The 2021/22 Premier League season got under way this weekend when promoted Brentford beat Arsenal on Friday.
Over the past 29 editions of the Premier League, there have been some classic matches on the opening weekend which have helped set the tone for the rest of the season. Here is a look back at some of the best.
Arsenal 2 Norwich City 4 (1992/93)
The Premier League’s inaugural weekend produced one of the most memorable opening day results in the league’s history. Arsenal, who finished fourth in the previous season’s old First Division, looked to be cruising when Steve Bould and Kevin Campbell gave them a 2-0 lead at half-time over a Norwich City side who had narrowly avoided relegation. However, with 21 minutes remaining, Norwich began their remarkable turnaround as Mark Robins and David Phillips scored in quick succession to level. Ruel Fox gave the visitors the lead before Robins grabbed his second to seal a famous win.
Crystal Palace 1 Liverpool 6 (1994/95)
Liverpool welcomed Crystal Palace to the Premier League with an absolute drubbing at Selhurst Park. Jan Molby opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Steve McManaman and Robbie Fowler made it 3-0. Palace pulled one back through Chris Armstrong but an Ian Rush brace and a second from McManaman completed the rout.
Southampton 3 Nottingham Forest 4 (1995/96)
A seven-goal thriller at The Dell to kickstart the 1995/96 season when a Matt Le Tissier hat-trick proved in vain as goals from Colin Cooper, Ian Woan, and a double from Bryan Roy gave Forest the victory.
Middlesbrough 3 Liverpool 3 (1996/97)
A match that introduced one of the Premier League’s ultimate cult heroes. Signed for a club record £7m from Juventus, Italian striker Fabrizio Ravanelli made an instant impact with a hat-trick on his debut. Goals from Stig Inge Bjornebye, John Barnes, and Fowler ensured honours even at the Riverside. There was another 3-3 draw on this opening day at Pride Park between Derby County and Leeds United.
Watford 2 Wimbledon 3 (1999/00)
When Dean Blackwell was sent off in the 15th minute with the score at 1-1 – following goals from Carl Court for Wimbledon and Peter Kennedy’s equaliser from the penalty spot – it seemed an ideal opportunity for Watford to register a win in their first Premier League fixture. Instead, Marcus Gayle put the visitors ahead 13 minutes later and after Michel Ngonge levelled for Watford, 10-man Wimbledon clinched the win through a Richard Johnson own goal.
Leicester 0 Bolton 5 (2001/02)
Bolton were given little hope when they arrived in the Premier League, but Sam Allardyce orchestrated a superb debut season to finish ninth. The campaign got off to a spectacular start with a dominant win at Filbert Street. Kevin Nolan and Per Frandsen both scored braces, with Michael Ricketts grabbing the other goal.
Blackburn 5 Wolves 1 (2003/04)
Wolves were given a baptism of fire in their debut Premier League season as Blackburn dished out a thrashing at Ewood Park. Lorenzo Amoruso, David Thompson, and Brett Emerton put Blackburn 3-0 up before Steffen Iversen pulled one back for Wolves. However, a late Andrew Cole brace put the shine on an emphatic win. Wolves’ first trip to the Premier League proved short lived as they finished rock bottom.
Aston Villa 4 Manchester City 2 (2008/09)
Manchester City entered the season in a precarious position after then owner Thaksin Shinawatra had his assets frozen. The negativity around the club hardly improved after this opening day capitulation at Villa Park. John Carew opened the scoring early in the second half and Elano equalised in the 64th minute. But a seven-minute hat-trick from Gabriel Agbonlahor saw Villa run away with the win. Vedran Corluka then scored a late consolation. Less than two weeks later, City’s future was set on a far different course when the Abu Dhabi United Group completed their takeover.
