Premier League returns with a bang: goals, drama and scandals ignite the 2025/26 season

The English Premier League is back, and it has done so with its inherent drama and unpredictability. The first round of the 2025/26 season was not just a set of matches, but a kaleidoscope of events that set the tone for the months ahead. From the scoring extravaganza and emotional rollercoaster at Anfield, marred by a disgusting display of racism, to Manchester City's ruthless show of force and Sunderland's triumphant return to the elite, the weekend was filled with plots worthy of a novel of its own.

Against the backdrop of the return to the top flight of Leeds, Burnley and Sunderland, as well as the start of Liverpool as the reigning champions, the league immediately plunged fans into the thick of things. In ten matches played, 23 goals were scored, which indicates the constant attacking direction of the tournament. However, the dry numbers do not convey the whole picture: the historic intervention of VAR at Stamford Bridge and tense goalless confrontations, where the absence of one player meant more than the presence of twenty-two, added depth and intrigue to the tour. It was the perfect start, reminding everyone why the Premier League is considered the most spectacular league in the world.

Usual suspects: title contenders indicate their positions

Manchester City's ruthless declaration

Manchester City began the defence of their ambitions with a chilling statement, defeating Wolverhampton Wanderers away with a score of 4:0. What was the biggest away win of the tour immediately propelled Pep Guardiola's side to the top of the standings thanks to a better goal difference. From the first minutes, it became clear that City did not intend to slow down.

The central figure was again Erling Haaland, who scored a double and immediately burst into the scorers' race. His performance dispelled any doubts about the possible decline in form. Ryan Sherki and Tijani Rynders also scored goals with an assist, demonstrating the incredible depth of the Citizens' attacking potential. This performance was not just a victory, but a demonstration of strength that puts psychological pressure on all competitors from the very first day. With a goal difference of +4, City have already built up a small but important lead. This is Guardiola's classic approach: start quickly, gain momentum and demoralize opponents at an early stage.

A new dawn for Tottenham

Under new manager Thomas Frank, Tottenham started the season with a comfortable 3-0 home win over league newcomers Burnley. This result allowed Spurs to take a place in the leading group.

The hero of the meeting was Richarlison, who scored a magnificent double. His second goal, scored by an overhead kick, is already being called a contender for the goal of the season. A key role in the success was played by debutant Mohammed Kudus, who gave two assists to the Brazilian, demonstrating instant mutual understanding. The third goal was scored by Brennan Johnson. Analysts noted that under Frank, the team began to play "more direct football." This victory is not just three points, but a confirmation of the correctness of the new tactical course and, possibly, the beginning of a renaissance for Richarlison. An instantaneous, almost telepathic link between Kudus and Richarlison could be the key to solving Spurs' long-standing attacking problem after Harry Kane's departure.

Application to Old Trafford

Arsenal started their campaign with a hard, but strategically invaluable away victory over Manchester United with a score of 1:0. Although the score was not devastating, the significance of this result is determined by the status of the opponent and the venue of the match.

The victory at Old Trafford in the first round is a powerful psychological impetus for the Gunners' championship ambitions and a painful blow to United's starting plans. Mikel Arteta's team demonstrated a championship character: where City and Tottenham won due to brilliance, Arsenal took its toll thanks to endurance and tactical discipline. Such results often determine the outcome of the championship race. Arsenal have already overcome one of the toughest challenges on the calendar, while Manchester United have been under pressure from the start, starting with zero points and a negative goal difference.

A night of controversy at Anfield: triumph, tribute and confusion

The opening match of the season between Liverpool and Bournemouth was the most productive in the round and contained the whole range of emotions, from football delight to human tragedy and abomination.

The game turned into a real thriller. Liverpool newcomer Hugo Ekitike opened the scoring in his debut and then assisted Cody Gakpo, bringing the champions' lead to 2-0. However, Bournemouth did not give up. Antoine Semyño single-handedly brought his side back into the game with a brace, with one of his goals coming after an impressive solo run. When it looked that a draw was imminent, substitutes Federico Chiesa and Mohamed Salah snatched a 4-2 victory for Liverpool at the end of the match. Salah's goal strengthened his record for goals scored in the first rounds of the Premier League.

However, the sporting component faded into the background due to two non-football events. Before the match, the stadium honored the memory of striker Diogo Jota and his brother, who tragically died in a car accident. This tribute created a powerful emotional atmosphere, and Salah's tears after the final whistle became its piercing symbol.

In the 28th minute, the game was stopped after Antoine Semenyo informed the referee about racist insults from the stands. The incident was a grim reminder of the challenges that society continues to face. But the strongest response to hatred was the speech of Semenyo himself. After what he had experienced, he did not break, but scored two goals, turning from a victim into the main character of this evening. His resilience and brilliant play were an act of defiance that turned out to be more important than the final score. The match at Anfield became a microcosm of modern football, where incredible skill and unity coexist with the ugliest manifestations of human nature.

