The 2026/27 Premier League season kicked off with an exhilarating first game week, showcasing unexpected results, thrilling late goals, and significant individual achievements. Among the standout moments was Hull City's stunning 2-0 victory over Manchester United, marking a historic upset, while Liverpool maintained their impressive unbeaten streak on opening day. Arsenal also made a strong statement in their title defense, defeating newly promoted Coventry City 3-0.
Arsenal's Strong Start and Milestones
Arsenal's commanding win against Coventry City not only secured three points but also marked a significant milestone for manager Mikel Arteta, who celebrated his 150th Premier League victory in just 249 matches. This achievement places him among a select group of managers who have reached this landmark in fewer than 250 games, as reported by Jio Star. The Gunners have now extended their remarkable unbeaten streak to 46 home matches against promoted teams, with 41 wins and five draws, including a perfect record in their last 17 encounters, during which they scored 47 goals and conceded only nine.
Martin Odegaard also made headlines by scoring in consecutive matches for the first time since December 2023, already surpassing his total of one goal from the previous season across all competitions.
Shocking Upsets and Late Drama
In a surprising turn of events, Hull City triumphed over Manchester United, who dominated possession with 71.6 percent but failed to convert that into goals. This defeat marked a historic first for United, as it was the first time they lost their opening match to a newly promoted team. The loss continues a troubling trend for United, who have now failed to score on the opening day for two consecutive seasons, despite taking a total of 43 shots in those matches.
Meanwhile, Liverpool's new chapter under manager Andoni Iraola began with a dramatic 2-2 draw against Newcastle. The match maintained Liverpool's impressive record of being unbeaten on opening day for 14 consecutive seasons, the longest active streak in the league. Newcastle, on the other hand, remains winless against Liverpool in their last 20 Premier League encounters.
Other notable performances included Anthony Elanga scoring his first Premier League goal for Newcastle after a lengthy drought, and Ipswich Town celebrating a memorable return to the top flight with a 2-1 victory over Sunderland, marking their first opening-day win since the 1993/94 season.
As the weekend concluded, Chelsea secured a 3-1 victory over Fulham, with Joao Pedro netting the fastest goal in an opening match in Premier League history just 31 seconds in. This win marked a successful start for new manager Xabi Alonso, who became the first Chelsea manager since 2018 to see his team score three goals in their debut match.
