within the Premier League to attain 30 non-penalty targets. Once more, rarefied air. With Forest investing closely this summer season in artistic playmakers who can present high quality service, Wooden has a fantastic likelihood to eclipse the 20 league tallies he recorded final 12 months.
Brutal begin for Brentford
Newcastle have given them a run for his or her cash right here, however Brentford have endured arguably probably the most difficult summer season of any Premier League membership. The Bees misplaced their coach (Thomas Frank), captain (Christian Norgaard), and finest participant (Bryan Mbeumo), whereas Yoane Wissa, who was second to Mbeumo in scoring final 12 months, is absent from the squad as he tries to push by way of a switch to St. James’ Park. New boss Keith Andrews, an inside rent who stepped as much as substitute Frank, has an enormous job on his arms.
He is off to an inauspicious begin. Excluding newly promoted groups, Brentford turned the primary staff since 2017 to be trailing by not less than three targets at halftime of their opening Premier League match of a marketing campaign. They have been vulnerable in each part of play towards Nottingham Forest, and carried little or no risk earlier than a comfort objective from the penalty spot. Relegation alarm bells are already ringing.
Saturday
Reijnders destined for enormous Man Metropolis position
Manchester Metropolis have been much less proactive and efficient within the switch market throughout Txiki Begiristain’s ultimate couple of years as sporting director. Excessive-achieving gamers slowed of their 30s and their successors both weren’t there in any respect or weren’t adequate. The person who changed Begiristain, Hugo Viana, is making an attempt to deal with that, with Tijjani Reijnders’ Ilkay Gundogan-esque contributions being one notable instance.
Reijnders might be the needle and thread that stitches collectively a possession-based staff. He occupies related positions to Saturday’s unused substitute Gundogan, and his smoothness with the ball and appreciation of techniques may make him one of many key executors of Pep Guardiola’s recreation plans. Reijnders’ finest Gundogan impression was his imaginative chipped ball forward of Rico Lewis earlier than Erling Haaland’s opener, however the dribble that preceded his go hinted that he could possibly be a slicker mover than the German in his peak. And whereas an on-form Gundogan commonly pops up with targets and gives possibilities resulting from his clever motion and timing, Reijnders affords extra thrust when he detects area. The Dutchman sprinted ahead when there was a turnover within the heart circle earlier than his objective and carried the staff upfield earlier than his help for Haaland.
Reijnders is the second Metropolis participant to get not less than one objective and one help on his Premier League debut since Sergio Aguero in 2011.
Richarlison rejuvenated
Only a few weeks in the past, it appeared like a assure that Richarlison would go away Tottenham this summer season. The enigmatic Brazilian was a nonfactor final season. He performed solely 504 Premier League minutes, beginning 4 instances and registering 4 targets within the course of. After one match of the brand new marketing campaign, he is midway to matching that scoring tally. Richarlison, picked over Dominic Solanke simply as he was within the Tremendous Cup, scored two glorious targets in Spurs’ win, together with a sensational scissor kick. His hold-up play was strong, and he used his physicality to unsettle the Burnley backline. Each tallies have been assisted by Mohammed Kudus, who already appears to be like like a fan favourite.
Tottenham ought to rating a lot underneath Thomas Frank, particularly if they’ll add both Eberechi Eze or Savinho (or each) to this group. The true take a look at shall be whether or not they can enhance defensively. Burnley are perhaps the worst measuring stick within the league in that regard. Subsequent week’s assembly with Manchester Metropolis shall be way more informative for Spurs.
The place will Burnley’s targets come from?
Burnley’s excellent 100-point Championship marketing campaign, and subsequent promotion again to the Premier League, was constructed on their protection. They conceded solely 16 targets in 46 matches final 12 months. That is clearly not sustainable with the leap as much as the highest tier, so Scott Parker must offset a few of that with extra targets on the different finish. Therein lies the issue: Who’s going to attain them?
Opening the season away towards Europa League holders Tottenham was a tall order, however the early proof validated the issues concerning the Clarets going into the season. Whereas they created some promising openings, the likes of Lyle Foster, Jaidon Anthony, and Hannibal Mejbri lacked any sort of scoring intuition contained in the field after they acquired there. Burnley’s nice hope is that new signing Armando Broja will repair that drawback, however we’re speaking a couple of participant with eight Premier League targets to his identify previously 4 seasons mixed. It’ll be an extended 12 months for the Clarets.
An early relegation six-pointer?