Everton 1 Arsenal 6 (2009/10)
Back in the days when Arsenal were still guaranteed a top-four finish, they started the 2009/10 season with a sparkling display at Goodison Park. Denilson, Thomas Vermaelen, and William Gallas all scored in the first half, before a Cesc Fabregas brace and a late Eduardo goal made it 6-0. Louis Saha scored in injury time for what should be considered the ultimate consolation goal.
Arsenal 3 Liverpool 4 (2016/17)
Jurgen Klopp began his first full season as Liverpool manager in some style with this seven-goal thriller at the Emirates. The two teams went into the half-time break level at 1-1 after Philippe Coutinho’s injury time strike cancelled out Theo Walcott’s opener. But Liverpool came flying out of the traps in the second half, racing into a 4-1 lead as Coutinho scored his second followed by goals from Adam Lallana and Sadio Mane. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain made it 4-2 just one minute later before Calum Chambers reduced the deficit to one. Both teams poured forward in search of more goals but that was how the scores stayed.
Arsenal 4 Leicester 3 (2017/18)
What is it about Arsenal and high-scoring games on Premier League opening weekends? At least this time they were on the right side of the result. Kicking off the season on Friday night, two goals inside the first five minutes – from Alexandre Lacazette and Shinji Okazaki – set the tone for a humdinger at the Emirates. Jamie Vardy twice gave the visitors the lead, either side of Danny Welbeck’s first-half injury time goal, before late goals from Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud turned the match around for Arsenal.
Watford 3 Liverpool 3 (2017/18)
Less than 24 hours later, Vicarage Road witnessed a classic. Stefano Okaka gave the hosts an early lead and after Mane levelled for Liverpool, Abdoulaye Doucoure restored Watford’s advantage before the break. Two goals in five minutes from Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah turned the tide in Liverpool’s favour, but just as Watford looked set for defeat, Miguel Britos popped up in injury time to equalise and send the supporters into a frenzy.
Manchester United 4 Chelsea 0 (2019/20)
There was a real feel-good factor at Chelsea entering the 2019/20 season after club legend Frank Lampard was appointed manager, but his introduction to the Premier League couldn’t have gone much worse. Despite dominating large parts of the match, Chelsea were on the receiving end of a beating from a clinical United side, led by a Marcus Rashford brace and goals from Daniel James and Anthony Martial.
Liverpool 4 Leeds 3 (2020/21)
Led by the famed Marcelo Bielsa, there was great excitement surrounding Leeds as they made their long-awaited return to the Premier League. This opening weekend match offered a glimpse for what turned out to be a thoroughly entertaining season as Leeds pushed Liverpool to the edge. Leeds equalised three times, first through Jack Harrison after Mohamed Salah’s early penalty, then through Patrick Bamford following Virgil van Dijk’s 20th-minute goal, and finally when Mateusz Klich cancelled out Salah’s second. But a late Salah penalty completed the Egyptian’s hat-trick to earn Liverpool a tense win.
'Avengers: Infinity War'
Dir: The Russo Brothers
Starring: Chris Evans, Chris Pratt, Tom Holland, Robert Downey Junior, Scarlett Johansson, Elizabeth Olsen
Four stars
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
Torbal Rayeh Wa Jayeh
Starring: Ali El Ghoureir, Khalil El Roumeithy, Mostafa Abo Seria
Stars: 3
Tailors and retailers miss out on back-to-school rush
Tailors and retailers across the city said it was an ominous start to what is usually a busy season for sales.
With many parents opting to continue home learning for their children, the usual rush to buy school uniforms was muted this year.
“So far we have taken about 70 to 80 orders for items like shirts and trousers,” said Vikram Attrai, manager at Stallion Bespoke Tailors in Dubai.
“Last year in the same period we had about 200 orders and lots of demand.
“We custom fit uniform pieces and use materials such as cotton, wool and cashmere.
“Depending on size, a white shirt with logo is priced at about Dh100 to Dh150 and shorts, trousers, skirts and dresses cost between Dh150 to Dh250 a piece.”
