Premier League REVIEW 22 Aug 2026: Hull Stun Manchester United on Premier League Return

Hull City's first top-flight match since 2016/17 could hardly have gone better: two first-half goals, from S. Ajayi in the 17th minute and N. Mendy in the 38th, were enough to beat Manchester United 2-0 at the MKM Stadium. It leaves Hull, promoted from the Championship's sixth place via a stoppage-time play-off final winner from Oli McBurnie against Middlesbrough, level on 3 points at the top of the early table on goal difference, while United sit without a point after their opening fixture.

Brentford were just as emphatic against Tottenham Hotspur, going 2-0 up inside 33 minutes through K. Lewis-Potter and V. Janelt before M. Kayode made it 3-0 four minutes into the second half. The only blemish on the afternoon came in the 55th minute, when I. Thiago missed a penalty, but it made no difference to a comprehensive 3-0 win. Spurs, who finished 17th in each of the last two Premier League seasons, start this one with a defeat and no goals to show for it.

Ipswich Town needed a late winner to see off fellow promoted side Sunderland. Emersonn put the home side ahead in the 24th minute, N. Angulo levelled for Sunderland just before the break, and J. Clarke settled it in the 90th minute for a 2-1 win. It was called correctly by the model, which had given Ipswich a 39% chance. Sunderland, seventh in the Premier League last season on their own return from the Championship, are left without a point from the opening weekend.

Everton also justified favourite status, backed at 43% by the model, beating Crystal Palace 2-0 through K. Dewsbury-Hall in the 42nd minute and T. Barry early in the second half. Palace, treble winners of the FA Cup, Community Shield and Conference League last season, began the new campaign under Pierre Sage, appointed in June, with a defeat.

Elsewhere, Nottingham Forest lost 0-1 at home to Leeds United, A. Stach scoring the only goal two minutes from time to give Daniel Farke's side a winning start on their return to the top flight.