Mid-table matrix: draws, surprises and drama in the last seconds

Flying launch "Forest"

Nottingham Forest started the season with a convincing 3-1 home win over Brentford, securing the result in the first half.

The main protagonists were Chris Wood, whose double immediately included him among the top scorers of the tour, and Morgan Gibbs-White, who played a phenomenal match and gave an assist to debutant Dan Ndoye. Igor Thiago's goal of prestige from the penalty spot in the end was a weak consolation for the Bees. This result could be a wake-up call for Brentford. Under new coach Keith Andrews, the team looked disorganised defensively, in stark contrast to the tactically calibrated team of Thomas Frank's time. The fact that this was their first-ever defeat in the opening round of the Premier League only underscores the seriousness of the problems.

Archival Files: Goalless Draws

Two matches of the round ended with a score of 0:0, but they cannot be called boring - each of them had its own unique subtext.

Aston Villa vs Newcastle were dominated by the visitors, but they failed to convert their advantage, even after Ezri Konsa's sending-off in the 66th minute. The entire narrative of the match was built around the absence of the Magpies' star striker Alexander Isak amid rumours of his possible transfer.

Chelsea vs. Crystal Palace was remembered for the hosts' attacking fecklessness and a historic VAR moment. Despite 71% possession, the Blues created a minimum of chances. The main event was Eberechi Eze's cancelled free-kick due to his team-mate Marc Guehi being less than one metre from the wall at the time of the shot. explaining the reason for cancelling the goal. These two draws showed how out-of-game factors – the absence of a key player or the application of new rules – can determine the outcome and perception of a match as much as the game itself. For Newcastle, the question is whether they can score without Isak, and for Chelsea, VAR's historic decision only masked old problems with opening up an organised defence.

Bite at the finish

In the match between Brighton and Fulham, the hosts controlled the course of the game and seemed to be confidently heading for victory after Matt O'Reilly's goal from the penalty spot in the 55th minute. However, the denouement turned out to be dramatic. Fulham, who created almost nothing in attack, escaped in the 96th minute thanks to a goal by substitute Rodrigo Muniz, who turned out to be the quickest in the penalty area after a corner. The goal was a perfect illustration of the value of attacking instinct: the team was outplayed for 95 minutes, but took a point away thanks to one accurate shot.

Heroic return and harsh reality: the story of two newcomers

Sunderland's dream come true

Sunderland's return to the Premier League has been truly fabulous. In front of 46,233 spectators at the Stadium of Light, the Black Cats defeated West Ham 3-0. After a goalless first half, the hosts exploded in the second, scoring three unanswered goals. The goals were scored by Eliezer Mayenda, Dan Ballard and Wilson Isidore. The team, led by new captain Granit Xhaka and including seven debutants, looked organised and dangerous on the counter.

Sunderland's victory was a tactical triumph and a lesson for West Ham. Graham Potter's side had 64% possession but looked toothless, creating chances for just 0.63 expected goals (xG). Sunderland, on the other hand, have shown that tactical literacy and clinical implementation can be more important than sterile possession.

Burnley's harsh reality

Against the backdrop of Sunderland's success, Burnley's return turned out to be much more painful. The team lost to Tottenham with a score of 0:3. Although the reports note that the Clarets had promising chances, especially in the first half, they were let down by their lower performance skills compared to the opponent. Scott Parker's team, known for their solid defence, were unable to hold off Spurs' attacking onslaught, which clearly demonstrated how high the Premier League demands are.

Round end: Leeds snatch victory from Everton in a nervous ending

The final chord of the first round was Leeds' return to the Premier League, marked by a hard-fought 1-0 home win over Everton. The match at Elland Road turned out to be viscous and not rich in moments, where the fate of three points was decided by a single shot from the penalty spot.

The hero of the meeting was the debutant of the Peacocks Lucas Nmecha, who coolly converted a penalty in the 84th minute. It was a match of fine lines and tactical struggle, in which neither team wanted to concede. The meeting was heading towards a goalless draw until a controversial penalty was awarded, which brought Leeds the winning three points in the first match after returning to the elite.

Weekend review and closing act

After ten matches played, the standings took their first shape, reflecting the successes and failures of the opening weekend. 

Statistical leaders and heroes of the tour

• Top scorers: Erling Haaland, Richarlison, Antoine Semenyo, Chris Wood (2 goals each).
• Biggest home win: Sunderland 3-0 West Ham United.
• Biggest away win: Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-4 Manchester City.
• Highest scoring match: Liverpool 4:2 Bournemouth.

Among the individual performances, in addition to the authors of doubles, it is worth noting Mohammed Kudus, Morgan Gibbs-White, Dan Ballard and Marco Bizot, who became key figures in the matches of their teams.