THE day we’ve all been waiting for is finally here.
Premier League football returns TONIGHT as Manchester United host Fulham at Old Trafford.
United are favourites to win the opening fixture, but Marco Silva’s side should not be underestimated.
The Cottagers won two of three pre-season games – against Benfica and Hoffenheim – and could cause quite an upset against the reigning FA Cup champions.
Prem new boys Ipswich face Liverpool at home on Saturday in the hope of giving new manager Arne Slot a huge shock.
And Championship winners Leicester City will be looking to spoil Tottenham’s start to the season when they kick off their campaign at the King Power on Monday night.
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We have seen several opening day upsets over the years, and SunSport have looked back at some of the most memorable.
Brentford 2-0 Arsenal (2021/22)
A day that all Arsenal fans wish they could permanently erase from their memory.
The Gunners suffered a shock defeat to newly-promoted Brentford on the opening day of the 2021-22 season.
It was a dismal defensive display from Arsenal as Sergi Canos and Christian Norgaard fired the hosts to a 2-0 win.
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The result led Gary Neville to infamously question the North London side’s transfer strategy.
Chelsea 2-3 Burnley (2017/18)
Stamford Bridge was stunned into silence when Burnley earned a 3-2 win over reigning Premier League champions Chelsea.
Goals from Sam Vokes and Stephen Ward fired the Clarets to a 3-0 lead before half-time.
Chelsea managed to claw two goals back after the break but ultimately came away from the match with nothing.
Arsenal 1-3 Aston Villa (2013/14)
Sorry, Arsenal fans.
The Gunners suffered another unexpected opening day defeat in 2013, this time to Aston Villa.
Olivier Giroud opened the scoring, but Christian Benteke turned the match on its head before Antonio Luna sealed the win for Villa at the Emirates.
Arsene Wenger’s side still managed to sneak into the top four at the end of the campaign.
Arsenal 0-2 West Ham (2015-16)
Once again, I’m really sorry, Arsenal fans!
The Gunners suffered another shock opening day defeat two years after the Aston Villa disappointment.
Slaven Bilic had just been appointed as West Ham manager and academy star Reece Oxford put on a stellar display to help the East London side to a 2-0 win.
Cheikhou Kouyate and Mauro Zarate were on the scoresheet for the Hammers on a memorable day at the Emirates.
Hull 2-1 Leicester (2016/17)
Just months after Leicester City were crowned Premier League champions, they started the 2016/17 campaign with a shock 2-1 defeat to Hull.
It was the first time in the Premier League era the reigning champions began their title defence with a defeat.
Man Utd 1-2 Swansea (2014-15)
United suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to Swansea on the opening day of the 2014-15 season following goals from Ki Sung-yueng and Gylfi Sigurdsson.
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It was the club’s first opening day defeat at home since 1972.
Wayne Rooney hoped to get his side back into the game after scoring in the second half, but the Red Devils walked away with nothing.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
