Biggest Winners and Losers From the Premier League’s Opening Weekend

After its annual three-month hiatus, the Premier League has finally returned, and what a weekend it has been. Manchester United’s Old Trafford clash against perennial title race runners-up Arsenal headlined a blockbuster opening salvo, with Liverpool raising the curtain against Bournemouth 48 hours prior. But across the ten games on opening weekend, which teams were the biggest winners? And, the biggest losers.

Winner – Manchester City Back With a Bang

Just over two years ago, Manchester City were widely considered the best team on the planet. The Blues went on to claim the treble in the 2022/23 season, with many calling them arguably the best team ever assembled thanks to the FA Cup, Premier League, and maiden UEFA Champions League triumphs. And while Pep Guardiola would manage to lead his team to another Premier League title the following year – a record-breaking fourth on the spin no less – their 2024/25 campaign left a lot to be desired.

Following the weak surrendering of their Premier League crown last term, online real money gambling sites have put City in the unfamiliar position of title race outsiders. The latest real money gambling at Bovada odds currently price the former champions as a 3.85 third favorite for the title this season, well behind both reigning champions Liverpool and perennial runners-up Arsenal.

In a bid to rectify last term, City strengthened once again in the summer, just as they did back in January. While the iconic Kevin De Bruyne departed for Napoli following the expiry of his contract, the likes of Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders, and Rayan Aït-Nouri have arrived. And all of them were on song as the Blues headed to face the Wolves at Molineux.

The clash in the Black Country could have been a difficult one had City not performed, and while there were a couple of early scares, normal service was promptly resumed just before half-time. New boy Reijnders was the star of the show, setting up Erling Haaland’s first before scoring a stunning second himself. He then helped himself to an assist in the second half when he set up Haaland’s second, before fellow debutant Cherki completed the rout with a fourth late on.

After spending the better part of a year with the critics berating them at every turn, Manchester City are finally back to their best. And with talismanic midfielder Rodri still yet to return, they could get even better.

Winner – Liverpool’s Title Defence Gets Off to the Perfect Start

Liverpool kicked off the new season on Friday night as they hosted Bournemouth on an emotional night at Anfield, with tributes being paid to their late winger Diogo Jota. Following their summer signings, the Reds are the overwhelming favorites to defend their title this season, and it looked as though those betting odds were accurate as goals from new signing Hugo Ekitike and winger Cody Gakpo gave them a 2-0 lead shortly after half-time.

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As we saw last season, however, the Cherries are a match for even the best teams on their day. As the second half progressed, the visitors burst into life. Two goals in 12 minutes from the brilliant Antoine Semenyo suddenly brought Bournemouth level, and it looked as though they would leave Merseyside with a shock point. But the champions are made for sterner stuff,

As the 90th minute approached, Liverpool found their winner. Anfield’s hero, Mohamed Salah, dazzled down the right-hand side before delivering into the area, and the much-maligned Federico Chiesa swept home to jubilant scenes in front of a raucous Kop end. Minutes later, Salah sealed the deal, getting Liverpool’s title defence off to a perfect start with a thrilling 4-2 victory.

Loser – World Champions Chelsea Stumble Out of the Gate

No club had a better summer than Chelsea. The Londoners shocked the planet by winning the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, with a brace from Player of the Tournament Cole Palmer downing Paris Saint-Germain in the Big Apple. The opening game of their Premier League campaign, however, left a lot to be desired.

Enzo Maresca’s men welcomed FA Cup winners Crystal Palace to Stamford Bridge, with the big narrative surrounding the future of star winger Eberechi Eze. The England international is rumored to be on his way to Tottenham Hotspur in the coming days, but he surprisingly started for the Eagles, and he thought he had given them the lead in the first half. Eze rifled home a blistering free kick, but the goal was ruled out due to an infringement from Palace skipper Marc Guehi.

In the second half, Palace’s well-structured nature frustrated the hosts, but Chelsea certainly didn’t help themselves. An unwillingness to play forwards from central defenders Joshua Acheampong and Trevor Chalobah meant that the Blues never really looked like scoring and constantly invited pressure from the opposition. Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos had a golden opportunity to secure the victory at the death, but he inexplicably blazed over with the goal at his mercy to confirm his side’s disappointing start to the season.

Manager Maresca had stated in the week leading up to the opener that he would like a new central defender, especially following an injury to Levi Colwill. That sentiment will have only been exacerbated on a disappointing afternoon in West London.