The first Sunday of the new Premier League season delivered late drama, stirring comebacks and a statement win, with Manchester City and Liverpool both scoring deep into stoppage time while Brighton produced a ruthless 4-0 demolition of Aston Villa.For Enzo Maresca, it was the perfect start to life as Manchester City manager. City scored twice in the final 10 minutes to overturn Bournemouth and seal a 2-1 victory, while Liverpool needed a ninth-minute stoppage-time penalty from Dominik Szoboszlai to snatch a 2-2 draw at Newcastle.
Maresca gets dream City start
Maresca, who replaced Pep Guardiola, had endured a difficult first competitive outing when City lost 0-3 to Arsenal in the Community Shield last weekend. His Premier League debut looked set to end in disappointment after Bournemouth took the lead, but City found another gear late on.Marc Guehi equalised in the 84th minute with a header from a corner before Josko Gvardiol completed the turnaround in the first minute of added time. The goal was initially ruled out for offside but was awarded after a video review.Maresca punched the air before heading onto the pitch after the final whistle to embrace his players.“It is the perfect day, to be honest,” Maresca said. “I was very pleased when the game started to see the banner on the other side. And I was pleased because we give them the joy of the three points. “It was quite emotional and the perfect day.”The Italian had earlier surprised by deploying Guehi, a centre-back, as a holding midfielder. The decision looked questionable initially but Guehi grew into the role. Erling Haaland, meanwhile, endured a frustrating afternoon and failed to score in a Premier League season opener for the first time since joining City in 2022.
Szoboszlai saves Liverpool at Newcastle
Liverpool also needed a dramatic late intervention to avoid defeat at Newcastle in a match that featured tributes to former England and Newcastle and Liverpool star Kevin Keegan, who died last month aged 75.Anthony Elanga gave Newcastle the lead in the fifth minute before Cody Gakpo equalised early in the second half. Joe Willock restored Newcastle’s advantage just moments after coming off the bench, setting up a frantic finale.Liverpool were handed a lifeline when debutant Victor Munoz was fouled inside the area. After a video review lasting three-and-a-half minutes, the penalty was confirmed, allowing Szoboszlai to step up and smash an unstoppable effort into the top corner in the ninth minute of stoppage time.“I really hit it good,” the Hungary captain said. “I love the pressure.”The game also saw Alexander Isak endure a hostile reception from Newcastle supporters following his move away from the club.
Brighton tear Villa apart
Brighton made the biggest statement of the day, scoring four times inside the opening 31 minutes to crush Aston Villa 4-0.Brighton’s sharpness was evident after their midweek European qualifying action, while Villa struggled badly after a difficult offseason. Their misery increased when Joao Gomes was sent off in the 40th minute for kicking out at Georginio Rutter.Villa were unable to recover, although Brighton failed to add to their tally after the dismissal.The day ended on a sombre note when a 72-year-old Brighton supporter died after falling ill while leaving the Amex Stadium following the victory.Despite efforts from emergency services and club staff, the supporter could not be saved. Brighton chief executive Paul Barber said: “we are all shocked and saddened by the loss of one of our supporters.”
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