The 2025-26 Premier League season kicked off with a bang, delivering stunning upsets, moments of individual brilliance, and last-gasp drama. A dream return for a newly-promoted side, a statement victory for a new manager in North London, and late heroics on the south coast set the tone for what promises to be another thrilling campaign. Here’s a roundup of the key action from the opening weekend.
Sunderland Stun West Ham in Dream Premier League Return
Sunderland marked their first game back in the top flight after an eight-year absence in the most spectacular fashion, stunning West Ham United with a 3-0 victory at a jubilant Stadium of Light.
After a tense and goalless first half, the Black Cats exploded into life after the break. Eliezer Mayenda sent the home crowd into raptures with a towering header just after the hour mark to open the scoring. Just 12 minutes later, playoff hero Dan Ballard doubled their lead with another fantastic header, before substitute and last season’s top scorer, Wilson Isidor, rounded out a magnificent day with a cool finish in stoppage time.
The victory was a testament to the work done by manager Regis Le Bris, who admitted his side were “a bit shy” in the first half but found their energy and togetherness after the break. For West Ham boss Graham Potter, however, it was a “very disappointing” start, lamenting his side’s failure to handle the “basics of football” in the second half.
Richarlison’s Scissor Kick Leads Frank’s Spurs to Winning Start
In North London, the Thomas Frank era at Tottenham Hotspur got off to a perfect start with a comfortable 3-0 home win over newly-promoted Burnley. The star of the show was undoubtedly Brazilian forward Richarlison, who looked reborn under the new manager.
Spurs started quickly, with Richarlison grabbing the first goal of the Frank era just 10 minutes in, volleying home instinctively from a clever assist by Mohammed Kudus. The duo combined again on the hour mark for a moment of magic; Kudus delivered a cross and Richarlison met it with a spectacular scissor kick that flew past the goalkeeper. The flourishing partnership between the two forwards will be a source of huge optimism for Spurs fans.
Brennan Johnson made sure of the three points six minutes later with a composed finish. While Burnley had their chances, they lacked a ruthless edge, leaving their manager Scott Parker to reflect on missed opportunities. For Spurs, it was a statement win ahead of a tough trip to Manchester City next weekend.
Muniz’s Last-Gasp Equalizer Rescues Point for Fulham at Brighton
The weekend’s most dramatic finish came at the Amex Stadium, where substitute Rodrigo Muniz scored a 96th-minute equalizer to rescue a dramatic 1-1 draw for Fulham against Brighton & Hove Albion.
In a cagey affair with few clear-cut chances, Brighton looked to have secured all three points when Matt O’Riley confidently converted a penalty early in the second half. The hosts controlled the game but failed to find a second goal to kill it off, a failure they would come to regret.
With virtually the last kick of the game, a Fulham corner was deflected towards the far post, where Muniz—a player who has been heavily linked with a move away from the club—controlled the ball and fired home to spark wild celebrations in the away end. The late goal was a sucker punch for Brighton, who will feel they dropped two points, but a precious reward for a Fulham side that dug deep and refused to give up.