Manchester City opened the defence of their Premier League title in ominous fashion on Saturday as Raheem Sterling scored a hat-trick in a 5-0 thrashing of West Ham, while Burnley and Brighton enjoyed impressive wins. However, the introduction of Video Assistant Referees (VAR) for the first time in the Premier League proved Saturday's big talking point with a series of reviews and delays at the London Stadium.
City had a goal ruled out for the tightest of offside calls against Sterling and Sergio Aguero was afforded the chance to retake a penalty by VAR after seeing his first attempt saved.
"Only what I wish is that VAR doesn't make mistakes please," said City boss Pep Guardiola, who felt that his side's disallowed goal should have stood. The visitors led at the break thanks to Gabriel Jesus' opener, but moved through the gears after the break as Sterling scored twice in 14 minutes.
Aguero then denied the England international the chance to seal his hat-trick from the spot, before the 24-year-old eventually grabbed his third goal of the game in stoppage time.
Brighton's new manager Graham Potter enjoyed a dream start to his time in charge as the Seagulls beat last season's FA Cup finalists Watford 3-0 at Vicarage Road.
Abdoulaye Doucoure's own goal gave the visitors a half-time lead before Florin Andone and Neil Maupay on his debut sealed a highly impressive three points for a Brighton side that narrowly escaped relegation last season. Burnley were also 3-0 winners at Turf Moor as an Ashley Barnes double and Johann Gudmundsson's strike condemned Southampton to a heavy defeat.
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