Home Comforts: Spurs and five more Premier League stadium moves
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How did these sides fare in their new homes?
The wait is finally over. Tottenham Hotspur will move into their new home with a fixture against Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Wednesday night.
Spurs are widely expected to win their opening match at the new stadium at 4/9, with Harry Kane tipped to score the ground’s first competitive goal at 12/5.
However, new beginnings don’t always go the way they’re intended. We’ve looked back at five recent stadium moves and the opening fixture at each one.
West Ham United – London Stadium – 2016
The Hammers have endured a troubled time since their move to the London Stadium in 2016. But it all got off to the brightest of starts with a 3-0 victory over NK Domzale in the Europa League.
Cheikhou Kouyate hit a brace and Sofiane Feghouli scored once as the East Londoners put the Slovenian side to the sword in style.
AFC Bournemouth were the first visitors to the ground in the Premier League. They won that one too thanks to a Michail Antonio header in the 85th minute.
Arsenal – Emirates Stadium – 2006
The Gunners signed off at Highbury with a 4-2 win over Wigan Athletic. Things didn’t quite go to plan in their first match at the Emirates Stadium as Aston Villa held Arsene Wenger’s men to a 1-1 draw.
Gilberto Silva was the hero for Arsenal – his 84th-minute goal cancelling out Olof Mellberg’s opener. Their first win at the ground came four days later courtesy of a 2-1 success over Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League qualifiers.
Manchester City – Etihad Stadium – 2003
The Etihad Stadium has had a few different names down the years. From its current iteration to Eastlands and the City of Manchester Stadium – it’s already had a packed 16-year history.
Things got off to the ideal start all those years ago as Trevor Sinclair scored the stadium’s first goal in a 5-0 victory over Welsh side The New Saints in the UEFA Cup.
Portsmouth were the first visitors in the Premier League. Yakubu netted for the visitors before David Sommeil replied on 90 minutes to rescue a draw for the new tenants.
Leicester City – King Power Stadium – 2001
Brian Deane is synonymous with two things. He scored the first ever Premier League goal with Sheffield United in 1992, and then the first competitive goal at the King Power in 2001.
That strike 18 years ago was the first of two on the day for Deane, as the Foxes began life at the King Power – then the Walkers Stadium – with a 2-0 win over Watford.
Southampton – St Mary’s – 2001
Spurs will be hoping they don’t have to wait as long as Southampton for a first top-flight win in their new home. The Saints went five games before tasting success in November 2001 against Charlton Athletic.
Jimmy Floyd-Hasselbaink scored the first goal at St Mary’s as Claudio Ranieri’s Chelsea ran out 2-0 winners thanks to a late strike from Mario Stanic.
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