New manager Louis van Gaal began his Manchester United tenure with a disappointing home loss to Swansea City 2-1 on Saturday. As expected, the home team started with a 3-5-2 formation and dominated possession throughout, but conceded the lead when Ki Seung-Yeung struck after 28 minutes. Captain Wayne Rooney equalised for United with an overhead kick in the second period, but 18 minutes from time, Gylfi Sigurdsson (recent signee from Tottenham Hotspurs) sealed the game for the Swans. It was United’s first league opening home loss since 1972.

At St James’ Park, Manchester City began their Premier League title defence with a 2-0 win at Newcastle United.

David Silva gave the Citizens the lead on 38 minutes after a dull opening to the first half. Newcastle came out a different side in the second half and threatened to challenge Man City’s slender lead for most of 45 minutes. The introduction of new signing Ayoze Perez gave the hosts new energy and came close to breaching Joe Hart’s goal. Just after Moussa Sissoko fired over the bar, it was late substitute Sergio Aguero’s goal that put the game to bed.

Liverpool began life after Luis Suarez with a 2-1 home win against Southampton. The Anfield club spent most of their summer signing players from Southampton so there was added motivation for some players on the field. The Saints’ Premier League debutants were most impressive but it was Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling who opened the scoring, converting Jordan Henderson’s brilliant long pass. Right-back Nathaniel Clyne scored an eye-catching goal for So’ton but the home team had the last laugh when Daniel Sturridge struck on 80 minutes.

Aaron Ramsey was saviour again as Arsenal fought off manager-less Crystal Palace to win 2-1 at Emirates Stadium. The home team dominated proceedings in the first half and looked like destroying Palace but were in for a shock. New signee Brede Hangelaand headed in at the near post in the first-half to give the Eagles a surprising lead. However, Arsenal’s Laurent Koscielny scored a header of his own from marquee signing Alexis Sanchez’s free kick just before the break. Palace continued to put in a gutsy display even after Jason Puncheon’s sending off in the second half; they should curse their luck, however, after seeing Ramsey slot home with only a minute remaining.