Premier League: Man United Held by Fulham, Everton Win in New Stadium Debut
London – Manchester United remain without a Premier League win this season after being held 1-1 at Fulham on Sunday, while a Jack Grealish-inspired Everton opened their new stadium with a 2-0 victory over Brighton, marking an emotional start to life at the Hill Dickinson Stadium amid mixed results across the league.
United’s Frustrating Draw at Craven Cottage
Ruben Amorim’s United were left to rue Bruno Fernandes’ wayward first-half penalty as they were pegged back at Craven Cottage. Rodrigo Amorim’s own-goal put United in front on the hour mark, but Emile Smith Rowe came off the bench to rescue a point for Fulham. “After the (United) goal we were just thinking about the result. We were OK until the goal and then we were not smart in that moment,” said Amorim. The Portuguese coach is under pressure to show improvements after a disastrous 15th-placed finish last season, but so far his new £200 million ($270 million) forward line of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko, who again started on the bench, is yet to fire.
Despite an encouraging performance, United lost 1-0 to title-chasing Arsenal in their season opener last weekend and will feel another two points slipped away in west London. Fulham, though, felt the visitors got the better of two controversial calls. United’s penalty was awarded after a VAR review for grappling by Calvin Bassey on Mason Mount. Fernandes is normally reliable from the spot, but blasted his effort high over the bar. When United did finally get their first goal of the season it came via a Fulham body as Muniz deflected Leny Yoro’s header into his own net.
However, the home side were furious that this time VAR did not intervene for a push by Yoro on Bassey.
Fulham still managed to rescue a point when former Arsenal midfielder Smith Rowe’s run into the box was not tracked and he turned in Alex Iwobi’s cross 17 minutes from time.
This result leaves United still searching for their first three points in the 2025/26 campaign, sitting low in the early table after two games without a victory. Fans on social media expressed frustration over the missed chances and defensive lapses, with many pointing to the new signings’ slow start as a key issue. Amorim now turns his focus to upcoming fixtures, hoping his big-money forwards can gel quickly to turn the tide.
Everton’s Perfect Start at Hill Dickinson Stadium
After an emotional goodbye to Goodison Park, the club’s home since 1892, Everton are hoping the move to a new 53,000 capacity stadium will rekindle their bygone glory days. Only four clubs have won more English top-flight titles than Everton’s nine.However, they have not won a major trophy for 30 years and spent their final seasons at Goodison battling relegation.
“We’re trying to find a way of moving the club on. I think this is a big step forward for Everton,” said manager David Moyes. Grealish has so far been the marquee new addition to Moyes’ squad and showed glimpses of the talent that saw Manchester City pay Aston Villa £100 million for him four years ago, providing the assist for both goals.
Iliman Ndiaye scored the final goal at Goodison against Southampton in May and made more history with the first goal at Everton’s new home. Grealish was the creator with a drilled left-foot cross that Ndiaye timed his run perfectly to meet at the back post on 23 minutes. Brighton should not have come away from Merseyside empty-handed but wasted a series of chances. Kaoru Mitoma struck the bar and Jan Paul van Hecke’s effort came back off the post, while Danny Welbeck spooned over with the goal gaping.
James Garner doubled Everton’s lead early in the second period with a blistering strike from Grealish’s lay-off. Brighton still had the chance to set up a nervy finale, but Jordan Pickford saved Welbeck’s poor penalty to round off a memorable afternoon for the Toffees. The new Hill Dickinson Stadium, a modern 53,000-seater on Liverpool’s waterfront, represents a fresh chapter for Everton after 133 years at Goodison. The move aims to boost revenue and competitiveness, with fans packing the stands for a vibrant atmosphere that helped secure the clean sheet. Moyes praised the team’s grit, noting how the win sets a positive tone for avoiding another relegation scrap.
Forest Hold Palace as Nuno Stays Firm
Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo insisted he wants to remain in charge after his side’s 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace. Callum Hudson-Odoi rescued a point for Forest after Ismaila Sarr’s first-half opener for Palace. Nuno said on Friday his relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis had deteriorated as odds on him being the first Premier League manager of the season to be sacked were slashed.
“That is nonsense. That does not make any kind of sense,” said the Portuguese coach on whether he is trying to engineer an exit from the club.
The draw keeps both teams winless after two games, with Palace and Forest sitting on two points each from draws. Nuno praised his team’s performance at Selhurst Park, noting the tough atmosphere and calling for unity amid reports of tensions with the owner. He mentioned plans to meet Marinakis soon to align on the club’s direction, including adding three more players – a goalkeeper and two full-backs – to cope with Premier League, cup, and European demands.
Early Season Standings and What’s Next
These results keep the early Premier League table tight, with no team yet pulling away after two rounds. United face a midweek League Cup tie before hosting a big clash, while Everton build on their momentum at the new ground. Social media buzzed with reactions, from United fans calling for patience to Everton supporters celebrating the new era.
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