5 Match Winners From Premier League Opening Weekend

5. Simon Mignolet (Liverpool 1-0 Stoke City)

Liverpool dominated the opening game of the 2013-14 season in a 12:45 Saturday kickoff at home to Stoke City. They saw 55% possession of the ball, and won the shot count 25 to 12. The Reds fired in 11 shots on target on Asmir Begovi‡'s only to find the Bosnia and Herzegovina international in top form. Kolo Touré thumped a header onto the crossbar whilst Jordan Henderson struck the inside of the post as Liverpool failed to capitalise on their 1-0 lead that Daniel Sturridge had given them on 37 minutes with a well-placed 20-yard effort. For all their domination, Liverpool appeared to be heading for just 1 point in their opening game of the season as Daniel Agger handballed inside the penalty area in the final couple of minutes. Debutant Simon Mignolet, signed from Sunderland over the summer came to the Reds' rescue by saving Jonathan Walters' 89th minute spot kick to hand Mark Hughes a defeat in his first game in charge of the Potters. Liverpool held onto their 1-0 lead to pick up 3 points to start the season. 12 months ago Brendan Rodgers started with a 3-0 loss at West Bromwich Albion and didn't win until the sixth game of the season.