Opening-weekend Premier League results produced immediate, exaggerated judgments after surprise wins and heavy defeats. Sunderland upset West Ham 3-0, prompting optimism about survival while West Ham faced sharp criticism. Brentford, Burnley and Everton suffered defeats that triggered relegation-fight talk. Manchester City dismantled Wolves 4-0 with two Erling Haaland goals, reinforcing their recent form and Golden Boot prospects. Liverpool beat Bournemouth 4-2 but revealed defensive frailties that cast doubt on a comfortable title run. Chelsea's 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace suggested a lack of direction. Historical precedent indicates opening-day results rarely predict season outcomes.
It would not be a Premier League opening week without football-starved fans and pundits leaping to some kneejerk conclusions. Sunderland, tipped by many to make a swift return to the Championship, caused the biggest upset of the weekend with a thumping 3-0 win over West Ham, marking their first Premier League success in the month of August since 2010. Suddenly Sunderland are being talked up as safe, West Ham as doomed, and Graham Potter already on borrowed time.
It was not just the bottom of the table making headlines; Pep Guardiola's six-time champions, Manchester City, ranked third favourites behind Arsenal and Liverpool for the title this season, swept aside Wolves 4-0 thanks to two goals from Erling Haaland. The result made them the Premier League's most in-form side over the last 20 games with 43 points, and reignited talk that City look back to their pre-Rodri injury best, with Haaland firmly on course for another Golden Boot.
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