Manchester United go top of the Premier League table after winning 3-1 against AFC Bournemouth on Sunday. Juan Mata scored the first United goal under Jose Mourinho era while new signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic also scored on his Premier League debut.
At Emirates, Liverpool came from behind to snatch a 4-3 victory against Arsenal in a thrilling contest. Philippe Coutinho scored twice for the Reds while new signing Sadio Mane got his name on the scoresheet as well.
EPL results from Sunday’s games:
Bournemouth 1-3 Manchester United
Arsenal 3-4 Liverpool
Opening Week Results From Saturday:
Hull City 2-1 Leicester City
Burnley 0-1 Swansea
Crystal Palace 0-1 West Brom
Everton 1-1 Tottenham
Middlesbrough 1-1 Stoke
Southampton 1-1 Watford
Man City 2-1 Sunderland
Latest Premier League Standings
Liverpool came away 4-3 winners at Arsenal after a thrilling opening game of their 2016-17 Premier League season. It was Arsène Wenger’s side who were on top for most of the first half and took the lead through Theo Walcott 68 seconds after the forward had seen a penalty saved by Simon Mignolet.
No goalkeeper has saved more penalties in the Premier League since 2012/13 than Simon Mignolet (5). pic.twitter.com/bQAjhCs3x9
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) August 14, 2016
The Gunners were without any experienced centre-backs, but it was a direct free kick which saw Liverpool head into half-time 1-1 thanks to a sublime strike by Philippe Coutinho into the top corner.
Philippe Coutinho: No player has scored more Premier League goals from outside the box since the start of last season than Coutinho (5)
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) August 14, 2016
Jürgen Klopp’s side came out all guns blazing after the break, scoring three times in 13 minutes. Adam Lallana gave the Reds the lead with a fine chest and finished soon after the restart.
Nathaniel Clyne then saw space down the right wing and picked out Philippe Coutinho for Liverpool’s third before a fine solo effort from Sadio Mané on his debut.
Sadio Mane’s game by numbers vs Arsenal:
93% pass accuracy
4 tackles won
4 take-ons
1 goalSome performance, that. pic.twitter.com/e70NCk1a1o
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) August 14, 2016
The build up to Coutinho’s second goal was certainly one of the highlights of the opening week. Liverpool were exquisite in their passing and took 19 passes before the Brazilian scored with a deft touch.
That second Philippe Coutinho goal in all its glory #AFCvLFChttps://t.co/FolCiSI1Ru pic.twitter.com/9qZF1nJCjj
— Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) August 14, 2016
Liverpool were made to hang on in the final 15 minutes after Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Calum Chambers reduced the deficit to 3-4.
The most Liverpool win you’ll ever see. This is going to an enjoyable/stressful season.
— Sachin Nakrani (@SachinNakrani) August 14, 2016
Liverpool have scored four goals on five occasions in 2016. Jurgen Klopp, the Reds manager is happy with the fact that his team has played a free-flowing football but believes that his side can do a lot better job defensively.
Manchester United go top of the EPL Table
Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored on his Premier League debut as Manchester United get their new season underway under Jose Mourinho with a 3-1 victory over Bournemouth.
With that goal, the 34-year-old Swede has now scored on his Premier League, Serie A, La Liga, Ligue 1 and Champions League debut.
Juan Mata gave United the lead going into the break. It was not only Manchester United’s first Premier League goal scored under Mourinho era but also Mata’s first under the Portuguese.
Juan Mata: Of the 3 Premier League goals Mata has scored in 2016, 2 have come in his last 4 appearances #BOUMUN
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) August 14, 2016
Wayne Rooney made it 2-0 for the visitors after the break although the United skipper looked far from his usual best. He has scored more opening day Premier League goals than any player except Alan Shearer and Frank Lampard, but there are concerns over his role in the United side.
Liam Canning, blogger and a Manchester United fan, believes that Rooney is holding United back. The United skipper slows the game and probably Mourinho should consider dropping him.
Rooney scoring doesn’t change what’s so blindingly obvious. He slows the game up, he’s poor in possession and he restricts players.
— Liam Canning (@OffsideLiam) August 14, 2016
Bournemouth pulled one back in the 69th minute after Adam Smith scored a wonderful goal but it was all but a mere consolation for the Cherries.
Check Bournemouth vs Manchester United highlights here.
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