The 2026-27 Premier League kicked off with a bang last weekend, with some big names quickly into their stride.
Arsenal hit the ground running with a 3-0 victory over Championship winners Coventry City, while Cole Palmer starred as Chelsea made a winning start under Xabi Alonso at Fulham.
It wasn’t all plain sailing for the big teams, though. Manchester United suffered a shock 2-0 defeat at promoted Hull City, whose goalscoring defenders go straight into our team.
Europa League winners Aston Villa were thumped 4-0 at Brighton, while Manchester City had to come from behind to beat Bournemouth under new boss Enzo Maresca.
The Squawka Score is our proprietary performance rating, combining multiple Opta stats into a single percentage. It benchmarks players against their positional peers, allowing quick comparisons. Learn more about how it works here: https://www.squawka.com/en/news/squawka-score-explained/
GK: James Trafford (Leeds United)
- Squawka Score: 77%
Trafford marked his debut for his new employers with a win and a clean sheet against Nottingham Forest. The former Manchester City stopper helped secure the 1-0 victory at the City Ground with three saves and three sweeper-keeper clearances off his line.
Honourable mention: Konstantinos Tzolakis (75%)
No goalkeeper made more saves during gameweek 1 than the Hull stopper’s five. He also made three high claims to keep Man Utd out at the KCOM.
RB: Ben White (Arsenal)
- Squawka Score: 83%
The Arsenal full-back was quickly into his stride against newcomers Coventry. In total control at right-back, he made 72 passes at a 95% accuracy rate, and 28 into the final third, while providing an assist for Martin Odegaard’s third goal.
Honourable mention: Michael Kayode (78%)
The Italian’s attacking threat saw him register an xG of 1.19, and led to him scoring Brentford’s third goal against Spurs. At the other end of the field, he won nine duels, including four in the air.
CB: Semi Ajayi (Hull City)
- Squawka Score: 86%
Ajayi scored Hull’s first goal of their Premier League return to set the ball rolling against Man Utd. He also did his job at the other end of the field, winning all three duels (three of three) and both aerial contests.
Honourable mention: Jaka Bijol (75%)
Bijol did his bit in the heart of Leeds’ defence to help them earn their first top-flight win at Forest in over 50 years. The Slovenian made nine clearances, a last-man tackle, and won seven aerial contests during an inspired performance.
CB: Nobel Mendy (Hull City)
- Squawka Score: 80%
Mendy was the other Hull defender to get on the scoresheet against Man Utd. He also made 12 clearances to keep Michael Carrick’s side at bay.
Honourable mention: Chris Richards (75%)
Palace made a losing start to the season at Everton. That was despite the best efforts of Richards, who made nine clearances and three blocks for the Eagles.
LB: Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City)
- Squawka Score: 81%
The Man City left-back was the unlikely hero for Maresca in his first match at the helm. His 91st-minute winner made completed the turnaround at the Etihad.
Honourable mention: Keane Lewis-Potter (79%)
Lewis-Potter opened the scoring for Brentford in their commanding win over Spurs. He also played five passes into the opposing box from left-back.
BOYLE Sports offer: Bet £10 Get £40 in free bets
Not signed up to BOYLE Sports yet? Here's how to claim one of the best bookmaker welcome offers around...
- Sign up to BOYLE Sports using this link.
- Deposit a minimum of £10 (Excluding Skrill/Moneybookers, Neteller, PayPal, Paysafe or prepaid cards).
- Place a minimum bet of £10 or more at odds of EVS (2.0) or greater.
- Receive your £40 in free bets
18+ New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. Free bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. 30 days to qualify. Free bets expire in 7 days. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. Account & Payment method restrictions apply. 1 Free Bet offer per customer, household & IP Address only. T&Cs Apply
DM: Marc Guehi (Manchester City)
- Squawka Score: 88%
Though operating in a slightly less familiar role, Guehi quickly adapted in his trademark professional manner. The England star won all three tackles and eight duels. He also registered a 95% pass success rate, and even scored the equaliser.
Honourable mention: Mamadou Sangare (76%)
Brentford’s record signing turned in a player-of-the-match display against Spurs. Registering an xA of 0.48, the Malian set up one of the goals from the two chances he created.
DM: Vitaly Janelt (Brentford)
- Squawka Score: 79%
The Brentford midfielder made four interceptions – more than any other player during gameweek 1. He also grabbed the second goal, which gave the Bees breathing space.
Honourable mention: Dominik Szoboszlai (76%)
One of Liverpool’s rare successes last season, Szoboszlai picked up from where he left off at St James’ Park. The Hungarian made a game-high 12 passes into the Newcastle United box, and he rescued a point with his 99th-minute penalty.
RW: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
- Squawka Score: 86%
Saka is off and running for another season, after scoring Arsenal’s second goal. His 0.93 xG was the highest among all wingers on gameweek 1, while he also fed seven passes into the Coventry box before being given a breather.
Honourable mention: Diego Gomez (83%)
Gomez played a starring role as Brighton ran riot against Aston Villa, providing an assist in the 4-0 win. Not only that, but his 1.04 xA was the weekend’s highest creative figure.
No.10: Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
- Squawka Score: 91%
The weekend’s star performer, Palmer grabbed a goal from five shots, an assist, and a round-high five successful take-ons during Chelsea’s 3-2 win at Fulham. His quality and creativity was certainly missed by England at the World Cup.
Honourable mention: Martin Odegaard (89%)
The Arsenal skipper pulled the strings from midfield in trademark fashion against Coventry. As well as creating three chances and recording 24 final-third passes at a success rate of 93%, he rounded off the scoring with the Gunners’ third goal.
LW: Iliman Ndiaye (Everton)
- Squawka Score: 84%
Ndiaye played a key role during Everton’s winning start to the season against Palace. He grabbed an assist from three created chances, while both of his shots were on target.
Honourable mention: Maxim De Cuyper (82%)
De Cuyper scored the second of Brighton’s four goals against Villa. That came from an xG of 1.22, while he played 10 passes into the opposing box from the left flank.
ST: Emersonn (Ipswich Town)
- Squawka Score: 89%
Ipswich’s first goal of their Premier League return came from Gary O’Neil’s first signing. The Brazilian marked his debut with a goal and bullied the Sunderland defence during the 2-1 win at Portman Road, before he was replaced midway through the second half.
Honourable mention: Joao Pedro (88%)
Chelsea’s new No.9 was a constant menace at Fulham. The Brazilian grabbed a goal and assist, while registering eight touches in the opposing box.