It’s back… it’s finally back. I mean the World Cup only finished last month and the EFL opening day did not disappoint in the slightest, but there’s something truly unique about getting hyped up because Burnley’s Stephen Ward has bagged two assists for your Fantasy Team. Given his and Burnley’s success last season, that potential outcome this Saturday would be far less of a shock than some of these opening day encounters of old…
Wigan 0-4 Blackpool: 2010-2011
Blackpool’s demolition of the Latics left many, including Sky’s Paul Merson and Phil Thompson, with a generous portion of humble pie with which to gorge on.
One of the most popular clubs in recent top-flight history among neutral fans, Blackpool got off to a flyer in their solitary Premier League campaign so far. The fact that the Tangerines were even there was a fairy-tale in itself. A late surge up the table and Play-Off success ensured that they had played in all four professional divisions and would be in the top-flight for the first time since the early 1970s. They faced Wigan at the DW on the opening day where anything other than a defeat was considered a good result.
Blackpool’s demolition of the Latics left many, including Sky’s Paul Merson and Phil Thompson, with a generous portion of humble pie to gorge on. Gary Taylor-Fletcher side-footed the Tangerines in front on 15 minutes before a Marlon Harewood brace put them 3-0 up before half-time. Right-back Alex Baptiste’s 75th minute overhit cross then caught out Chris Kirkland to add further gloss to the scoreline.
Ian Holloway’s men were eventually relegated on the final day of the season after losing 4-2 at Old Trafford to Manchester United, despite leading with less than 20 minutes to go. However, the Tangerines were a credit to the league, looking as threatening going forward as they were inept at the back.
Chelsea 2-3 Burnley: 2017-2018
Five goals, two red cards and a shock victory at Stamford Bridge later, Burnley had taken their first major scalp on that journey.
Chelsea:
-Reigning champions who amassed the second highest points total in Premier League history at the time.
-Lost just twice at home all season
Burnley:
-Finished 16th in their first season back in the top flight
-One win and seven points amassed away from home all season
The above statistics suggested an easy start to the new 2017-2018 season for Chelsea, more a case of how many they would win by rather than whether the result was in question. However, Sean Dyche’s Burnley were about to embark on an incredible season which would see them finish seventh and qualify for Europe. Five goals, two red cards and a shock victory at Stamford Bridge later, Burnley had taken their first major scalp on that journey.
The recently appointed club captain, Gary Cahill, was given his marching orders after 14 minutes following a late tackle on Stefan Defour and, within ten minutes, Sam Vokes volleyed the Clarets ahead. On 39 minutes, Stephen Ward spectacularly doubled Burnley’s lead with a left-footed volley from a tight angle. And then, just three minutes later, the away fans were in dreamland as Vokes added a third with a back-post header.
Chelsea regrouped in the second half after the introduction of new signing Alvaro Morata. The Spaniard’s diving header gave Chelsea hope, but his fellow countryman Cesc Fabregas’ two yellow cards made the Blues’ task even more difficult. The nine men pulled another goal back through David Luiz but were unable to reverse one of the biggest shocks and most entertaining matches in opening day history.
West Brom 3-0 Liverpool: 2012-2013
The way in which Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool hardly went out with a whimper was a glaring exposure of the task the Northern Irishman had on his hands.
Back in May 2012, Liverpool and West Brom had only finished two places and five points apart. The result of their opening day showdown would certainly be more shocking today given the directions these clubs have gone in the past five years, and the fact that one of them would be registered to the wrong division. But the surprising way in which Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool hardly went out with a whimper was both a testament to the strength of Steve Clarke’s Baggies and a glaring exposure of the task the Northern Irishman had on his hands.
A spectacular Zoltan Gera volley on the edge of the box following a corner on the stroke of half-time put the home side ahead before Daniel Agger conceded a penalty after being caught napping on the hour. Peter Odemwingie, yet to be despised by his own fans for trying to force through a move to QPR on January deadline day, dispatched it coolly to put West Brom in the driving seat. Romelu Lukaku then finished the Reds off with a header on his debut following a loan move from Chelsea.
West Brom ended up doing the double over Liverpool in 2012-2013 and finished in a very respectable 8th place. However, while Rodgers’ men improved immeasurably and were within touching distance of a Premier League title within nine months, the Baggies began a gradual downward spiral which would eventually lead to relegation.
Aston Villa 3-1 Manchester United: 1995-96
United grew into the game in the second half but were soundly beaten.
Arguably the most famous of these opening day matches produced one of the most infamous lines in punditry history from Alan Hansen. Despite winning two out of three Premier League titles, Sir Alex Ferguson oversaw a squad overhaul and allowed the departure of key players Mark Hughes, Andrei Kanchelskis and Paul Ince. Even more surprising was the use of academy players to fill the gaps left behind, with the likes of Gary and Phil Neville, Nicky Butt, David Beckham and Paul Scholes being promoted to the first team on a more regular basis. Aston Villa, on the other hand, had finished one place above the relegation zone the previous season and had lost main striker Dean Saunders to Galatasaray during the summer.
Despite United’s depleted squad, they were still expected to come away from Villa Park as victors, but the Reds were instead ruthlessly put to the sword. Ian Taylor tapped home within the first 15 minutes before new signing Marc Draper slotted home a second at the near post before the half-hour mark. The score then threatened to become embarrassing when Dwight Yorke coolly dispatched a penalty into Peter Schmeichel’s net, making it 3-0 just over 35 minutes into the new season.
United grew into the game in the second half and pulled one back through what would later become a trademark David Beckham long-range effort but, nonetheless, they were soundly beaten; cue Alan Hansen’s immortal line. Obviously, they had the last laugh, going on to win a league and cup double, but the way in which they were outplayed in the West Midlands certainly raised some eyebrows.
Arsenal 1-3 Aston Villa: 2013-14
Especially considering their ambition in the transfer market, this was a terrible start for Arsenal
Villa once again feature on the right end of an opening day shock, this time when they upset the odds to beat Arsenal at the Emirates thanks in no small part to two Christian Benteke penalties and a Laurent Koscielny sending-off. It doesn’t matter how you win them I guess…
It had all started so well for the Gunners too, when new signing Olivier Giroud opened the scoring early on before gloating in front of the Villa fans. The French forward would live to regret his antagonistic actions though, as Christian Benteke levelled from the spot after Gabby Agbonlahor had been brought down. While the first penalty was relatively clear-cut, the second which Villa were awarded on the hour was questionable to say the least, with Koscielny looking to have made an excellently-timed tackle inside the box. Nonetheless, much to the annoyance of Arsene Wenger, Benteke made no mistake once again to put the away side ahead. Things then went from bad to worse as Koscielny was shown a second yellow minutes before Antonio Luna exposed Arsenal’s high line to race through and finish one-on-one.
Especially considering their ambition in the transfer market that summer with the reportedly inevitable arrival of Real Madrid’s Mesut Ozil, this was a terrible start for Arsenal. Villa’s opening day high was fleeting, as they would go on to finish 15th for the second consecutive season. Reports that Arsene Wenger’s reaction to the result was: “it’s a disgrace blud, you get me fam, Wenger out” remain unfounded.
George Kelsey
@GK_96Sport
A speculative effort at football journalism. 