The 2023/2024 Premier League season started with defending champions Manchester City beating newly-promoted side Burnley 3-0 on Friday as Norwegian striker and last season’s top scorer Erling Haaland scored a brace, with the third coming in from Rodri. 

The midfielder also scored the winning goal in the UEFA Champions League final against Inter Milan as they secured a treble last season. The result showered in a dominant weekend for the big sides as Arsenal also recorded a 2:1 victory over Nottingham Forest at Emirates Stadium in Saturday’s early kick-off.

Eddie Nketiah took full use of the absence of Gabriel Jesus to open the scoring before Bukayo Saka picked it up from where he left last season with a stunning goal. Nigerian striker Taiwo Awoniyi was also on target, but his goal was not enough to see them get a result.

Also on Saturday, Newcastle United grabbed a stunning 5-1 win over Aston Villa, but this was after Bournemouth and West Ham United drew 1-1, Sheffield United lost at home to Crystal Palace 1-0, Brighton beat Luton Town 4-1, and Fulham pipped Everton at Merseyside 1-0.

For Super Sunday, Chelsea welcomed Liverpool to Stamford Bridge, but that was after Brentford and Tottenham played a 2-2 draw earlier that afternoon. Chelsea’s shaky start ended with their seventh consecutive draw in all competitions against the Reds after a 1-1 draw.

Luiz Diaz and Axel Disasi scored for the visitors and the home side, respectively, but Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said he was completely happy with the scoreline.

“We scored a superb first goal, scored a sensational second goal that was unfortunately offside. If you ask me if I was completely happy with the game, then no, but I saw enough that we are a step further in the right direction. We had our moments. It was a super intense game, a wild game in moments. We should have controlled it more but couldn’t.” Klopp said.

Meanwhile, match day one fixtures will end on Monday as Manchester United face Wolverhampton on Monday night.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu