10 Greatest EPL Opening Weekend Matches Ever

Sport has always had the capability to unify people. Regardless of any personal allegiance and differing opinions, it can often be a catalyst for solidarity and in the light of what has gone on over the past few days, never has it been more needed.

This past week saw the loss of many Carling Cup first round games due to safety fears and Tottenham's home opener against Everton on Saturday is the latest casualty of the mob.

If the situation escalates, further matches could be lost and the anxious wait of anticipation from fans will have to be prolonged before compulsion for football can be fulfilled.

With that in mind, let's look back to a happier time and relive some of the classic encounters from the Premier League's opening weekend.  

There have been some opening day demolitions, Middlesborough put eight past Manchester City in 2007, Arsenal came back from Goodison Park with three points and six goals in 2009 and Chelsea began the defense of their title last season by launching a six goal annihilation upon West Brom. These one-sided showcases, however, are only truly entertaining for the fans of the beneficial team or, conversely, the adversaries of the losers. This list comprises of games that were great from a neutral standpoint. 

At the end of each respective season, there may have been despair, jubilance or mediocrity for each set of fans. But just for one week anything seemed possible and over each of these 90 minute masterpieces, there was a universal appreciation for what they were watching.

Crystal Palace 3-3 Blackburn: 1992

Is there a more fitting place to start than the first ever game played after the league's formation and a game that certainly lived up to its grand billing.

The match also saw the debut of a skinny young man by the name of Alan Shearer, a man who would certainly leave his legacy on the Premier League by the time he hung up his boots in 2006.

It's a 3-3 draw, and as far as I'm concerned, you'd be hard pressed to find a boring one of them.

Arsenal 2-4 Norwich: 1992

Now we move to the nostalgic, spiritual home of Arsenal: Highbury. Well, at least that's what you'd call it for the first half. This remarkable comeback by Norwich turned the Gunners' prestigious opening Premier League fixture into a nightmarish welcoming to the new era of English football.

We've already seen a goal scoring clinic by Alan Shearer and this time, it's a calamitous error by David Seaman, these games really gave us an insight into the future didn't they? And one more thing, watch out for Tony Adams' woeful defending for Norwich's fourth goal. No offense Arsenal fans, but it's pretty funny.  

Sheffield Wednesday 3-4 Tottenham: 1994

Another memorable occasion, not just a great football match. 

This time, it's Jurgen Klinsmann's debut for Spurs and in scoring Tottenham's third, we see the first edition of the German's infamous diving celebration in response to accusations of being a diver by many throughout the footballing community.

Teddy Sheringham, Darren Anderton and Nick Barmby all feature prominently for Spurs and that would become a familiar occurrence for all Premier League fans for the first decade of its existence.    

Southampton 3-4 Nottingham Forrest: 1995

This goal fest comes via the Dell and Southampton.

Two teams who now can only look up and dream of playing Premier League football once more.

In what's becoming a theme, the star players are the ones to put on the best show and Matt Le Tissier's winning of two penalties, conversion of two penalties and magnificent free kick in vain show just what a one man show he put on. 

Derby 3-3 Leeds: 1996

I'm afraid I could only find the Derby half of this six goal stalemate, but even so it's entertaining enough in itself.

The things to take away are Dean Sturridge, incidentally the uncle of the very impressive Chelsea striker Daniel Sturrridge, who scores twice, as well as the sheer lack of enthusiasm from the commentator in the face of such great entertainment.

Really, you score six seconds after the restart to come back from two goals down and all you get is a monotone recognition of the scoreline, the subdued accompaniment doesn't do the occasion justice.  

Middlesborough 3-3 Liverpool: 1996

If you want the scene set for this one, I leave you in the very capable hands of Curtis Fleming from the start of the video. 

Just as an aside, Fabrizio Ravanelli would have never got away with that hair in the modern, celebritized Premier League world we now live in. Having said that, I bet no one would ever have said it to his face, unless, of course, he ever found himself sharing an elevator with Mario Balotelli.

Manchester United 3-2 Fulham: 2001

And this is what Sir Alex Ferguson saw in Louis Saha when he spent close to £13 million on the Frenchman in 2004, and on this form, who could blame him.

This is one of a few games we'll see of a team's first game in the Premier League after promotion. Fancy going to Old Trafford first up as you ease your way into the Premier League.

They may have left Manchester with no points but the Londoners have shown they could compete at this level, a belief vindicated by the fact they haven't left the top flight since.

Also, a David Beckham free kick is always good value.

Charlton 2-3 Chelsea: 2002

The video won't upload but you can see it here: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xa8mk5_2002-03-pl01-charlton-2-3-chelsea_sport.

This is a great London derby from happier days for Charlton fans. In fact, Paul Konchesky's day pretty much reflects how it's gone for Charlton as a whole.

Bolo Zenden is superb in this one and we also get a first glimpse and a glimmer of hope from Carlton Cole, unfortunately, the hope was clearly misplaced. 

Reading 3-2 Middlesborough: 2006

From 0-2 down to the perfect comeback, Reading fans must have thought the sky was the limit.

This game set up a dream opening season for Reading, now they find themselves languishing back in the revolving door of the Championship.

Having said that, Middlesborough are in no position to mock anymore either.

The two sides meet in the Championship on October 1st.

Everton 2-3 Blackburn: 2008

The highlights are here: http://video.fr.msn.com/watch/video/everton-blackburn/sgaiml7l

Dont't be put off by the French commentary, the action speaks for itself.

It's quite paradoxical that in this technological world we live in, the most recent match was the one I couldn't find an English version of.

Andre Ooijer is the man who completes the simplest of finishes, in injury time as well, to steal the game for Blackburn and Paul Ince, one of the few times he's smiled or tasted any form of success as a Premier League manager.

By the way, there's no way Mikel Arteta was trying to score with that free kick and I'm sure my French colleague agrees with me, I'm guessing.