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With the countdown to the 2026-27 Premier League fixture release well and truly on, we asked for your stories of opening-day games - both good and bad - that have stuck in your minds most.
Here are some of your replies:
Trevor: Best opening day - Goodison Park 1996 against Newcastle, with British transfer record Alan Shearer making his debut. The Magpies were put to the sword by inspired performances from 'Big Dunc' and Gary Speed. Special mention to a Tony Cottee hat-trick in 1988 on his Everton debut - again versus Newcastle. Worst opening day - newly promoted Crystal Palace were the visitors in 1997. Their new signing Atillio Lombardo destroyed us - probably his best performance for the Eagles - in a 2-1 loss.
Brian: After winning the FA Cup, we were all in good spirits inside Goodison as the trophy was paraded around before the opening game of 1984-85 season. But a surprise 4-1 home defeat by Tottenham on 25 August put a dampener on the celebrations. Despite the opening-day defeat, we went on to win the First Division title and the European Cup Winners' Cup, and then the Charity Shield before the following season.
Tony: Cottee signed for a record £2m fee and scored after 15 seconds on his debut against Newcastle, then went on to get a hat-trick. First game of the season was the highlight. Downhill thereafter as usual.
Anton: Worst opening day - 2009-10 and the 6-1 thrashing at home by Arsenal. I was at Bloodstock Festival and it did briefly dampen my spirits. Best was 1999-00 and the 1-1 at home against Manchester United with our two geriatric centre-halves - Dave Watson and Richard Gough.
Come back to this page at 10:00 BST to see how the Toffees' 2026-27 Premier League fixtures have fallen.
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