Capacity crowds return for first Premier League Saturday of 2021-22 season

After 17 months of empty seats and eerily quiet stadiums, capacity crowds returned in force on the first Saturday of the new Premier League season.

Social distancing measures at sporting venues were lifted following the easing of Covid restrictions in England on 19 July.

Brentford stunned Arsenal on a thunderous night in west London on Friday, and the atmosphere was no less buoyant around the grounds on Saturday.

Speaking after his side’s victory over Leeds at Old Trafford, Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said the return of supporters “creates and sets the mood”.

“You get the butterflies again,” added the Norwegian. “Suddenly it’s a game that matters.

"We felt extra responsibility because it's been so long without them. They mean so much to us. To have that love from the fans is so important."

Manchester United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who found the net in Everton’s comeback win against Southampton, said afterwards: “It’s a great feeling to score with fans being back in the stadium. I felt like a kid again.

“I scored a few last season but with no fans. That was a special one.”

Xisco Munoz, whose Watford side beat Aston Villa at Vicarage Road on their top-flight return, told BBC Sport: “Today was an amazing day, perfect because we met with our fans.”

Original article 15.08.21 on the BBC Sport website

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