In light of the launch of the new football gaming phenomenon that is ‘Goaldash’ I decided to look at the six biggest opening day victories ever to be recorded in the Premier League. I am not sure it will influence any of your choices ahead of the big kick-off, but it may serve as a source of inspiration.
*
What better way to begin your season than by handing out a thrashing? Here are the six biggest beatings given out on the opening day. Whilst fans on the receiving end wonder how much their season tickets will get on ebay and use their replica kits to wipe away the tears, the victors laugh and drink and get completely carried away about the prospect of a season with mountains of goals and unbridled joy. Of course it doesn’t always work out like that.
6. Manchester United 5 Fulham 1
In their opening fixture of the 2006/07 season, Manchester United set out to try and stop Chelsea wining a third successive domestic title. This thrashing of Fulham was the perfect start and United went on to win their 9th league title. The youtube comment sums it up perfectly. “Man Utd is the good.”
[youtube nXUr68gmI7M]
[divider]
5. Blackburn Rovers 5 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1
For a full and not in any way biased account of Blackburn’s demolition of Wolves on the opening day of the 2003/04 season, go to the Blackburn Rovers website http://www.rovers.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10303~21979,00.html unfortunately you can’t actually see the goals. Wolves’ miserable start to the season continued with the finishing bottom of the league, whilst Rovers failed to maintain anything close to this form, finishing 15th.
Find Out More About GOALDASH by clicking here
[divider]
4. Leicester City 0 Bolton Wanderers 5
Newly promoted Bolton gave Leicester City an absolute pasting on the opening day in 2001. The goals, particularly the 2nd and 3rd really are a joy to watch. It makes you wonder why Big Sam got such a hard time. Lovely football. Leicester finished bottom that season, Bolton 16th.
[youtube u3-g7TZ4t7U]
[divider]
3. Crystal Palace 1 Liverpool 6
Freshly promoted Palace were rudely welcomed to the Premiership with this walloping from Jan Molby, Steve McManaman, Robbie Fowler and Co. Despite the previously poor form of the Reds, they dismantled Palace with ease. A teary-eyed recollection of this wonderful day can be enjoyed here. Palace went on to finish fourth from bottom in the Premiership that year, however due to the streamlining of the division to 20 clubs they were still relegated. Brutal.
[divider]
2. Everton 1 Arsenal 6
In 2009, Arsenal flew out of the traps away at Goodison Park, mauling what looked a strong Everton side. The fifth goal looks distinctly like it was lifted from the end of a park game when the score is 32- 24 and half the players have left but you’re still playing on a huge pitch. Ridiculous. Needless to say, Arsenal crumbled towards the end of the season having looked likely contenders. Everton rallied and finished 8th.
[youtube aTTjyZwAWdU]
[divider]
1. Chelsea 6 West Brom 0
On the opening day of last season, newly promoted West Brom visited the Premier League Champions at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea didn’t hold back and proceeded to ruthlessly flay the Baggies, inflicted the largest opening day victory in the history of the Premier League. Unfortunately, people have gone to great lengths to remove the evidence, most probably some West Brom fans who are still hurting. Anyway, we all know what happened there was a lot of this going on (see below). Chelsea had a large blip and finished the season second behind Manchester United and West Brom hired Roy Hodgson and finished in a very respectable 11th place.
**
So what is Goaldash?
Bored of playing the Lottery? Failing every week on the Pools? Then why not give ‘Goaldash’ a go – a football gamble with a difference.
‘Goaldash’ is a fabulous concept which fuses the Lottery format with pre-chosen football fixtures. Whereas you may use birthdays or your own favourite numbers to pick your six numbers, with ‘Goaldash’ you need to use your foresight of the Beautiful Game to select the six teams that are likely to score first in the pre-selected 24 fixtures.
It only costs £1 a pop to enter and you have the chance to win a million pounds, every given week.
All you have to do is scour the 48 teams and pick out the 6 teams that are likely to score first on the Saturday afternoon. The matches are chosen from the Premier League, the Football League, as well as the Scottish divisions therefore you will have plenty to work out and strategise before you make your selections.
Playing the Lottery has just got fun, especially as your odds are a damn sight greater.
Fancy your chances? Fancy winning a million pounds? Why not give it a go! Visit Goaldash to find out more
