As well as the match ball and the Man of the Match trophy Raheem Sterling took back to Manchester a Premier League mark not achieved in nine years.
The Manchester City winger claimed a hat-trick in the 5-0 win at West Ham United.
The last time that a player had hit three goals on the opening weekend was Didier Drogba.
The Chelsea striker struck a treble in a 6-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion on 14 August 2010.
Opening-weekend PL hat-tricks
| Player | Season | Club | Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mick Quinn | 1993/94 | COV | ARS |
| Matt Le Tissier | 1995/96 | SOU | NFO |
| Kevin Campbell | 1996/97 | NFO | COV |
| Fabrizio Ravanelli | 1996/97 | MID | LIV |
| Dion Dublin | 1997/98 | COV | CHE |
| Gabriel Agbonlahor | 2008/09 | AVL | MCI |
| Didier Drogba | 2010/11 | CHE | WBA |
| Raheem Sterling | 2019/20 | MCI | WHU |
Sterling became only the eighth player to hit a hat-trick in Matchweek 1 of a Premier League season, but he felt that a winning start to City’s title defence and a clean sheet were more important.
"It feels good but the important thing today was starting well as a team and getting the win and the three points," Sterling told CityTV.
"That’s what we’ve done and it’s a great way to start the season.”