Everton 2-0 Crystal Palace
Everton made an impressive start to life at their new Hill Dickinson Stadium with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace, reports BritPanorama.
The hosts took control of the contest before half-time and were rewarded when Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall broke the deadlock in the 42nd minute. Everton was consistently the greater attacking threat and went into the interval with a deserved lead.
Thierno Barry then doubled the advantage eight minutes into the second half, putting Everton firmly in command and leaving Palace facing an uphill battle. Crystal Palace struggled to find a way back into the game, and their afternoon worsened with an injury to defender Chadi Riad, who was stretchered off.
Everton saw out the remainder of the match with relative comfort, marking a memorable first Premier League victory at their new home.
Ipswich Town 2-1 Sunderland
Ipswich Town marked their return to the Premier League with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Sunderland at Portman Road.
The newly promoted hosts made a perfect start when Emerson put Ipswich ahead in the first half. Sunderland responded quickly, with Angulo restoring parity before the interval.
The contest remained finely balanced after the break, with both sides aware of the importance of taking points from this opening-day encounter, likely to be critical as they battle for survival in the league.
As the match approached its conclusion, Ipswich ultimately had the final say, as Jack Clarke struck late to secure all three points against his former club. This result provides new Ipswich boss Gary O’Neil with a winning start and gives the Tractor Boys an immediate boost following their promotion back to the top flight.
Nottingham Forest 0-1 Leeds United
Leeds United produced a composed away performance to edge past Nottingham Forest 1-0, thereby spoiling Oliver Glasner’s first Premier League match in charge of the hosts.
Forest enjoyed periods of pressure but struggled to convert possession and territory into a decisive breakthrough. Leeds remained disciplined and appeared increasingly capable of snatching victory as the match wore on.
The decisive moment arrived in the 88th minute when Anton Stach delivered a late free-kick that found the net, sparking jubilant celebrations from the travelling Leeds support.
Forest were left with little time to respond, and Leeds held on to secure three valuable points on the opening weekend. For Glasner, the defeat represents a frustrating beginning to his Forest tenure, while Leeds can reflect on a highly effective away display capped by Stach’s dramatic late winner.
In a season that promises both triumph and strife, these opening fixtures serve as reminders of the unpredictable nature of the Premier League and the sheer determination required to rise to the occasion.
