Premier League Opening Weekend: Ipswich snatch late win as Spurs suffer Brentford rout

The opening Saturday of the new Premier League season delivered almost everything supporters could have asked for: late winners, promoted clubs making their mark, home defeats and a major statement from Brentford.

Four matches produced 10 goals, with Ipswich Town leaving it until the final minute to beat Sunderland, Leeds United snatching victory at Nottingham Forest and Everton securing a comfortable home win over Crystal Palace.

The biggest result, however, came in west London.

Brentford dismantled Tottenham Hotspur 3-0, exposing familiar defensive problems despite Spurs' huge summer spending and Roberto De Zerbi's arrival as manager.

Here is a closer look at the major talking points from Saturday's action.

Brentford 3-0 Tottenham: Spurs' new era starts with a nightmare

Tottenham's expensive rebuild could hardly have begun worse. Brentford raced to a 3-0 victory, with Keane Lewis-Potter, Vitaly Janelt and Michael Kayode all finding the net as Spurs struggled to cope with the hosts' intensity.

The defeat raises immediate questions about whether Tottenham's substantial summer investment has actually addressed the structural problems that undermined them last season.

Spurs have spent heavily on their squad and are expected to push beyond the £300 million mark once further deals are completed. But money on the transfer market could not prevent the same vulnerabilities from appearing.

Brentford punish Spurs early

The hosts needed only 12 minutes to take the lead. Mamadou Sangare, one of Brentford's major summer additions, combined with Igor Thiago before bursting towards the byline and cutting the ball back for Lewis-Potter, who finished the move.

Brentford continued to apply pressure. Tottenham goalkeeper Antonín Kinsky then denied Dango Ouattara before Brentford eventually doubled their advantage in the 33rd minute. Kinsky parried Mathias Jensen's effort, but Vitaly Janelt reacted quickest to the rebound.

At 2-0 down, Tottenham already faced a major uphill battle.

Kayode completes the rout

The third goal arrived after the break. Nathan Collins headed a corner towards the far post, Sangare's follow-up was blocked by Kinsky, but Michael Kayode was on hand to finish the rebound.

Tottenham had no answer. Mikey Moore provided one of the few positives for the visitors, forcing saves from Caoimhín Kelleher, but the teenager could not prevent Spurs from suffering a humiliating opening-day defeat.

Brentford could even have won by four. Rodrigo Bentancur conceded a penalty after bringing down Kevin Schade, but last season's leading scorer Igor Thiago struck the post from the spot. The scoreline nevertheless represented a huge statement from Brentford.

Ipswich 2-1 Sunderland: Clarke strikes at the death

If Tottenham's defeat was the biggest shock, Ipswich Town's late victory over Sunderland was arguably the most dramatic result of the day. The newly promoted sides met at Portman Road with both clubs looking to make an immediate statement following their returns to the Premier League.

Ipswich eventually got the better of the contest, winning 2-1 thanks to Jack Clarke's 90th-minute strike.

Enciso and Emersonn combine for Ipswich

Ipswich took the lead in the 24th minute after excellent work from Julio Enciso. The forward intercepted a Sunderland pass, beat Dan Ballard and delivered for Emersonn, who finished the move.

The goal gave Ipswich a deserved reward for a promising opening period. Sunderland responded before half-time. Granit Xhaka won a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area, and Nilson Angulo produced a superb effort that went over the wall and in via the crossbar. The sides went into the interval level.

Clarke settles it in the 90th minute

The game appeared destined for a draw before Sunderland handed Ipswich one final opportunity. A poor pass from Omar Alderete was intercepted, allowing Sasa Lukic to find substitute Jack Clarke.

Clarke cut inside before firing into the bottom corner. The significance of the goal was heightened by Clarke's history with Sunderland, making his late winner against his former club even more dramatic.

The victory also gave Ipswich only their second Premier League home win in 24 years. For Gary O'Neil, it was the perfect way to begin his competitive tenure.

Everton 2-0 Crystal Palace: Moyes gets early boost

Everton also began the campaign with three points, defeating Crystal Palace 2-0. The result will provide some relief for David Moyes after Everton's disappointing finish to the previous season.

The Toffees had ended the previous campaign without a win in their final seven matches, costing them an opportunity to return to European football. This time, however, they made the most of their chances.

Dewsbury-Hall breaks the deadlock

Palace had several opportunities during the opening half but failed to convert them. Jean-Philippe Mateta missed a good chance from close range and later hit the post, while Eddie Nketiah also came close.

Everton eventually punished Palace's wastefulness.

Daniel Muñoz lost possession and Harrison Armstrong quickly found Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who produced a composed finish across Dean Henderson. The goal changed the momentum of the match.

Barry provides the insurance

Everton doubled their lead eight minutes after the restart. A quickly taken free-kick from Hayden Hackney created the opportunity, with Iliman Ndiaye delivering the ball into the area.

Thierno Barry reacted quickest and headed home from close range. The goal was particularly significant for the French striker, who had waited until December last season for his first Everton goal.

For Moyes, seeing his striker open his account so early will be welcome, particularly given Everton's limited attacking output last season. Palace will be left wondering what might have been after creating several promising opportunities before Everton took control.

Nottingham Forest 0-1 Leeds: Stach wins it late

Nottingham Forest's new era under Oliver Glasner began with a frustrating defeat. Leeds United secured a 1-0 victory at the City Ground, with Anton Stach scoring a late winner from a direct free-kick.

Glasner became Forest's fifth manager in less than a year following the departure of Vitor Pereira. His first Premier League match therefore represented an immediate test of whether the Austrian could bring stability to the club. For much of the afternoon, it appeared both teams would settle for a point.

Set pieces dominate at the City Ground

Leeds briefly thought they had taken the lead when Harry Wilson finished Jayden Bogle's delivery, but the goal was ruled out for offside. Forest then came close themselves.

Jair Cunha headed against the post following a scramble inside the Leeds penalty area. Igor Jesus later headed wide from an Ola Aina cross, while Leeds goalkeeper Matz Sels was eventually tested by a powerful header from Tarik Muharemovic.

The decisive moment came with just two minutes remaining. Stach won a free-kick from Nikola Milenkovic and then beat Sels at the near post, giving Leeds three points from a match that had appeared destined for a stalemate.

The two teams will not have to wait long for another meeting. They face each other again at the City Ground on Tuesday, 25 August, this time in the Carabao Cup.

Premier League: What's Coming Next?

Saturday's action is only part of the opening weekend.

Sunday

Brighton vs Aston Villa - 2:00pm

Manchester City vs Bournemouth - 2:00pm

Newcastle United vs Liverpool - 4:30pm

Monday

Fulham vs Chelsea - 8:00pm

The Newcastle-Liverpool clash is arguably the standout fixture still to come, while Manchester City will begin their campaign against Bournemouth.

The weekend then concludes with a west London derby between Fulham and Chelsea on Monday night. After the drama of Saturday, there is plenty more to come.

SportsLigue