SETTING THE SCENE | Premier League Opening Weekend: The English Premier League returns and takes centre stage once again when champions Manchester City visit newly-promoted Burnley this Friday. As we look forward to the new season, let’s delve into some key statistics and records from the first weekend of the campaign.
The English Premier League returns and takes centre stage once again when champions Manchester City visit newly-promoted Burnley this Friday. As we look forward to the new season, let’s delve into some key statistics and records from the first weekend of the campaign.
One name that resonates strongly with the Premier League is Mohamed Salah, known for his electric pace and clinical finishing in the opposition penalty area. Since signing for Liverpool from Roma in 2017, the Egyptian forward has netted in every single opening gameweek that he’s played in, amassing eight goals in six matches. No other current player has scored more in opening weekends, whilst his record of finding the back of the net in six successive first-game fixtures also trumps the previous record of four set by Teddy Sheringham in 1995.
Another notable record came in the 2010/11 season when champions Chelsea started their title defence against newly-promoted West Brom. Didier Drogba notched a hattrick as the Blues won 6-0, which to this day is the biggest opening day victory in the history of the Premier League. Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti saw his champions play with a confidence, skill and composure that seemingly enabled them to slice open their opponents at will. Despite their perfect start, it wasn’t to be for the west Londoners, whose mid-season slump saw them surrender the title to Manchester United.
The opening day of the Premier League has also witnessed moments of quickfire action, such as Jefferson Lerma’s lightning-fast goal for Bournemouth against Aston Villa in 2022, just 1 minute and 58 seconds into the match. It holds the record for the quickest goal on the opening day of the season and gave the Cherries the perfect start on their return to the Premier League in front of their ecstatic supporters, highlighting how unpredictable the English top-flight can be.
Speaking of supporters, the opening day of the Premier League is considered a momentous day for football fans across the country as they fill the stadiums to see their sides back in action for the first time in months. An estimated 380,000 fans will be in attendance across the 10 stadiums hosting the opening games of the 2023/24 campaign, creating a thunderous atmosphere that adds to the excitement and intensity of the game. The chants, cheers, and reactions from the crowd contribute to the unique ambiance that defines the Premier League experience.
In terms of team achievements, both Chelsea and Manchester United share the record for the most opening day wins in Premier League history, with each team boasting 20 victories. Their consistent success underscores their status as long-standing contenders in the league and highlights how making a good start in your opening fixtures can set the tone for the season.
Additionally, Manchester United hold the distinction of having the best opening weekend win ratio in Premier League history, with an impressive 66% win rate from their 30 games. Whilst the Red Devils were unsuccessful in their opening match last year, losing 2-1 to Brighton at Old Trafford in Erik ten Hag’s first game as United boss, the fact they still hold the record underlines their success since the Premier League’s inception in 1992. They will want to improve on last season’s opening fixture when they face Wolves on Monday night.
As football fans around the globe eagerly anticipate the upcoming Premier League season, these statistics and records serve as a reminder of the significance and impact of the opening weekend of the season. From Mohamed Salah’s remarkable goal-scoring tendency to Jefferson Lerma’s quickfire strike last year, the opening weekend of the Premier League season is certainly not one to miss.
