Arne Slot got off to a winning Premier League start as Liverpool manager thanks to two quickfire goals from Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah in a 2-0 win at newly-promoted Ipswich on Saturday. Slot has the unenviable task of succeeding Jurgen Klopp at Anfield, but the Dutchman will have been heartened by a commanding second-half performance.

“The first taste in the first half was maybe as expected because they were all on top of us, very aggressive. Second half was a joy to watch,” said Slot.

Ipswich were riding the crest of a wave after back-to-back promotions and a return to the Premier League for the first time in 22 years. Celebrity fan and minority owner Ed Sheeran was in attendance at Portman Road, although the singer-songwriter had to leave at half-time to attend a gig in Serbia.

Sheeran saw the best of the Tractor Boys, who were far from overawed by their illustrious opponents early on. Omari Hutchinson had a shot blocked inside two minutes before Jacob Greaves headed the best chance of the first half too close to Alisson Becker.

Slot is the only new face at Anfield as Liverpool are the only side in the Premier League yet to make a signing in the transfer window. The need for some fresh faces was shown in a sloppy and slow first 45 minutes on the ball.

However, Slot’s half-time team talk did the trick as the Reds were a different side after the break and could have ran out far more convincing winners. “First thing was we don’t have to speak about tactics if you lose so many duels,” added Slot.

“I think we needed to win the long balls through the air. That helped and gave us control. I don’t think Ipswich could keep up with the tempo in the second half.”

Greaves needed to make a vital clearance to prevent Salah’s effort curling in at the far corner. But Liverpool also had a narrow escape as a potential penalty for a Virgil van Dijk push on Liam Delap was ruled out for a marginal offside in the build-up.

Luis Diaz missed a glorious chance to open the scoring when he scooped over from close range after wonderful play from Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dominik Szoboszlai to tee up the Colombian. Alexander-Arnold’s teasing cross was then headed wide by Jota with the goal gaping.

Liverpool’s pressure finally told on the hour mark as another defence-splitting pass from Alexander-Arnold opened up Ipswich and Salah unselfishly squared for Jota to make amends for his earlier miss. Five minutes later it was 2-0 as Salah pounced to score for the ninth time on the opening weekend of the season for Liverpool after a one-two with Szoboszlai.

Ipswich goalkeeper Christian Walton made a string of saves in the closing stages, notably from Salah and Conor Bradley, to prevent a more embarrassing opening day defeat. Kieran McKenna’s men had been unbeaten at home in the league for nearly 12 months.

But Ipswich were given an early lesson in the gulf in quality between the Championship and Premier League. Things will not get any easier for Ipswich next weekend when they travel to defending champions Manchester City.

Liverpool, on the other hand, have the chance to build up some early momentum under Slot. Either side of a trip to Manchester United next month, they face Brentford, Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth, Wolves and Crystal Palace in their next six Premier League games before the October international break.

Arsenal made a flying start to their bid to win the Premier League title as goals from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka sealed a 2-0 victory against Wolves on Saturday. Germany forward Havertz put Mikel Arteta‘s side ahead in the first half at the Emirates Stadium and England winger Saka wrapped up the points after the interval. It was exactly the kind of statement Arsenal needed after Arteta admitted they will have to be almost perfect to end Manchester City’s four-year reign as champions.

Arsenal enjoyed a record-breaking 2023/24 campaign, winning more games than ever before in the division, but were still pipped to the title.

City finished two points above Arsenal as the Gunners were forced to settle for a runners-up berth for a second successive season. Arsenal haven’t won the title since Arsene Wenger’s ‘Invincibles’ went unbeaten through the 2003-04 league campaign.

But the painful near-misses endured by Arteta’s men have not dulled their appetite for success, with Arteta’s quirky man-management fuelling the fire. Arteta hired a group of professional pickpockets to teach his squad a valuable lesson in the close-season.

Unaware of the pickpockets’ presence at a team dinner, Arsenal’s players were relieved of their valuables as Arteta took the opportunity to remind them to be alert at all times, on and off the pitch. Stealing the Premier League title from City won’t be so easy for Arteta.

