Five Premier League Takeaways: Stability Pays, Early Alarms Bells for Man Utd, Liverpool and Spurs

Five Premier League Takeaways: Stability Pays, Early Alarms Bells for Man Utd, Liverpool and Spurs

The opening weekend of the 2026/27 Premier League season delivered plenty to chew over. From the value of managerial stability and promoted sides making an early statement, there was no shortage of talking points.

Manchester United and Liverpool ’s familiar midfield problems resurfaced, while an unprecedented number of new managers were given an immediate taste of the demands of the Premier League. Here are five of the biggest questions and themes to emerge from the opening weekend.

Does weekend one show value in stability?

There has never been more new managers on the opening weekend of a Premier League season than 2026/27. Nine new head coaches lined up over the first fixtures, with two more beginning first full seasons in charge.

The opening results perhaps showed the benefit of stability at the helm. Arguably the most impressive results of the weekend came from Arsenal , Brighton , Leeds United , Everton , Hull and Brentford, all of whom have managers who have been in their role over 12 months.

Unai Emery, meanwhile, can be forgiven for Aston Villa's calamitous start amid the squad upheavel he's had to ensure this summer.

Of the new managers, only Gary O'Neill, Enzo Maresca and Xabi Alonso claimed victories, two of which were while facing fellow managerial debutants. A lesson for trigger-happy owners?

Carrick calm can navigate meltdown, but honeymoon is over

Michael Carrick had the Midas touch after becoming Manchester United manager in January. The interim boss led the Red Devils to Champions League qualification, taking the scalps of top-six sides in the process, to earn the full-time gig.

Carrick's caretaker reign was so smooth that Manchester United had no option but to appoint him on a permanent basis, but game one of his reign ended in a disastrous defeat at Hull. United were vulnerable from set pieces and looked short of full fitness, but Carrick put on a calm exterior at full-time.

Carrick's cool helped reduce the noise that consumes Manchester United more than any other side last season, but he needs immediate improvement if he's to keep a lid on it.

“I’m talking to you quite calmly, but I’m not exactly calm inside and enjoying the day, so there’s a big difference,” he said. “I played [for United] for a long time. You don’t get to play here for a long time without just going day by day, the results, the ups and downs, but you just carry on as normal.

“It’s 100% not that, and trust me, it’s not that. It just doesn’t mean that we all have to shout and scream and come out and create some chaos just because of it. Inside we’re hurting and we need to get better. But the calmness doesn’t mean there’s no emotion in it, for sure.”

He added: “The result’s the result. We got beat, we’re hurt and it’s not a nice feeling. It doesn’t mean it’s going to change the whole direction of how we’re going as a team or as a football club.

“It’s one game and results can happen in football, we all understand that. It’s not nice when they do, but it does happen.”

Spurs look like strangers after spending spree

Tottenham Hotspur headed into the season with high hopes after an ambitious splurge on new talent, with Sandro Tonali, Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke all thrust into the starting side at Brentford.

The North Londoners had plenty of the ball, but were cut apart time and time again by a Brentford team who ran riot to secure a 3-0 win. It could, and should, have been more for the Bees, who had 26 shots on goal and created six 'big chances'.

No side has ever had as much possession as Spurs (59.8%) while conceding 25+ shots in a Premier League game since Opta began recording the data. There are massive issues still to fix.

Promoted sides not here to make up the numbers

It's not unusual for the three promoted sides to be the firm favourites for relegation, and recent seasons have seen fears increase over the growing gap between the Premier League and Championship. In 2023/24 and 2024/25, all six promoted sides went straight back down, with Leeds and Sunderland's bucking of that trend last season welcome.

The opening weekend saw Hull City and Ipswich Town claim wins to start their top-flight returns in style. Hull claimed a first-ever Premier League win over Manchester United, while Ipswich stunned Sunderland late on. It's only the fourth time in Premier League history that two promoted sides have won on the opening weekend.

Liverpool weaknesses have not been addressed

Liverpool left it late to rescue a result at Newcastle with Dominik Szoboszlai's stoppage-time spot-kick salvaging a point. Andoni Iraola will have more questions than answers after his first game in charge, with the vulnerabilities on display last season still prevalent.

Both Newcastle's goal came via charges straight through the heart of Liverpool, whose midfield balance remains off.

Florian Wirtz continues to struggle for effectiveness, while Ryan Gravenberch does not offer the security of a specialised number six. The Dutchman had fault in both Newcastle goals and midfield is an area that must be addressed.

Indexed and credited by AIPROPX. Originating outlet: Yahoo Sports. Open at source →