Data analysis & news on the Premier League
23 Aug 2026
The 2026/27 Premier League season kicked off with massive upsets as newly promoted Hull City and Ipswich Town both secured dream opening-day victories. In the biggest shock of the weekend, Hull City stunned Michael Carrick’s Manchester United 2-0 at the MKM Stadium. First-half goals from Semi Ajayi and club-record signing Nobel Mendy earned the Tigers their first league win over the Red Devils since 1974. Despite Marcus Rashford making his first Premier League appearance since late 2024, United suffered a dismal start to their campaign. Meanwhile, fellow newcomers Ipswich Town celebrated a dramatic 2-1 victory over Sunderland at Portman Road. Under the guidance of Gary O’Neil, the Tractor Boys snatched all three points thanks to a 90th-minute heartbreaker from former Black Cat Jack Clarke. Elsewhere, Brentford dismantled Roberto De Zerbi’s Tottenham Hotspur 3-0. Club-record signing Mamadou Sangare dominated on his debut, setting up Keane Lewis-Potter’s opener before Vitaly Janelt and Michael Kayode sealed the rout. Spurs, fielding a youthful Archie Gray as their youngest-ever captain, looked severely disjointed amid ongoing injury woes. In other fixtures, Leeds United edged Nottingham Forest 1-0 courtesy of a brilliant 88th-minute free-kick from set-piece specialist Anton Stach, handing new Forest boss Oliver Glasner a disappointing debut. Finally, Everton cruised past Crystal Palace 2-0 with goals from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Thierno Barry. However, the match was unfortunately overshadowed by a serious knee injury to Palace defender Chadi Riad, who was stretchered off in tears.