Arteta has so far opted against signing the striker that many regard as the missing piece in Arsenal’s title jigsaw. Riccardo Calafiori was Arteta’s major close-season signing from Bologna, but the Italy defender was only named on the bench.

Arteta has been linked with Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino but despite the call for new recruits, there was scant evidence of any Arsenal flaws in the north London sunshine.

Thunderous strike

The Gunners were quickly on the front foot as Ben White’s deflected effort was saved by Jose Sa. Saka forced Sa into a fine stop moments later as the Wolves keeper sprawled to keep out a low drive.

Arsenal had all the momentum against a Wolves side with little creative ambition and it was no surprise when they took the lead in the 25th minute. As he was so often last season, Saka was the catalyst with a pin-point cross that picked out Havertz, who applied the finishing touch with a clinical header.

After showing little attacking ambition, Wolves were woken from their slumber by Havertz’s opener. Jean-Ricner Bellegarde’s fierce long-range strike flashed just over before Jorgen Strand Larse’s header drew an agile save from David Raya.

Arsenal still finished the half in the ascendency as Declan Rice‘s flick reached Gabriel Martinelli and his curler deflected narrowly over. On top again after the interval, Arteta’s side went close through Havertz’s chip before Thomas Partey drilled just wide.

Arsenal briefly lost their composure as Rayan Ait-Nouri’s 25-yard strike whistled past the post. Matheus Cunha shot straight at Raya after Arsenal gave the ball away at the back.

But the Gunners finished strongly and Martin Odegaard‘s effort was pushed out by Sa before Saka struck in the 74th minute. A flowing move climaxed with Saka lashing a thunderous strike past Sa as Arsenal underlined their desire to wrestle the title away from City.

Joshua Zirkzee made himself a Manchester United hero on his debut with a late winner to beat Fulham 1-0 in the opening match of the Premier League season on Friday. Zirkzee, lacking match fitness after his £36.5m ($47 million) move from Bologna last month, came on only for the final half hour. The Dutch international saved the Red Devils from a frustrating evening at Old Trafford when he poked in Alejandro Garnacho‘s cross on 87 minutes.

“To win here in my first home game and to grab a goal, it couldn’t be better,” said Zirkzee.

“I’ve been told (scoring at the Stretford End) is one of the best feelings at Manchester United. I’m so thankful and blessed I could experience it in my first game. It’s an amazing feeling.”

United boss Erik ten Hag survived at the end of last season, despite finishing eighth in the Premier League, thanks to winning the FA Cup.

Whether that shock victory over rivals and English champions Manchester City in May could be a springboard is yet to be found out after a performance that was eerily reminiscent of many last season.

“I have seen many spaces where we have to improve but that is normal,” said Ten Hag. “It (the win) is good to strengthen the belief.”

The Dutchman revealed on the eve of the game that his side were “not ready” for the new campaign with key players missing through injury or a lack of match fitness, and it showed.

Bruno Fernandes started in a centre-forward role in the absence of Rasmus Hojlund, while Zirkzee was on the bench after returning to pre-season late following Euro 2024.

Noussair Mazraoui was thrown straight into the starting line-up at left-back after joining from Bayern Munich this week.

But there was no place in the squad for Jadon Sancho even though the winger and Ten Hag appeared to have settled their differences.

Fulham won at Old Trafford last season for the first time in 20 years in February during a torrid campaign for United.

Little seemed to have changed in the opening 20 minutes as the visitors started confidently and Andre Onana did well to prevent Kenny Tete’s dipping effort finding the top corner.

But United grew into the game after a slow start.

‘Kill in the box’

Twice Fernandes missed huge chances by firing too close to Bernd Leno before the German goalkeeper spread himself brilliantly to this time deny Mason Mount a rare goal since his move from Chelsea just over a year ago.

“We created a lot of chances and we should have scored earlier,” added Ten Hag. “That is the only criticism of the team: kill in the box!”

Ten Hag turned to Garnacho and Zirkzee from the bench in the search of a winner.

In doing so United left themselves open and Fulham could have secured another famous three points at the Theatre of Dreams.

