Arsenal edge Manchester United 1-0, Chelsea held by Crystal Palace in Premier League opener
Arsenal’s push for a first league crown in two decades began with relief more than style. Three straight seasons finishing second has put Mikel Arteta under pressure, and his side needed a gift from Manchester United’s stand-in keeper Altay Bayindir. The Turkish stopper flapped at Declan Rice’s early corner, leaving Calafiori to head home on 13 minutes.
United’s new £200 million strike force of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko looked dangerous in moments but couldn’t crack the Gunners’ iron defence. Patrick Dorgu smacked the post, while David Raya bailed Arsenal out with sharp stops to deny Cunha and Mbeumo.
At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea looked a shadow of the team that demolished PSG in the Club World Cup final. Palace frustrated the champions with solid defending, and Eberechi Eze’s free-kick goal was chalked off by VAR. Estevao nearly nicked it for Chelsea, but Enzo Maresca admitted his squad lacked sharpness after only two preseason games compared to rivals’ heavier schedules.
Forest made the loudest statement of the day, easing past Brentford 3-1 at the City Ground. Chris Wood struck twice, Dan Ndyoe netted on debut, and Nuno Espirito Santo’s men looked sharper than expected. Brentford’s new boss Keith Andrews endured a rough start, his side dismantled before Igor Thiago grabbed a late penalty consolation.
A first weekend that already showed fault lines. Arsenal grinding. Chelsea stumbling. And Forest proving they still carry bite.
