Five games took place on the opening day of the Premier League season, and they came with plenty of goals and drama.
[ MORE: Watch full match replays ]
Leicester City hammered Sunderland, Manchester United crept past Tottenham, Bournemouth were downed by Villa on their PL debut, while Everton drew with Watford and Palace beat Norwich. But the best game of the day came at the end as Chelsea drew 2-2 with Swansea in an absolute cracker at Stamford Bridge. It had it all.
[ MORE: Premier League schedule | standings ]
All in all, and I think you will agree with this, it was great to have the PL back.
Below you will find videos, recaps, reaction and more from all five games.
Manchester United 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur - RECAP
Louis van Gaal’s five new signings all played a part as the Red Devils beat Spurs 1-0 on the opening day of the season. The only goal of the game came against the run of play as Spurs’ bright start was interrupted when Kyle Walker tried to challenge Wayne Rooney but instead toe-poked the ball into his own net for the first goal of the 2015-16 season. Spurs had a great chance early on when Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen carved open United’s defense but the latter lobbed his effort over. Eriksen tested United’s new goalkeeper Sergio Romero late on, but he was up to the challenge as a tight game went United’s way.
- 3 things we learned
- Van Gaal confident De Gea will stay
- VIDEO - Walker’s bizarre own goal
- Pochettino says Spurs deserved more
Chelsea 2-2 Swansea City - RECAP
Jose Mourinho’s men got their title defense off to an inauspicious start against Swansea at Stamford Bridge. Oscar’s free kick gave Chelsea an early lead, but Andre Ayew scored on his debut to make it 1-1. Willian’s deflected effort but the Blues ahead before the break and in the second half the moment of the match arrived as Thibaut Courtois flicked Bafetimbi Gomis and referee Michael Oliver awarded Swansea a penalty kick and showed Chelsea’s goalkeeper a red card. Gomis scored the resulting spot kick and despite some heavy pressure from the Swans, Chelsea held on for a point.
Leicester City 4-2 Sunderland - RECAP
What a start for Claudio Ranieri in charge of the Foxes as his side raced into a 3-0 lead at half time. Jamie Vardy’s header got things going early on, then Riyad Mahrez scored twice before half time to stun Sunderland. The Black Cats improved in the second half, with Jermain Defoe pulling one back, but Marc Albrighton scored another to make it 4-1. Steven Fletcher pulled another one back for Sunderland, but it ended 4-2 at the King Power Stadium with Leicester momentarily top of the league.
Everton 2-2 Watford - RECAP
Newly promoted Waford got a point away at Goodison Park on the opening day and the Hornets were a few minutes away from grabbing a win. Mexico international Miguel Layun put the 1-0 up in the first half, but Ross Barkley equalized in stunning fashion to make it 1-1. Late on Odion Ighalo put Watford 2-1 up, but Arouna Kone scored just two minutes later as the Toffees fought back to grab a point.
Bournemouth 0-1 Aston Villa - RECAP
Second half substitute Rudy Gestede powered home a header just 13 minutes into his debut to hand Villa an opening day win for the third-straight PL season. Tim Sherwood handed six players their debuts and after struggling in the first half, Villa improved in the second but Bournemouth and Eddie Howe will feel hard done by to lose in the sun down on the South Coast. Marc Pugh and Dan Gosling went close in the first half, while Matt Ritchie had some chances late on to snag an equalizer, but Bournemouth’s first-ever game in the PL ended in defeat.
Norwich City 1-3 Crystal Palace - RECAP
The Eagles bagged an impressive win away from home as goals either side of half time from Wilfried Zaha and Damien Delaney put them 2-0 up. Substitute Nathan Redmond pulled one back for Norwich with a long-range goal, then Cameron Jerome had a goal disallowed and the Canaries thought they should have had a penalty when Sebastian Bassong went down. Late on Palace debutant Yohan Cabaye wrapped up the win, as Alan Pardew’s side started off this season exactly the way they finished last year.
