Premier League history was made before a ball was even kicked this season as a record nine clubs started the season with new managers.
Marco Rose, the new manager of Bournemouth, came within six minutes of starting his Premier League career with a statement win at Manchester City, only to concede two late goals to suffer a heartbreaking loss.
Rose will have been frustrated at the manner of City's goals, with Marc Guehi unmarked at a corner for the equaliser and a slow reaction for Josko Gvardiol's stoppage time winner. However, he was also shown in those first 84 minutes that he has plenty of materials to work with in a Cherries side that finished sixth last season.
Xabi Alonso's Chelsea side took the lead after 31 seconds, but there was obvious good and obvious bad in what he watched at Craven Cottage. The attacking triumvirate of Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro, and newcomer Morgan Rogers hit the ground running, all scoring and combining to devastating effect.
However, Chelsea's Premier League chances and the Alonso revival could be the failure to find a better goalkeeper than the unreliable Robert Sanchez, who was at fault for both Fulham goals. Alonso must find an answer quickly, otherwise what Palmer, Joao Pedro, and Rogers give with one hand Sanchez could take away with both hands.
Pierre Sage's Crystal Palace side had chances in the opening period to set up their first win at Everton since 2014, but they ultimately fell short. Sage's unhappy opening weekend will not have been helped by a contract row surrounding striker Jean-Phillipe Mateta that puts his future in question.
Alvaro Arbeloa's Fulham side conceded within the first minute, which did not help his cause as he builds after taking over from Marco Silva. Arbeloa will be delighted that young debutant Gonzalo Garcia got off the mark, but it was more of a struggle for another new arrival from Real Madrid, Cesar Palacios.
Gary O'Neil's Ipswich Town side backed Kieran McKenna's successor with big money in the transfer market, £150m on a dozen signings, and O'Neil was rewarded with a vital victory against Sunderland. O'Neil will have been delighted with the impact of Julio Enciso, who he worked with at Strasbourg, and his early partnership with Brazilian striker Emersonn.
Andoni Iraola's Liverpool side were spared the ignominy of defeat in his first Premier League game since succeeding Arne Slot by Dominik Szoboszlai's 99th minute penalty. However, this was a sobering fact-finding mission for the new man in charge at Anfield, with both Newcastle United's goals being hauntingly familiar to those who watched Liverpool's title defence collapse under Slot last season.
The draw at Newcastle was a red flag showing Iraola needs to find an internal solution which is not currently obvious. Iraola has suggested Liverpool will not strengthen in midfield with a 'number 6' type defensively-minded player, but this early evidence suggests he should.
Source: Yahoo Sports