Sunderland matched the celebratory temper on the Stadium of Mild with an encouraging victory over West Ham. Regis Le Bris felt like a hipster appointment when he was introduced in final summer season after failing to forestall Lorient’s relegation to Ligue 2, however his popularity for enticing soccer and nurturing kids was enhanced throughout final season’s promotion. The regard for Le Bris’ work may now skyrocket within the prime tier. Sunderland’s aggressive offseason recruitment drive has added extraordinarily watchable people to Le Bris’ squad – most notably, ex-Brighton & Hove Albion winger Simon Adingra – but it surely was becoming that the Black Cats’ targets have been scored by three stars of final season: Eliezer Mayenda, Dan Ballard, and Wilson Isidor.
A giant query forward of this season was whether or not all three promoted sides would instantly drop again down for the third straight marketing campaign. Sunderland submitted a convincing argument that it will not occur once more – and so did West Ham. The Irons, taking part in of their 14th consecutive Premier League season, adopted a regarding summer season of enterprise with a pitiful show. On this viewing, West Ham are in deep trouble.
Muniz underlines his high quality
The followers even serenaded him whereas he sat on the bench through the first half. Rodrigo Muniz has been topic of reported curiosity from Atalanta for a while and is outwardly in favor of a transfer to Italy, however the ahead’s reputation amongst Fulham supporters endures. And it is utterly comprehensible: He is a bodily and dedicated participant able to defending from the entrance, repeatedly profitable aerial duels, and cramming targets into his restricted minutes. Muniz scored eight instances final season, together with targets towards all six English golf equipment competing within the Champions League this time period, regardless of beginning simply eight Premier League matches.
Muniz punished Brighton’s failure to double their lead with an equalizer simply because the clock ticked onto 96 minutes. It wasn’t a basic objective by any means, however the substitute’s anticipation, willingness to battle, and talent to slap the ball house at essential moments have been evident. He’ll be a invaluable asset wherever he is taking part in after September’s worldwide break.
Isak’s absence looms massive
This one is not rocket science. Disgruntled striker Alexander Isak was unnoticed of Newcastle’s squad for Saturday’s match as he continues to push for a switch to Liverpool. The Magpies missed him dearly. Eddie Howe, who’s saying all the fitting issues however have to be deeply pissed off by the scenario, began three wingers up entrance at Villa Park, with Anthony Gordon performing because the de facto striker between Harvey Barnes and Anthony Elanga. Newcastle dominated play – they outshot the hosts 16-3 total and generated 1.47 anticipated targets – however lacked crowning glory contained in the penalty space, with each Elanga and Gordon spurning possibilities. Even taking part in towards 10 males after Ezri Konsa was despatched off within the 66th minute, Newcastle struggled; that they had only one shot on track after the crimson card.
Isak scored 23 Premier League targets final season, second solely to Mohamed Salah. That manufacturing is not simply replaceable. Discovering one other ahead with an analogous ability set shall be virtually not possible within the switch market; Yoane Wissa, strongly linked with a switch, can be a pleasant addition, however he is one other predominantly vast ahead. The very best end result can be for the Swede and Newcastle to restore their fractured relationship.
Friday
Slot nonetheless searching for stability
Liverpool are a depraved, relentless attacking staff. Even when they do not land Isak – who they won’t want if Federico Chiesa can keep wholesome and contribute – the Reds are going to attain a number of targets this season. They’re additionally going to concede a lot. We noticed it throughout preseason, and people suspicions manifested within the Premier League opener. Liverpool lined up with not less than six attack-minded gamers at Anfield – seven in the event you embrace nominal “defender” Jeremie Frimpong – and their efficiency mirrored that.
Bournemouth punished them twice on the counter, exploiting monumental area behind the full-back for the primary objective and a chasm in central midfield for the second. The return of Ryan Gravenberch from suspension will assist tackle a few of that, however not all of it. Ibrahima Konate, who regarded sluggish and indecisive towards the Cherries, will must be at his finest all season with the sheer quantity of open area he is being requested to cowl on his personal.
If something, Friday’s emotional curtain-raiser may persuade Liverpool to expedite a transfer for Marc Guehi. However this seems to be a stylistic difficulty greater than a personnel drawback. Slot must determine shortly if he is keen to sacrifice some attacking aggression for extra defensive solidity. In any other case, Liverpool will spend a lot of the season making an attempt to outscore their defensive frailties.
Semenyo stands tall
Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola challenged Antoine Semenyo to be a frontrunner for his staff following a summer season during which the attacker signed a brand new contract. Liverpool, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur have been all linked with the Ghanaian, however he dedicated his future to the Cherries to finish switch hypothesis. Now, Semenyo is stepping up – and in way more testing methods than his boss had envisioned.
The opening match of the season was delayed through the first half after Semenyo reported to the referee that he was a sufferer of racist abuse. Some gamers would’ve understandably been distraught and distracted by such vile therapy, however Semenyo responded by producing two high quality second-half targets after speedy Bournemouth breakaways. It was a show of unfathomable energy from a supremely gifted participant and, after all, a frontrunner.