Andreas Pereira’s poor pass cost Alex Iwobi the chance to run clean through on goal.

Moments later Lisandro Martinez produced a goal-saving clearance from Pereira’s dangerous low cross.

Instead it was the home side that snatched all three points.

Garnacho’s ball from the right was not the best, but Zirkzee managed to get a toe on it to divert it beyond Leno into the far corner.

United should have had a second in stoppage time when Garnacho somehow skewed wide with an open goal to aim at from Marcus Rashford‘s unselfish pass.

But United held on to give Ten Hag the winning start he badly needed.

File image of Manchester City.© AFP

Riccardo Calafiori and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.© X (Twitter)

Southampton clinched promotion back to the Premier League after a one-year exile as Adam Armstrong sealed a 1-0 win against Leeds in the Championship play-off final on Sunday. Armstrong’s first-half strike at Wembley ensured Southampton erased the bitter taste of last year’s relegation from the top-flight with an immediate return. Victory in football’s single richest match will give Southampton an estimated £140 million ($178 million) windfall due to the increases in matchday, broadcast and commercial revenue for clubs who reach the Premier League.

Financial experts Deloitte say Southampton could eventually bank £305 million if they avoid relegation next season.

While the cash prize is a huge bonus, it is the prestige of competing with Manchester City and Arsenal, rather than second-tier minnows like Plymouth and Oxford, that fuelled Southampton’s hunger to regain their Premier League status after a year in purgatory.

Southampton, whose only major honour is the 1976 FA Cup, had spent 11 years in the Premier League prior to their relegation.

They will hope this success, celebrated by over 35,000 of their fans at Wembley, is the prelude to another lengthy spell among the elite.

In their first ever play-off final, Southampton made it three wins over Leeds this term despite finishing three points behind the Elland Road club in the regular season.

Saints boss Russell Martin has become widely admired for his purist passing principles and this was the 38-year-old’s crowning glory.

Martin was managing in League One with Milton Keynes Dons just three years ago, but he has transformed Southampton in his first season in charge, to such an extent that they boasted more possession than any team in Europe’s top five leagues this season.

“I’m so pleased for the board because I was not an exciting appointment for them. I finished 10th at Swansea, but we had a really clear way of doing things at MK (Dons) and here, so for them to take me on was really brave,” Martin said.

“We had to do this to justify their decision. I feel really emotional about it.

“The team have been so brave. I’m really grateful and proud of them. They deserve it.”

Securing promotion at Leeds boss Daniel Farke’s expense was a sweet moment for Martin after his Norwich contract was terminated by the German during their time together at Carrow Road in 2018.

Defeat was a bitter blow for Farke and Leeds, who were relegated alongside Southampton last season.

– Back to the promised land –

American socialite Paris Hilton and movie star Will Ferrell — a minority shareholder in the club — had made good luck videos for Farke’s side, but there was no Hollywood ending for Leeds.

On the 35th anniversary of the death of their legendary manager Don Revie, Leeds were well below their best in the club’s fourth play-off final loss.

After losing their grip on an automatic promotion place that went instead to Ipswich, the three-time English champions remain without a win at Wembley since 1992.

Leeds made a fast start but Southampton weathered the storm and snatched the lead in the 24th minute.

Armstrong had scored twice in the play-off semi-final win over West Brom and the striker showcased his predatory instincts again with his 24th goal this season.

Cleverly eluding the Leeds offside trap with a well-timed run, Armstrong met Will Smallbone’s pass with a superb strike into the far corner from 12 yards.

Leeds were rocked and Armstrong nearly struck again from another instinctive shot from Smallbone’s quick free-kick, but this time Illan Meslier was able to parry his close-range effort.

Early in the second half, Leeds defender Joe Rodon embarked on a rampaging run that looked certain to end in a goal until Taylor Harwood-Bellis threw himself into a last-ditch block.

Leeds pushed hard for an equaliser, but Daniel James’ blast cannoned back off the bar before the winger was denied by Alex McCarthy’s stoppage-time save as Southampton celebrated their return to the promised land.