The new season of the English Premier League kicked off with a bang. Arsenal won a seven-goal thriller over Leicester in the first game of the 2017/18 campaign, Liverpool threw away a lead in the 94th minute, and 9-man Chelsea were beaten 3-2 at home to Burnley.
Man United sit on top of the table after only the first round thanks to their 4-0 win over West Ham; Mounie, Vokes, Lukaku, and Vardy top the goalscorers chart with two goals each; Mkhitaryan, Xhaka, and Eriksen are tied with the most assists at two each.
Here are five interesting facts from the Premier League’s kick-off round.
1. The major summer signing scored on their debuts
Well, most – not all of them. Lacazette began the affair by scoring his first Premier League goal two minutes into his debut. Salah of Liverpool followed with a goal and assist in the 3-3 draw, which Morata later copied in the 3-2 loss to Burnley. Lukaku then scored a brace in his first English top-light game for the Red Devils.
And his two-goal haul saw him join an elite Man United group.
4 - Romelu Lukaku is the 4th @ManUtd player to score a brace on his Premier League debut (also Van Nistelrooy, Wilson, Rashford). Presence. pic.twitter.com/ychSlDR6Ox
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 13, 2017
2. Chelsea’s opening day sets Premier League record
The Blues defeat at home to Burnley means the reigning champions have lost in Matchday 1 in two consecutive seasons – Leicester were also defeated in the opening day last season. This is the first time defending champions lost their first game in successive seasons in the Premier League era.
1968 - This is the first time that the reigning champions have suffered a defeat on MD1 in successive top-flight seasons since 1968. Shock.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 12, 2017
3. Mourinho reaches personal feat with West Ham win
Mourinho is the second season man, always winning the league in his second season in charge. The Portuguese boss got off to a good start in his second term in charge of Man United, winning 4-0 against West Ham.
It is his biggest win as Red Devils boss, and the largest victory since the 6-0 win over Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.
4. Wayne Rooney returns home
The English started a Premier League game for the Toffees for the first time in 13 years after completing his Goodison Park return. His first game in their iconic blue jersey saw him net the winning goal.
Wayne Rooney starts for Everton in the @premierleague for the 1st time in 1️3️ years. #PLKickoff
— LiveSoccerTV.com (@LiveSoccerTV) August 12, 2017
[ @Everton] pic.twitter.com/WRvUclHr5y
4869 passed since he last scored in England for Everton, the longest gap between two goals for the same team – albeit there were circumstances.
5. Huddersfield go make history in their Premier League debut
Never has a club’s debut Premier League goal come courtesy of an own goal… until Huddersfield Town. The newly-promoted side went ahead against Crystal Palace after
Joel Ward of the opposing team put the ball in his own net.
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This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
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