Whatever your opinion on the matter, the sending-off stood, and Schar became one of only a few Premier League players to be sent off on the opening day of
The 2024/25 English Premier League season kicked off on Friday, 16th August at Old Trafford, where Manchester United beat Fulham 1-0. The Red Devils were hot favorites to win the game at the best sportsbook in Vegas but required a late goal to bag the win and all three points. Joshua Zirkzee marked his club debut by scoring the winner with 87 minutes on the clock in a thrilling end to what had been a tense encounter. The Red Devils got the desired result but showed little to suggest they could challenge for the title this term.
Following that late show on Friday, there was more drama as the fixtures continued on Saturday afternoon. One game that made headlines came from St James' Park, where Newcastle United beat Southampton 1-0 in controversial circumstances. The Magpies won that game despite playing most of the fixture with ten men after defender Fabian Schar was sent off following a clash on 28 minutes. Schar owed his teammates big for digging out a win and helping to spare his blushes following the ordering off.
An ill-tempered match quickly boiled over when Schar and opposite number, Ben Brereton Diaz, went head-to-head following a reckless challenge and petty shove in the back. There seemed little in it, but Diaz dramatically hit the turf when feeling the slightest of contact, resulting in referee Craig Pawson brandishing red. Was the incident deserving of a red? Most pundits and fans don't think so, with many claiming that Diaz went down too easily and fooled the officials.
Whatever your opinion on the matter, the sending-off stood, and Schar became one of only a few Premier League players to be sent off on the opening day of the season. The Swiss defender joins interesting company and got our team thinking about past dismissals on matchday one. Keep reading as we reflect on some memorable moments and big-name players who were sent for an early bath just minutes after the season began.
Duncan Ferguson, a towering striker known for his aggressive playing style, was no stranger to red cards during his career. On the opening day of the 1999-2000 season, Ferguson, then playing for Newcastle United, received a red card in a match against Aston Villa.
The game, held at Villa Park, ended in a 1-0 victory for the home side. Ferguson's dismissal was for violent conduct after an altercation with Villa's Steve Staunton. This incident highlighted Ferguson's fiery temperament, which, while making him a formidable player, often led to disciplinary issues.
Patrick Vieira, Arsenal's midfield enforcer, was known for his commanding presence on the pitch and his susceptibility to disciplinary issues. On the opening day of the 2000-2001 season, Vieira was sent off in a match against Sunderland.
The game ended in a 1-0 defeat for Arsenal, with Vieira receiving his marching orders for two bookings. The first was for a late tackle, and the second was for dissent. Vieira's red card was the first of several that season, highlighting his struggle to maintain composure in high-pressure situations.
Koscielny was sent off on the opening day of the 2013-2014 season in a match against Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium. Koscielny, a key figure in Arsenal's defense, received two yellow cards in quick succession, the first for a foul on Gabriel Agbonlahor and the second for a clumsy challenge on Andreas Weimann. Arsenal, reduced to ten men, struggled to cope with Villa's attacking threat and ultimately lost the match 3-1.
Koscielny's dismissal was a blow to Arsenal, as it exposed their defensive vulnerabilities and set the stage for a challenging start to the season. Despite the early setback, Arsenal managed to recover and finish in the top four.
The 2017-2018 season's opening day was disastrous for Chelsea, as they suffered a shocking 3-2 defeat at home to Burnley. Both Gary Cahill and Cesc Fàbregas were sent off. Cahill, the team captain, was shown a straight red for a dangerous tackle on Steven Defour, leaving Chelsea with a numerical disadvantage.
Fàbregas later received a second yellow for a late challenge on Jack Cork. The double dismissal was a significant factor in Chelsea's defeat and marked the beginning of a tumultuous season for the reigning champions, who struggled to defend their title. The red cards on the opening day were symbolic of Chelsea's broader struggles with discipline and consistency throughout the season.
Manchester City's Kyle Walker received a red card on the opening day of the 2018-2019 season in a match against Arsenal. Walker, known for his pace and defensive prowess, was sent off for two bookable offenses, the second being a late challenge on Arsenal's Nacho Monreal.
Despite being reduced to ten men, Manchester City managed to secure a 2-0 victory, demonstrating their resilience and depth. Walker's dismissal, however, highlighted the challenges that City would face in winning the Premier League title, as disciplinary issues threatened to derail their campaign. Nevertheless, City went on to have a successful season, winning the title with a record-breaking 98 points.
Arsenal's Francis Coquelin was sent off on the opening day of the 2016-2017 season in a match against Liverpool. The combative midfielder received two yellow cards, the first for a foul on Philippe Coutinho and the second for a late tackle on Adam Lallana.
Arsenal, already trailing, struggled to contain Liverpool's attacking onslaught and lost the match 4-3. Coquelin's dismissal was a critical moment in the game, as it left Arsenal vulnerable and unable to mount a comeback. The red also raised questions about Arsenal's midfield depth and discipline, issues that would persist throughout the season.
Will the opening day of the season set the tone for a bad-tempered campaign? You can follow the Premier League journey as it unfolds live on major broadcasters, including Sky Sports, TNT Sports, and Amazon Prime. Man City is the current champions and favorites to defend their crown but must be at their best to deny the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool, who will surely challenge.