A spokesman for Threads, a uniform shop based in Times Square Centre Dubai, said customer footfall had slowed down dramatically over the past few months.
“Now parents have the option to keep children doing online learning they don’t need uniforms so it has quietened down.”
Getting there
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Tbilisi from Dh1,025 return including taxes
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreated%20by%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJesse%20Armstrong%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Brian%20Cox%2C%20Jeremy%20Strong%2C%20Kieran%20Culkin%2C%20Sarah%20Snook%2C%20Nicholas%20Braun%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Company profile
Company name: Nestrom
Started: 2017
Co-founders: Yousef Wadi, Kanaan Manasrah and Shadi Shalabi
Based: Jordan
Sector: Technology
Initial investment: Close to $100,000
Investors: Propeller, 500 Startups, Wamda Capital, Agrimatico, Techstars and some angel investors
MATCH INFO
South Africa 66 (Tries: De Allende, Nkosi, Reinach (3), Gelant, Steyn, Brits, Willemse; Cons: Jantjies 8)
Canada 7 (Tries: Heaton; Cons: Nelson)
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
OPENING FIXTURES
Saturday September 12
Crystal Palace v Southampton
Fulham v Arsenal
Liverpool v Leeds United
Tottenham v Everton
West Brom v Leicester
West Ham v Newcastle
Monday September 14
Brighton v Chelsea
Sheffield United v Wolves
To be rescheduled
Burnley v Manchester United
Manchester City v Aston Villa
Breast cancer in men: the facts
1) Breast cancer is men is rare but can develop rapidly. It usually occurs in those over the ages of 60, but can occasionally affect younger men.
2) Symptoms can include a lump, discharge, swollen glands or a rash.
3) People with a history of cancer in the family can be more susceptible.
4) Treatments include surgery and chemotherapy but early diagnosis is the key.
5) Anyone concerned is urged to contact their doctor
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre flat-six twin-turbocharged
Transmission: eight-speed PDK automatic
Power: 445bhp
Torque: 530Nm
Price: Dh474,600
On Sale: Now
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RESULTS
Catchweight 63.5kg: Shakriyor Juraev (UZB) beat Bahez Khoshnaw (IRQ). Round 3 TKO (body kick)
Lightweight: Nart Abida (JOR) beat Moussa Salih (MAR). Round 1 by rear naked choke
Catchweight 79kg: Laid Zerhouni (ALG) beat Ahmed Saeb (IRQ). Round 1 TKO (punches)
Catchweight 58kg: Omar Al Hussaini (UAE) beat Mohamed Sahabdeen (SLA) Round 1 rear naked choke
Flyweight: Lina Fayyad (JOR) beat Sophia Haddouche (ALG) Round 2 TKO (ground and pound)
Catchweight 80kg: Badreddine Diani (MAR) beat Sofiane Aïssaoui (ALG) Round 2 TKO
Flyweight: Sabriye Sengul (TUR) beat Mona Ftouhi (TUN). Unanimous decision
Middleweight: Kher Khalifa Eshoushan (LIB) beat Essa Basem (JOR). Round 1 rear naked choke
Heavyweight: Mohamed Jumaa (SUD) beat Hassen Rahat (MAR). Round 1 TKO (ground and pound)
Lightweight: Abdullah Mohammad Ali Musalim (UAE beat Omar Emad (EGY). Round 1 triangle choke
Catchweight 62kg: Ali Taleb (IRQ) beat Mohamed El Mesbahi (MAR). Round 2 KO
Catchweight 88kg: Mohamad Osseili (LEB) beat Samir Zaidi (COM). Unanimous decision
Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Jiu-Jitsu World Tour Calendar 2018/19
July 29: OTA Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan
Sep 22-23: LA Convention Centre in Los Angeles, US
Nov 16-18: Carioca Arena Centre in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Feb 7-9: Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE
Mar 9-10: Copper Box Arena in London, UK
HEADLINE HERE
- I would recommend writing out the text in the body
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