Running analysis from opening weekend of Premier League season

theScore provides key takeaways and analysis from the opening round of the 2025-26 Premier League season. Check in throughout the weekend for thoughts on every match as we raise the curtain on another campaign.

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Saturday

Reijnders destined for huge Man City role

Manchester City were less proactive and effective in the transfer market during Txiki Begiristain's final couple of years as sporting director. High-achieving players slowed in their 30s and their successors either weren't there at all or weren't good enough. The man who replaced Begiristain, Hugo Viana, is trying to address that, with Tijjani Reijnders' Ilkay Gundogan-esque contributions being one notable example.

Reijnders can be the needle and thread that stitches together a possession-based team. He occupies similar positions to Saturday's unused substitute Gundogan, and his smoothness with the ball and appreciation of tactics could make him one of the key executors of Pep Guardiola's game plans. Reijnders' best Gundogan impression was his imaginative chipped ball ahead of Rico Lewis before Erling Haaland's opener, but the dribble that preceded his pass hinted that he could be a slicker mover than the German in his peak. And while an on-form Gundogan regularly pops up with goals and provides chances due to his intelligent movement and timing, Reijnders offers more thrust when he detects space. The Dutchman sprinted forward when there was a turnover in the center circle before his goal and carried the team upfield before his assist for Haaland.

Reijnders is the second City player to get at least one goal and one assist on his Premier League debut since Sergio Aguero in 2011.

Richarlison rejuvenated

Just a few weeks ago, it seemed like a guarantee that Richarlison would leave Tottenham this summer. The enigmatic Brazilian was a nonfactor last season. He played only 504 Premier League minutes, starting four times and registering four goals in the process. After one match of the new campaign, he's halfway to matching that scoring tally. Richarlison, picked over Dominic Solanke just as he was in the Super Cup, scored two excellent goals in Spurs' win, including a sensational scissor kick. His hold-up play was solid, and he used his physicality to unsettle the Burnley backline. Both tallies were assisted by Mohammed Kudus, who already looks like a fan favorite.

Tottenham should score plenty under Thomas Frank, especially if they can add either Eberechi Eze or Savinho (or both) to this group. The real test will be whether they can improve defensively. Burnley are maybe the worst measuring stick in the league in that regard. Next week's meeting with Manchester City will be much more informative for Spurs.

Where will Burnley's goals come from?

Burnley's outstanding 100-point Championship campaign, and subsequent promotion back to the Premier League, was built on their defense. They conceded only 16 goals in 46 matches last year. That's obviously not sustainable with the jump up to the top tier, so Scott Parker needs to offset some of that with more goals at the other end. Therein lies the problem: Who's going to score them?

Opening the season away against Europa League holders Tottenham was a tall order, but the early evidence validated the concerns about the Clarets going into the season. While they created some promising openings, the likes of Lyle Foster, Jaidon Anthony, and Hannibal Mejbri lacked any kind of scoring instinct inside the box when they got there. Burnley's great hope is that new signing Armando Broja will fix that problem, but we're talking about a player with eight Premier League goals to his name in the past four seasons combined. It's going to be a long year for the Clarets.

An early relegation six-pointer?

Sunderland matched the celebratory mood at the Stadium of Light with an encouraging victory over West Ham. Regis Le Bris felt like a hipster appointment when he was brought in last summer after failing to prevent Lorient's relegation to Ligue 2, but his reputation for attractive soccer and nurturing youngsters was enhanced during last season's promotion. The regard for Le Bris' work could now skyrocket in the top tier. Sunderland's aggressive offseason recruitment drive has added extremely watchable individuals to Le Bris' squad - most notably, ex-Brighton & Hove Albion winger Simon Adingra - but it was fitting that the Black Cats' goals were scored by three stars of last season: Eliezer Mayenda, Dan Ballard, and Wilson Isidor.

