Source: Telegraph
Premier League's worst defeats on season opening weekend
Arsene Wenger's side were subjected to a substantial amount of criticism in the run up to the start of the new season having made few signings and sold Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure to Manchester City.
But the Frenchman, who has always preached about the faith he has in his young side, proved that without too many big names, his squad is capable of contending with the best.
David Moyes's men, however, were to be on the wrong end of Arsenal's blistering start with Everton suffering the heaviest league defeat on home turf on the opening weekend of the new season.
Crystal Palace 1 Liverpool 6: Aug 20 1994
Playing away at Selhurt Park to kick-off their 1994/95 season was not ideal in the eyes of many Liverpool supporters who had watched their club slump to a woeful end to the previous season and they appeared to have made little improvement in their pre-season tour.
But under the leadership of Roy Evans, goals from Jan Molby, Steve McManaman (2), Ian Rush (2) and Robbie Fowler put any doubts to bed and the club went on to finish fourth in the league.
Palace, meanwhile, finished the season as the division's lowest scoring side, were relegated and had their manager Alan Smith sacked.
Everton 1 Arsenal 6: Aug 15 2009
On paper it looked likely to be one of the most closely fought out battles of this season's opening weekend with the two sides finishing fourth (Arsenal) and fifth (Everton) in May. Their meetings last year resulted in a 1-1 draw and a 3-1 win in Arsenal's favour but surely neither manager could have predicted the annihilation that took place at Goodison Park.
Arsenal may be under more pressure to win silverware and prove themselves this season with Manchester City breathing down their necks for a Champions League spot but Arsene Wenger's side made it look easy.
Goals from Denilson,Tomas Vermaelen, William Gallas, Cesc Fabregas (2) and Eduardo will have sent a strong warning to any club writing them off.
Everton, meanwhile, had a disappointing pre-season and face a tough test with Manchester City, Wigan and Fulham their opposition in coming weeks.
Leicester 0 Bolton 5: Aug 18 2001
Bolton were Premier League newcomers in 2001 and began the season as the bookmakers' favourites for relegation. A couple of goals from Kevin Nolan and Per Frandsen and one for Michael Ricketts, however, saw manager at the time Sam Allardyce silence his critics and put Bolton firmly on the map as a club with genuine Premier League ability.
Their run of wins lasted three games, which in turn saw them go top of the league, but their form dwindled and they finished the season in 16th position - disappointing but the first time they had secured Premier League survival.
Leicester, meanwhile, had manager Peter Taylor sacked and replaced by David Bassett who was unable to prevent the club being relegated.
Blackburn 5 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1: Aug 16 2003
It had taken Wolves 19 years to get back into the top flight and with the city buzzing with anticipation the club could not have delivered a more disastrous start to their campaign. Manager Dave Jones compared his side's situation with that of Sunderland four year prior who, despite losing their opener against Chelsea 4-0, had ended the season in seventh place.
Wolves, however, did not share a similar fate and having finished bottom of the table were relegated.
Manchester United 5 Fulham 1: Aug 20 2006
In the build up to United's 2006/07 season Sir Alex Ferguson was subjected to much the same speculation as he has been this summer. Following the departure of Ruud van Nistelrooy to Real Madrid the squad's ability to score goals had been called into question, but owing to the likes of Paul Scholes, Wayne Rooney and a young Cristiano Ronaldo, the Old Trafford outfit proved that no player was bigger than the club's reputation.
For Fulham meanwhile, it was their sixth consecutive season in the top flight and they survived by the skin of their teeth finishing in 16th place - with just one point more that the three relegated sides.
