Last season’s top five all won, most of them comfortably; none of the three promoted sides managed a victory and no-one beat a team who finished above them in 2017-18.
Last season’s Premier League top scorer Mo Salah was on target again as Liverpool began their campaign with an easy win at home to West Ham United.
The Egyptian gave Juergen Klopp’s side the lead after 19 minutes from Andy Robertson’s precise low cross.
West Ham’s new manager Manuel Pellegrini gave debuts to five of their 10 close-season signings, but his revamped team rarely threatened Liverpool’s expensive new Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson.
Substitute Daniel Sturridge made it four just seconds after coming on
Poor defending cost them a second goal just before the interval, to Sadio Mane, who added a third after 53 minutes from an offside position.
Manchester City, who romped to Premier League success by 19 points last season, began the defence of their title with an impressive win away to an Arsenal side playing under new Spanish manager Unai Emery on Sunday.
Attempting to become the first team since Manchester United in 2009 to retain the title, the champions were good value with goals by Raheem Stirling and Bernardo Silva.
Southampton were held to a goalless draw at home to Burnley in the Premier League on Sunday with Joe Hart making some key saves on his league debut for the Clarets and Saints keeper Alex McCarthy in inspired form.
Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur enjoyed away wins on the opening Saturday of the Premier League season while promoted Fulham and Cardiff City were given quick reminders of the tough task they face on their returns to the top flight.
Goals from N’Golo Kante, Jorginho (penalty) and Pedro gave Chelsea an impressive 3-0 win at Huddersfield Town as their new Italian coach Maurizio S.arri watched his team respond well after enduring early pressure from David Wagner’s team.
Chelsea gave a debut to the world’s most expensive goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, who joined from Athletic Bilbao for 72 million pounds ($92 million) last week, but the Spaniard had little work to do.
Spurs fans’ concerns about their club’s lack of transfer business may have eased after Jan Vertonghen and Dele Alli scored as Mauricio Pochettino’s team began the campaign with an entertaining 2-1 victory at Newcastle United.
All three goals came in a frantic opening 20 minutes on Tyneside with two headed goals for the north London team coming either side of Joselu’s equaliser for Rafa Benitez’s Newcastle.
Well-taken goals by Jeffrey Schlupp and Wilfried Zaha fired confident-looking Crystal Palace to a 2-0 win over promoted Fulham at Craven Cottage.
Cardiff City also tasted defeat on their return to the elite — midfielder Ryan Fraser’s first-half goal and forward Callum Wilson’s late strike securing the three points for Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
The other promoted team, Championship winners Wolverhampton Wanderers, host Everton later on Saturday.
Argentine Roberto Pereyra scored twice, the first a superb volley, as Watford enjoyed a 2-0 victory over Brighton and Hove Albion.
Manchester United kicked off the season on Friday with a 2-1 win over Leicester City at Old Trafford.
