Premier League
Fans recall memorable Premier League opening‑day matches
Supporters shared vivid recollections of Premier League opening‑day matches, ranging from a post‑promotion 1‑0 win over West Ham to a 3‑1 victory against Southampton in Gary Bennett’s 1984 debut, a 3‑0 triumph over West Ham last season, and a 4‑0 loss to Chelsea in 1999.
Dave says last season's opening‑day win over West Ham will live long in memory, after promotion. He also recalls the 2007‑08 opening match against Tottenham, when the club rose from bottom to champions under Roy Keane, creating a stadium party atmosphere.
Chris recalls the 1984 opening day when Gary Bennett debuted and his team beat Southampton 3‑1 at Roker Park. Benno scored early in that match.
Andy remembers the away game at Chelsea on 7 August 1999, the club’s first Premier League match back after two seasons out. They were beaten 4‑0, with only a nil‑nil scoreline avoided.
Keith recollects Sunderland versus Arsenal in 2001, played in a nearly new stadium. He highlights Stanislav Varga’s impressive cross‑field passes early on before an injury curtailed his season, and notes his team won.
Steve cites a 3‑0 win over West Ham last season on the club’s return to the Premier League. He adds that the worst memory was a 4‑0 loss at Chelsea in 1999 under Peter Reid, who later steered the side to a seventh‑place finish.
The article invites readers to return to the page at 10:00 BST to see the Black Cat’s 2026‑27 Premier League fixtures. The countdown to the fixture release is well underway.