15 Biggest Opening Day Shocks in Premier League History

By Michael Ramsay /

8. Wigan 0-1 Chelsea - 2005

What's shocking about a promoted side losing at home to a club of such magnitude and gargantuan wealth such as Chelsea? Isn't the tale only famous because Goliath was bested, instead of crushing David like an ant? At face value, there was nothing at all surprising about Jose Mourinho returning home to London with three points on the points. What did raise an eyebrow or two was that he didn't deserve to. Wigan Athletic were pinpointed as the smallest club to have ever received promotion to the Premier League. An opening day fixture with the reigning Premier League champions, who had just spent more cash on a substitute winger than Wigan had on their entire squad, awaited. Playing with a ferocious tenacity, Wigan were a breath of fresh air, as Paul Jewell instilled a no-fear mentality into the Latics. With the woodwork saving Chelsea from a Damien Francis header, Argentine striker Hernan Crespo broke 23,000 hearts in the JJB Stadium with a 93rd minute rifled shot into the top corner from 25 yards.