Premier League Reload - Matchday 8
Oct 10The Premier League is back!
Just 82 days after the conclusion to the 2020/21 season, the new campaign kicked off on Friday night as Brentford beat Arsenal.
As always, all televised games will be available to watch on BT TV, either via BT Sport or on NOW, with every second of the action from England's top flight.
Read on, or click the games below for match reports of every game in Matchday 1.
Join the home of live football today
BT Sport is the only place to watch live Premier League, Champions League, Europa League and much more.
The Premier League on BT TV
Click here for everything you need to know about how to watch every televised fixture during the 2021/22 season.
Friday 13 August
Brentford 2-0 Arsenal
Brentford announced their arrival in the Premier League in style as goals from Sergi Canos and Christian Norgaard secured a memorable 2-0 win over Arsenal.
A below-par Gunners side missing captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and fellow striker Alexandre Lacazette were deservedly beaten in the season’s opener.
The Bees, promoted via the play-offs last season, have finally come full circle as their last match in the top flight, in May 1947, was a 1-0 home defeat against Arsenal.
Saturday 14 August
Man Utd 5-1 Leeds
Manchester United enjoyed a dream start to the season as Bruno Fernandes’ hat-trick rocked rivals Leeds after Raphael Varane was paraded in front of Old Trafford’s first full house in 17 months.
The atmosphere was crackling as the ground welcomed a sell-out crowd for Saturday’s Premier League clash and the din increased several notches when their new signing was introduced before kick-off.
Varane’s arrival from Real Madrid was followed by a breathless Premier League triumph, with Fernandes’ treble complemented by Mason Greenwood and Fred goals as Man United thrashed old foes Leeds 5-1.
Burnley 1-2 Brighton
James Tarkowski's early opener got Burnley off to a flyer within the first few minutes at Turf Moor but they were unable to hold on for their first points of the season thanks to second half comeback from Brighton.
Goals from Neal Maupay and Alexis Mac Allister saw the Seagulls go home with the win as Graham Potter's men got their season off to a dream start.
Chelsea 3-0 Crystal Palace
European champions Chelsea were hardly troubled by visiting Crystal Palace as they cantered to all three points with a dominant victory at Stamford Bridge.
Marcus Alonso's sumptuous free-kick broke the deadlock in the first half before goals by Christian Pulisic and Premier League debutant Trevor Chalobah made sure of the points for Thomas Tuchel.
Everton 3-1 Southampton
Three second half goals handed Everton a glorious comeback victory against Southampton as Rafael Benitez's tenure got off to the perfect start at Goodison Park.
It looked as though it was shaping up to be a difficult afternoon when Saints debutant Adam Armstrong finished brilliantly after Michael Keane was caught in possession.
But Richarlison dragged the home side back into it with an early goal in the second half as well as laying on the winner for Dominic Calvert-Lewin after Abdoulaye Doucoure's rocket had given Everton a one goal lead.
Leicester 1-0 Wolves
Leicester were made to work hard for their victory at the King Power Stadium as visiting Wolves pushed them all the way for the three points in an evenly-fought contest on Saturday afternoon.
Bruno Lage might feel his side deserved more from the game after Adam Traore missed a couple of glorious opportunities to find the back of the net.
As it was, Jamie Vardy's fantastic near-post flicked volley proved the difference-maker as the Foxes secured a big win on the opening day.
Watford 3-2 Aston Villa
Watford marked their Premier League return with a thrilling opening-day victory over Aston Villa at Vicarage Road.
The Hornets, who sealed automatic promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt, saw off a late Villa comeback to hold on to all three points.
Norwich 0-3 Liverpool
Mohamed Salah claimed two assists and scored Liverpool’s third to help them start the new season with a comprehensive 3-0 win at Norwich.
The hosts were in celebratory mood ahead of kick-off after clinching the Sky Bet Championship title in May but Jurgen Klopp’s side showed their class with Diogo Jota breaking the deadlock in the first half.
Substitute Roberto Firmino doubled their advantage not long after coming on and Salah wrapped up an impressive first showing from the Reds with a record-breaking strike, becoming the first player to score in five consecutive opening weekends of the Premier League season.
Sunday 15 August
Newcastle 2-4 West Ham
West Ham twice came from a goal down to start their Premier League campaign with a 4-2 victory against Newcastle in front of a bumper 50,673 attendance at St James’ Park.
Callum Wilson and Jacob Murphy struck either side of Aaron Cresswell’s 18th-minute leveller to put the hosts 2-1 ahead at the interval, after which three Hammers goals in 14 second-half minutes settled the contest.
Said Benrahma dragged the away side level again before Tomas Soucek put West Ham ahead for the first time, reacting quickly after Michail Antonio had seen his penalty saved by Freddie Woodman on his Premier League debut.
Tottenham 1-0 Man City
Tottenham showed that life might not be too bad if Harry Kane does leave as they put in a rousing display to beat Manchester City 1-0.
The future of Kane has been the major talking point of the summer as he is keen to move on this summer, with City his preferred destination, and his late return to training meant that he was not included in the matchday squad.
It is understood Kane was in the stadium to watch the game and he will have been left in no doubt how the fans, who have shown him complete adulation, feel about the situation following a loud rendition of “are you watching Harry Kane?”.
