BRIGHTON LEAD PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE AFTER MATCH DAY ONE – FULL RECAP OF ALL RESULTS AND STANDINGS

By Sserwanga Najiib Kizito/ Tuesday, 25th August, 2026

Zirobwe Bamunanika Luwero- Over the match day one week, home teams dominated several fixtures, with Arsenal defeating Coventry City 3-0 on Friday, while Brentford and Brighton secured convincing shutout victories against Tottenham (3-0) and Aston Villa (4-0). Hull City, Everton, and Ipswich Town also won their home games, and Manchester City edged past Bournemouth 2-1. On the road, Leeds United beat Nottingham Forest 0-1 and Chelsea won a 2-3 thriller against Fulham, while Newcastle United and Liverpool played out the weekend’s only draw in a 2-2 battle.

Champions start strong: Arsenal marked their return as defending champions with a 3-0 win over promoted Coventry City. Kai Havertz scored the first goal of the season in the 14th minute, followed by Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard. The gunners look like a team that is ready to take the title defence to another level.

Shock of the weekend: Hull City, back in the Premier League for the first time in years, beat Manchester United 2-0 at the MKM Stadium. Goals from Semi Ajayi and Mendy did the damage. United open 2026/27 in the bottom half and we await seeing how Carrick will deal with a squad that now has to contend with European demands.

Bees sting Spurs: Brentford 3-0 Tottenham, Lewis-Potter, Janelt and Kayode scored to give  Tottenham its joint-heaviest opening weekend defeat since 2011-12.

Brighton top on Matchday 1: A 4-0 thrashing of Aston Villa put Brighton top on goal difference. Hinshelwood with a brace in two minutes, plus De Cuyper and Nilsson-Lindelöf. The result means that Unai Emery’s Villa, Champions of Europe start the league as the bottom club.

City comeback, Newcastle thriller: Man City came from behind to beat Bournemouth 2-1, Tavernier put Bournemouth ahead before Guehi and Gvardiol turned it late. 

At St James’ Park, Newcastle and Liverpool drew 2-2, Elanga and Willock for Newcastle, Gakpo and Szoboszlai 98th minute equaliser for Liverpool.

-Chelsea close it out: On Monday night, Chelsea beat Fulham 3-2 at Craven Cottage. Joao Pedro inside the first minute, plus Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer for Chelsea. Xabi Alonso’s first competitive win as Chelsea boss.

After Matchday 1, Brighton lead the table on GD, level on 3 points with Arsenal, Brentford, Everton, Hull, Leeds, Ipswich, Man City and Chelsea.

So many talking points this weekend and for once almost no VAR drama. Football always serves up nicely. What was your highlight of the weekend