The phrase
"to net the opener" means to score the first goal or point in a game or competition.
Full definition
It is almost three years since City scored twice in stoppage time against QPR to win the Premier League title in dramatic fashion and Zabaleta, who
netted the opener in the 3 - 2 victory, has fond memories of the clash.
The Frenchman,
who netted the opener at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, was very open in his assessment of team - mate Diego Costa, who was involved in the first - half fracas that resulted in defender Gabriel Paulista's sending off.
Mesut Ozil has kept up his 100 % scoring record for Arsenal in the North London derby after
netting the opener against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane.
Perhaps one of the Portuguese manager's most fortunate trophies with Drogba scoring just minutes after Sir Alex Ferguson's side appeared to have
netted the opener only for it to be ruled out.
Dusan Tadic
netted the opener for the Saints in the first half before Gylfi Sigurdsson replied with a superb strike on the stroke of half time - but that's where the good times stopped for Everton.
Tottenham Hotspur became the latest victims of Pierre - Emerick Aubameyang's goalscoring heroics tonight as the Borussia Dortmund
striker netted the opener in their Europa League clash.
Di Maria goal video:
Argentine nets opener against Everton Find out who are the richest footballers in the Premier League here.
He showed incredible speed and commitment to get back to try and stop Wayne
Rooney netting the opener and it was massively unlucky that he saw the ball roll in off of his own foot.
Austin netted the opener midway through the first half, but was substituted in the closing stages with a hamstring complaint and Southampton boss Mauricio Pellegrino confirmed he is likely to be sidelined for the remainder of the festive schedule regardless.
Kevin De
Bruyne netted the opener (19) with a low, left - footed effort from 16 yards into the bottom right corner, and Sergio Aguero made it 2 - 0 from the penalty spot (50) after Raheem Sterling was shoved in the box by Nacho Monreal.
Willian, who was the Blues» standout performer on the night,
netted the opener in the 62nd minute after hitting the woodwork on two previous occasions in the first period.
Nani managed to do a good impression of Cristiano Ronaldo for 45 minutes and
netted the opener but did little in the second half until he was hauled off after injuring his shoulder.
He can be backed at 8 with bet365, Betfred and Boylesports to
net the opener, and at 3.25 with Paddy Power in their anytime scorer market.