The Premier League’s opening round delivered drama at Portman Road, where a late goal from Jack Clarke gave Ipswich Town a 2-1 victory over Sunderland. Leeds United also started with a win at Nottingham Forest, while Everton eased past Crystal Palace.
At Portman Road, Ipswich took the lead through Emersonn, but Nilson Angulo’s free kick for Sunderland pulled the game level. With the match seemingly heading for a draw, Jack Clarke, who left Sunderland for Ipswich in 2024, intercepted a poor pass from Omar Alderete and curled the ball into the far corner to seal a 2-1 win in the 90th minute. The result meant Ipswich matched fellow promoted club Hull City, who began their campaign with a shock 2-0 victory over Manchester United.
Nottingham Forest found the start of Oliver Glasner’s tenure difficult, slipping to a 1-0 home loss against Leeds United. Anton Stach proved the decisive figure for the visitors, firing beyond Matz Sels two minutes from the end of normal time after Nikola Milenkovic committed a rash foul. Milenkovic had earlier struck the post, while Igor Jesus was unfortunate with two headers as Forest pushed for a goal. Leeds claimed their first win at the City Ground since 1972.
Everton also enjoyed a winning start, beating Crystal Palace 2-0 at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Kieran Dewsbury-Hall put the hosts ahead three minutes before the break, arrowing a shot past Dean Henderson. Thierno Barry doubled the advantage eight minutes into the second half, heading home from Iliman Ndiaye’s excellent cross. Palace, playing their first game under new boss Pierre Sage, left Ismaila Sarr out of the squad amid speculation linking him with Galatasaray, and also lost Chadi Riad to injury during a difficult afternoon.
Ipswich, Leeds and Everton all began their Premier League campaigns with three points, while Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace were left to regroup after opening defeats.