A big question ahead of this season was whether all three promoted sides would immediately drop back down for the third straight campaign. Sunderland submitted a convincing argument that it won't happen again - and so did West Ham. The Irons, playing in their 14th consecutive Premier League season, followed a concerning summer of business with a pitiful display. On this viewing, West Ham are in big trouble.

Muniz underlines his quality

The fans even serenaded him while he sat on the bench during the first half. Rodrigo Muniz has been subject of reported interest from Atalanta for some time and is apparently in favor of a move to Italy, but the forward's popularity among Fulham supporters endures. And it's completely understandable: He's a physical and committed player capable of defending from the front, repeatedly winning aerial duels, and cramming goals into his limited minutes. Muniz scored eight times last season, including goals against all six English clubs competing in the Champions League this term, despite starting just eight Premier League matches.

Muniz punished Brighton's failure to double their lead with an equalizer just as the clock ticked onto 96 minutes. It wasn't a classic goal by any means, but the substitute's anticipation, willingness to battle, and ability to slap the ball home at crucial moments were evident. He'll be a valuable asset wherever he's playing after September's international break.

Isak's absence looms large

This one isn't rocket science. Disgruntled striker Alexander Isak was left out of Newcastle's squad for Saturday's match as he continues to push for a transfer to Liverpool. The Magpies missed him dearly. Eddie Howe, who's saying all the right things but must be deeply frustrated by the situation, started three wingers up front at Villa Park, with Anthony Gordon acting as the de facto striker between Harvey Barnes and Anthony Elanga. Newcastle dominated play - they outshot the hosts 16-3 overall and generated 1.47 expected goals - but lacked finishing touch inside the penalty area, with both Elanga and Gordon spurning chances. Even playing against 10 men after Ezri Konsa was sent off in the 66th minute, Newcastle struggled; they had just one shot on target after the red card.

Isak scored 23 Premier League goals last season, second only to Mohamed Salah. That production isn't easily replaceable. Finding another forward with a similar skill set will be almost impossible in the transfer market; Yoane Wissa, strongly linked with a transfer, would be a nice addition, but he's another predominantly wide forward. The best outcome would be for the Swede and Newcastle to repair their fractured relationship.

Friday

Slot still seeking balance

Liverpool are a wicked, relentless attacking team. Even if they don't land Isak - who they might not need if Federico Chiesa can stay healthy and contribute - the Reds are going to score lots of goals this season. They're also going to concede plenty. We saw it during preseason, and those suspicions manifested in the Premier League opener. Liverpool lined up with at least six attack-minded players at Anfield - seven if you include nominal "defender" Jeremie Frimpong - and their performance reflected that.

Bournemouth punished them twice on the counter, exploiting enormous space behind the full-back for the first goal and a chasm in central midfield for the second. The return of Ryan Gravenberch from suspension will help address some of that, but not all of it. Ibrahima Konate, who looked sluggish and indecisive against the Cherries, will need to be at his best all season with the sheer amount of open space he's being asked to cover on his own.

If anything, Friday's emotional curtain-raiser could convince Liverpool to expedite a move for Marc Guehi. But this appears to be a stylistic issue more than a personnel problem. Slot needs to decide quickly if he's willing to sacrifice some attacking aggression for more defensive solidity. Otherwise, Liverpool will spend much of the season trying to outscore their defensive frailties.

Semenyo stands tall

Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola challenged Antoine Semenyo to be a leader for his team following a summer in which the attacker signed a new contract. Liverpool, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur were all linked with the Ghanaian, but he committed his future to the Cherries to end transfer speculation. Now, Semenyo is stepping up - and in much more testing ways than his boss had envisioned.

The opening match of the season was delayed during the first half after Semenyo reported to the referee that he was a victim of racist abuse. Some players would've understandably been distraught and distracted by such vile treatment, but Semenyo responded by producing two quality second-half goals after rapid Bournemouth breakaways. It was a display of unfathomable strength from a supremely talented player and, of course, a leader.