Republic of Ireland international Josh Cullen opened the scoring as Burnley got their Premier League campaign up and running with a 2-0 win over Sunderland at Turf Moor.
Cullen slotted home just 98 seconds after the restart and Jaidon Anthony bagged a breakaway goal in the final five minutes in the battle of the promoted sides.
Burnley finished 24 points ahead of Sunderland in the Championship last season but the margin between the two teams looks set to be much closer this time around, so this could be a big win.
Boss Scott Parker celebrated his first Premier League win in almost three years and will be pleased his side were able to get on the board so early as they look to avoid an instant return to the second tier.
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Sunderland were brought back down to earth after a memorable Premier League return last weekend against West Ham and they could see this as a missed opportunity after wasting some early chances.
They had looked to pick up where they left off against the Hammers and should have scored inside four minutes as Dan Ballard’s header from a set-piece was perfect for Reinildo Mandava to turn in at the far post but he shot straight at a grateful Martin Dubravka.
The visitors had another good chance when Chemsdine Talbi was played in by Simon Adingra but he clipped wide.
It was Burnley who had the ball in the back of the net in the 19th minute when Lyle Foster crashed home but the celebrations were short-lived after referee Michael Salisbury adjudged the striker to have fouled Jenson Seelt.
Goalmouth action dried up significantly for the rest of the first half but Burnley did take the lead just 98 seconds after the restart.
Anthony’s clever flick opened things up for Cullen and he stroked a 16-yard effort into the bottom corner.
Cullen’s effort lit up Turf Moor but it was another light show shortly after which disrupted play as the floodlights began flashing in random patterns, causing a four-minute delay.
Sunderland threw bodies forward in an attempt to get something out of the game but they failed to test Dubravka.
And it left them exposed as Burnley killed the game in the 88th minute, with Anthony racing clear from Cullen’s brilliant through ball, rounding Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs and slamming into an empty net.
It was almost three as Loum Tchaouna grazed the post with a late effort, but Burnley’s work was done.
Dango Ouattara celebrated his record £42.5 million Brentford move with the winning goal as Keith Andrews earned his first victory as manager against Aston Villa at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Following an alarming collapse in their Premier League opener away to Nottingham Forest a week ago, the hosts hinted at life after Thomas Frank with a guileful display every bit as gritty and intelligent as those that were a hallmark under their former boss, grinding out a fine 1-0 win against a Villa side that ran out of ideas long before full-time.
The winning goal came early in the first half, a wonderfully direct link-up between Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher, striker Igor Thiago, whose Bees career looks finally to be taking off in earnest, and the always-powerful Ouattara, demonstrating why the club broke their transfer record in order to sign him from Bournemouth.
Kelleher was another new face who impressed, saving well with his foot after John McGinn’s low shot emerged late through a forest of defenders.
Marcus Tavernier’s early deflected finish earned Bournemouth a 1-0 win over 10-man Wolves at Vitality Stadium.
The winger fired home a fourth-minute effort via a substantial touch off Wanderers defender Emmanuel Agbadou as the Cherries bounced back from last week’s 4-2 loss to Liverpool.
Wolves were unable to prevent a second successive defeat this term after captain Toti Gomes was sent off in the 49th minute for pushing Bournemouth striker Evanilson in the back as he raced through on goal.
Andoni Iraola’s hosts had plenty of chances to make the result more comfortable but were forced to endure a nervy ending.
Antoine Semenyo, who suffered racial abuse before scoring twice at Anfield, hit the crossbar minutes after assisting Tavernier’s opener and threatened again in the second period, while Tyler Adams brought a fine save out of Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa.
