Burnley’s Matt Lowton hit by bottle and Man City's Rodri targeted by fans in tense weekend

Furious start to new year in Premier League as tension boils over in the stands

Burnley's Matthew Lowton, left, is hit on the head with a bottle thrown from the stands whilst celebrating with his teammates after Maxwel Cornet scored their side's first goal of the game during the English Premier League soccer match between Leeds United and Burnley, at Elland Road, in Leeds. England, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022. (Mike Egerton / PA via AP)

A match steward removes a bottle thrown on the pitch after it hit Burnley's Matthew Lowton at Elland Road on Sunday. PA

Burnley's Matthew Lowton reacts after being hit with a bottle thrown from the stands at Elland Road. PA

Referee Paul Tierney looks at Burnley's Matthew Lowton after he was hit on the head with a bottle thrown from the stands. AP

Burnley's Matthew Lowton receives treatment after being hit in the head with a bottle from the stands. PA

Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne kicks away bottles and rubbish that was thrown onto the pitch after they scored a second goal against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, January 1, 2022. PA

Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne stands amid debris thrown by spectators after Rodri's goal against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday. AFP

Debris is thrown on the pitch after Manchester City's Rodri scored at the Emirates Stadium. AFP

It was not the start to the new year Premier League would have hoped for. The first two days of matches saw some forgettable scenes played out in the stands, with the players facing the brunt of the fans' ire.

On Saturday, Arsenal supporters directed their anger at Manchester City players, presumably upset at the officiating.

Gunners fans hurled plastic bottles and toilet rolls at City’s celebrating players after Rodri scored a stoppage-time winner at the Emirates Stadium. They were apparently upset after seeing a penalty appeal of their own denied in the first half.

Then on Sunday, it got even more dangerous at Elland Road. Leeds United boosted their survival bid following a 3-1 win against Burnley. However, the result was marred after Clarets defender Matt Lowton was hit by a bottle thrown from the crowd.

Lowton was struck in the face by a soft drink bottle as his teammates celebrated Maxwel Cornet's goal.