The 2026/27 Premier League season produced a dramatic opening weekend, with new managers Andoni Iraola and Enzo Maresca enduring contrasting experiences as Liverpool rescued a point at Newcastle and Manchester City staged a late comeback against Bournemouth.
Meanwhile, Arsenal began their title defence in style, while Manchester United suffered a shock defeat to newly promoted Hull City.
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Iraola faces early Liverpool test
Dominik Szoboszlai converted a stoppage-time penalty to earn Liverpool a dramatic 2-2 draw against Newcastle United at St James’ Park in Iraola’s first Premier League match in charge.
Anthony Elanga put Newcastle ahead in the first half before Cody Gakpo equalised shortly after the interval.
Joe Willock restored Newcastle’s advantage with his first Premier League goal since 2024, but Liverpool were handed a lifeline late on when Lewis Hall fouled Victor Munoz inside the penalty area.
Szoboszlai kept his composure to convert the penalty with the final kick of the game and secure a point for Liverpool.
The draw gives Iraola an unbeaten start to his Liverpool reign, but the Spaniard will have concerns after an unconvincing performance from his side.
Liverpool showed character to fight back twice but struggled to impose themselves for long periods against a determined Newcastle team.
Iraola arrived at Anfield after guiding Bournemouth to European qualification last season with an attacking, high-energy style.
He now faces the much bigger challenge of rebuilding a Liverpool side that finished fifth last season and closing the gap on defending champions Arsenal.
Maresca survives City scare
At the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City also needed a late fightback to begin the post-Pep Guardiola era with victory.
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Marcus Tavernier gave Bournemouth the lead in the first half before Marc Guehi equalised with six minutes remaining.
Josko Gvardiol then completed City’s comeback in stoppage time to secure a 2-1 victory and give Maresca three points in his first Premier League game as Guardiola’s successor.
The result provided relief for Maresca after City’s disappointing 3-0 defeat by Arsenal in last weekend’s Community Shield.
Maresca has inherited the huge task of following Guardiola, who won 20 major trophies, including six Premier League titles, during his decade-long reign at City.
Guardiola’s era began with a late victory over Sunderland in 2016, and Maresca will hope Sunday’s dramatic comeback can similarly mark the beginning of a successful spell at the Etihad.
Both Iraola and Maresca now face major rebuilding challenges as they attempt to establish their own identities and close the gap on Arsenal.
Hull stun Manchester United
Manchester United suffered a humiliating 2-0 defeat to newly promoted Hull City on Saturday as their Premier League campaign got off to a nightmare start.
Michael Carrick’s side were undone by first-half goals from Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy at the MKM Stadium as Hull marked their return to the top flight with a memorable victory.
Hull, playing in the Premier League for the first time since 2017, were missing 10 players through injury but produced an energetic and fearless display to expose United’s shortcomings.
The defeat represents a chastening start to the season for United, who are expected to challenge for the Premier League title after finishing third last campaign.
There was little evidence at the MKM Stadium that Carrick’s side are ready to compete with defending champions Arsenal.
The result will increase pressure on Carrick to quickly improve United’s performances and demonstrate that last season’s revival was not a temporary upturn.
Arsenal make perfect title defence start
Premier League champions Arsenal made a perfect start to their title defence with a convincing 3-0 victory over newly promoted Coventry City in the opening game of the 2026/27 season at the Emirates Stadium on Friday night.
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Kai Havertz opened the scoring in the first half before Bukayo Saka doubled Arsenal’s advantage, while captain Martin Ødegaard added a third after the break to complete a dominant display.
The Gunners are aiming to become the first team since the 1930s to successfully defend the English top-flight title, and Mikel Arteta has already insisted his players remain hungry for more silverware.
Just 89 days after ending last season with a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace to secure the league title, Arsenal showed little sign of complacency as they overwhelmed Coventry and immediately laid down an early marker.
The emphatic victory also strengthens Arteta’s claim that Arsenal are ready to defend their crown, while rivals City, Liverpool and United have already been forced to confront significant challenges at the start of the new campaign.
