The opening day of a new Premier League season is not a time to draw conclusions.
Teams are still finding their feet and managers are often far from settling on their best starting XI.
But that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the opening weekend for what it is – a chance to welcome back competitive top-level football after weeks of keeping ourselves occupied in other ways.
The Premier League is back, and it's a monumental good thing. pic.twitter.com/kgemLVtxut
— JOE (@JOE_co_uk) August 8, 2015
There were many new additions after a 2014/15 campaign which left some wanting more.
More than 100 new players have been brought in by top-flight clubs, while this weekend also marked the dawn of the team and fixture hashflags.
No woman #NorCry
— Winging It: A Crystal Palace Podcast (@WingingItCPFC) August 8, 2015
Manchester United welcomed Spurs to Old Trafford in the early kick-off, but it proved to be a tepid affair with only one particularly notable moment.
Kyle Walker had the first shot on target of the PL season, then scored an own goal 241 seconds later.
— Duncan Alexander (@oilysailor) August 8, 2015
The 3:00 games started at a much faster pace, though, with Leicester and Watford both opening up early leads.
Miguel Layun scores, Jon Toral scores, what a day for footballers who have been interviewed by me.
— Jack Pitt-Brooke (@JackPittBrooke) August 8, 2015
https://twitter.com/TheM_L_G/status/630044748145889280
Miguel Layun gave the Hornets an early lead at Everton, but it was Leicester who really impressed early on, racing into a 3-0 lead at home to Sunderland.
Have a feeling most of this season will be spent saying 'at least I'm not a Sunderland fan'.
— Game of Throw-ins (@GameofThrowIns) August 8, 2015
Elsewhere, a very new-look Aston Villa took on Bournemouth
erm so has anyone else not heard of all these aston villa players
— charlie (@Ordnances) August 8, 2015
While the third of the promoted teams, Norwich, took on Crystal Palace at Carrow Road,.
Cameron Jerome as the bookmakers' favourite to score first in a Premier League game. Welcome back football.
— Daniel Storey (@danielstorey85) August 8, 2015
Heading into the late kickoff between Chelsea and Swansea, Leicester sat atop the table after a 4-2 win. Palace, Villa and Man United occupied the other Champions League places with Watford and Everton just behind after their 2-2 draw.
It looked as though Leicester’s new boss Claudio Ranieri has been settling in well already.
Things you’d never expect Ranieri to say. pic.twitter.com/wofCuijtH5
— James Horncastle (@JamesHorncastle) August 8, 2015
There was a scare for fantasy football managers around the country around 5:15, as Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois picked up an injury in the warm-up.
https://twitter.com/cavanide_/status/630051500685922304
He was ultimately ruled fit to play, only to then get himself sent off in a 2-2 draw.
https://twitter.com/cavanide_/status/630071554567749632
Of course, while this season may be a chance for some to turn over a new leaf, some things never change.
Nice to see Chelsea players surrounding the referee to praise him for his marvellous officiating
— Michael Cox (@Zonal_Marking) August 8, 2015
