Premier League's greatest opening day moments – from David Beckham's halfway line lob to Jurgen Klinsmann celebration

The Sun

18-06-2025

THE Premier League fixtures have been released, with a blockbuster clash between Manchester United and Arsenal set to light up the opening weekend.
Next season will kick off with a bang as under-pressure Ruben Amorim prepares his side to host the Gunners.
8
Elsewhere champions Liverpool will begin their title defence with a Friday night Bournemouth clash, before new boys Sunderland return to the Prem following eight years away by hosting West Ham.
Whether bathed in August sunshine, or British summer drizzle, fans can look forward to some memorable clashes right from the word go.
In years gone by there have been some remarkable opening day moments, from incredible goals to late drama.
Upon today's fixture release, let's take a walk along memory lane and relive some of the amazing opening days of years gone by.
1996-97 - Beckham's halfway line goal
Where else to start but with Golden Balls?
Becks was already a star prior to Man Utd's trip to Selhurst Park to face Wimbledon on Saturday, 16 August 1996.
But his incredible, audacious goal from the halfway line helped to catapult him into a household name all over the country.
At the time, Sir Alex Ferguson gushed: "You have seen the goal of the season already. I have never seen it done before. Pele is the only one who came close to doing the same."
Who are we to argue with the most decorated Prem manager of all time?
8
1994-95 - The Klinsmann dive
Jurgen Klinsmann arrived in England in the summer of 1994 with the reputation of a goalscorer, diver and cheat... and perhaps not in that order.
The German forward had appeared on English TV screens at the previous two World Cups, with a theatrical fall in the 1990 World Cup final to get Pedro Monzon sent off not being forgotten.
Nevertheless, Klinsmann was a huge coup for Spurs, who despite finishing 15th the previous season had managed to lure one of the continent's most clinical strikers from Monaco to White Hart Lane.
On his debut in a 4-3 win at Sheffield Wednesday on August 20, 1994, Klinsmann scored a sensational header to open his Tottenham account - before poking fun at his reputation by performing a celebratory dive in front of the boo boys in the home end.
With the celebration quickly entering Prem folklore, Klinsmann went on to reveal: "(Teddy) Sheringham had the idea. If you score today, we'll all dive.' The wonderful thing was that the rival fans even laughed about it."
8
2016-17 - Mane's debut delight
Jurgen Klopp 's first full season in charge of Liverpool began with a tricky-looking trip to Arsene Wenger 's Arsenal.
And while the Reds didn't go on win the title that year, Klopp's men gave a brilliant sign of things to come as they blitzed the Gunners 4-3 on their own turf.
The pick of the bunch was Sadio Mane 's sensational debut goal, with the summer arrival from Southampton burning the Arsenal defence before whacking an unstoppable left-footed shot into the net.
Klopp celebrated the goal wildly, and even went on to admit that his manic response contributed to Arsenal getting back into the game.
On Mane's impact at Anfield, the German boss reflected in 2022: "One of Liverpool's greatest ever players is leaving and we must acknowledge how significant this is. He leaves with our gratitude and our love."
2014-15 - Dier breaks Hammers hearts
In the summer of 2014, Mauricio Pochettino took over at Tottenham - arriving from a rival Prem club to try and clear up the North Londoners' mess, sound familiar?
The game got off to a less than ideal start for the Argentine, with Kyle Naughton being sent off for handling in the box on 29 minutes.
Pochettino reshuffled his pack, putting 20-year-old debutant Eric Dier at right-back - and subsequently watched Mark Noble miss his spot kick.
Amazingly the game finished 10v10, with James Collins sent off for the home side. Dier went on to be the unlikely hero, skipping past Adrian to score following Harry Kane 's brilliant through ball.
After the game, Pochettino gushed: "It was a great goal by Eric Dier. He showed, and we showed, that we are ambitious. We played like a team and that is important."
8
2011-22 - Sergio Aguer-woah!
Sergio Aguero did not take long to announce himself to English football.
The Argentine superstar arrived at Manchester City from Atletico Madrid to high expectations in the summer of 2011.
Aguero immediately impressed after being brought on against Swansea with his side leading 1-0.
The livewire forward took just nine minutes to poke home his first of what would go on to be 260 City goals.
And in stoppage time, he blasted home a beauty to cap off a brilliant 4-0 win for Roberto Mancini 's men.
The result went on to be a sign of things to come, with the Billionaire Sky Blues going on to dramatically pinch the title from rivals Man Utd... Aguero scoring the all important last-gasp goal to clinch it on the final day.
8
1999-00 - Poyet's beauty
Uruguayan midfielder Gus Poyet scored an iconic goal for Chelsea on the opening day of the 1999-00 season.
While not scaling the heights that they would in the following decade, the Blues had grown in stature during the 1990s - largely owing to the genius of Gianfranco Zola.
During this 4-0 stomping of Sunderland, Zola was in imperious form.
The tricky Italian produced a sensational assist for his side's fourth goal, delicately scooping the ball into the penalty area.
Poyet took it from there, finishing with an electrifying scissor kick.
2004-05 - Mourinho arrives
Five years on from Poyet's brilliant opening day goal, Chelsea were welcoming new boss Jose Mourinho to Stamford Bridge.
The Portuguese didn't shy away from the spotlight, to put it mildly, declaring during his opening press conference: "Please don't call me arrogant, because what I'm saying is true. I'm European champion, and I think I'm a special one."
Mourinho's big statement was immediately put to the test, as he began with a tricky home assignment against Sir Alex Ferguson 's Man Utd.
The Blues won the contest 1-0 thanks to Eidur Gudjohnsen's scrappy 15th minute goal, with Mourinho admitting after the game: "Mr Ferguson pushed me to make changes that normally I don't do to play a safer match - and in fact the team defended very, very, very well."
Chelsea's stingy defence went on to concede just 15 times across the whole season, a record that still stands to this day, with Mourinho's Blues going on to win their first league title in 50 years.
8