It was an opening Premier League Saturday that was all about building on last season as Arsenal showed their keenness on another title race and Newcastle United proved their top four finish was no fluke.
The Gunners began their first weekend back with a well-controlled display that featured some, but not quite enough, magic from the visitors Nottingham Forest.
The game was delayed as the fans flocked to London for the return of English football, but it would not be too long before Eddie Nketiah and Bukayo Saka were on the scoresheet for Mikel Arteta’s side at the Emirates.
Both goals came inside the first half hour of the contest with Gabriel Martinelli registering a fancy assist for the opener before William Saliba touched the ball on to Saka for the Englishman to complete a rather stunning strike.
In the closing moments Taiwo Awoniyi pulled one back for Forest, but it would be the Gunners that would match Manchester City’s opening win as they seek to compete in yet another title race.
The goal rush was headlined by a 4-1 Brighton win over new boys Luton Town while West Ham and Bournemouth played out a 1-1 draw and Fulham and Crystal Palace each beat Everton and Sheffield United 1-0.
The late game was all Newcastle though, as the Geordies picked up the pieces from their Champions League finish last season to claim a noteworthy 5-1 victory at home to Aston Villa.
Debutants Sandro Tonali and Harvey Barnes found themselves on the scoresheet alongside St James’s Park’s famous goalscorers Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak.
The latter bagged a memorable brace while Wilson became the only player to have scored on the opening matchday in each of the last four Premier League campaigns.
The action from the Premier League continues deep into the weekend as Brentford host Tottenham Hotspur before Chelsea and Liverpool collide in the pick of the games on Sunday. Wolves will then take on Manchester United on Monday night football.
Pictured above: Kieran Trippier
Image source: @NUFC
