The Best Winning Starts in Premier League History-And How They Ended
It's how every manager draws it up. After a summer of running and touring, they all dream of the perfect start to competitive action.
The Premier League is a cruel mistress, and every victory must be earned. One win is tough enough, a string of triumphs is an admirable feat and a lengthy winning run to open the season is utopia.
There's typically a pace-setter, and an array of teams since the competition's inception in 1992 have enjoyed dream starts to the campaign, teasing a runaway title victory. But history has shown that titles aren't won in August, September or even October.
Here are the eight longest winning runs to start a Premier League season in the competition's history, and how each of team has fared. Man City 2023-24 (Six Wins) Man City rolled after securing the treble.
And City's midfield enforcer ensured their winning run stretched beyond two matches at the start of the fresh campaign, striking late at the newly promoted Sheffield United to secure a 2-1 victory at Bramall Lane. Pep Guardiola's side defeated Burnley and Newcastle United without conceding, then trounced Fulham and eased past West Ham United before a Rodri red card forced them to work for a sixth consecutive victory.
They were stunned by Wolverhampton Wanderers in Gameweek 7, and subsequently beaten by primary challengers Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium the following week. The Gunners would once again make a strong push for the title, but City embarked on a staggering 23-match unbeaten run, including 11 straight victories to wrap up the season, to lift a fourth-consecutive title.
Liverpool 2018-19 (Six Wins) Liverpool came up just short after an excellent start. The summer arrivals of Alisson and Fabinho proved transformative, as the Reds swiftly evolved into fierce title contenders after a fourth-place finish in 2017-18.
The tone was set with six straight wins to start the season, as Liverpool downed West Ham United, Crystal Palace and Brighton & Hove Albion without conceding. Victory at Tottenham Hotspur (when Spurs were not an incompetent force) was a statement triumph, and although their winning start was halted by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, the Reds wouldn't taste defeat until Jan.
Unfortunately, the 2-1 loss to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium would prove decisive, as Klopp's side cruelly missed out on the title despite amassing a whopping 97 points. Man City 2016-17 (Six Wins) Pep Guardiola's reign started with six wins.