Final Results of Saturday 23rd August 2008

Blackburn Rovers 1-1 Hull City
Liverpool 2-1 Middlesbrough
Newcastle United 1-0 Bolton Wanderers
Stoke City 3-2 Aston Villa
Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Sunderland
West Bromwich Albion 1-2 Everton
Fulham 1-0 Arsenal

Match Report - August 23rd, 2008

Liverpool 2 Middlesbrough 1

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard fired a stunning stoppage-time winner to floor Middlesbrough after they threatened an Anfield shock.

England head coach Fabio Capello suggested in midweek that Gerrard is not fully fit, but he was still going strong late in the game against Boro as Liverpool came from behind to claim three points.

Boro had not won in the league at Anfield since 1976, and when Mido came off the bench to put them ahead with 20 minutes left that record looked likely to be consigned to history.

But Jamie Carragher saw a 20-yard cross-shot deflect home off Emanuel Pogatetz for an own goal with five minutes of regulation time remaining, and then Gerrard rifled home a 20-yard winner deep into injury-time.

A pre-match injury to goalkeeper Brad Jones meant Ross Turnbull was thrust into action at the last moment.

He was put under immediate pressure by Liverpool. After three minutes Fernando Torres surged towards the penalty area and fed Dirk Kuyt whose fierce drive was turned aside at full stretch by Turnbull.

Then Andrea Dossena fired over a swirling cross-shot which Turnbull pushed behind.

Torres saw a flicked header go wide before there was a lengthy delay when Dossena and Jeremie Aliadiere clashed heads, both leaving the field.

Boro's French forward returned with his head heavily bandaged, while Dossena needed a stitch before being allowed back into the fray.

It then took a fine flying save from Jose Reina to touch over an 18-yard shot from Boro's Andrew Taylor.

Tuncay and Afonso Alves gave Liverpool central defenders Carragher and Skrtel plenty to think about before Gerrard almost scored at the other end when his dipping drive flashed just over, following neat build-up play between Torres and Kuyt.

Middlesbrough's England winger Stewart Downing, a possible target for Liverpool, cut inside two defenders from the left before sending a shot just wide of the far post.

The pace barely dropped, and only fine defending by David Wheater twice stopped Torres in the box, the second time after the Spaniard had been put clear by Kuyt.

Torres should then have given Liverpool a half-time lead but his shot was deflected wide by Emanuel Pogatetz.

Boro sent out Turnbull for a half-time warm-up in front of the Kop, the goal the visitors were due to defend in the second period.

But despite having the majority of possession, Liverpool were not making clear chances.

All the effort in the world was there from Keane and Kuyt, but Boro's defence was standing firm.

Liverpool's set-plays were weak and ineffective, and corners in particular were repeatedly wasted.

Boro sent on Mido for Alves on the hour mark, the Teesside club clearly believing they could get something out of the match.

And they almost took the lead after 62 minutes when Mido crossed from the left and Tuncay produced a clever turn and flick before forcing Reina into a sharp save.

Liverpool sent on Ryan Babel, fresh from his Olympic campaign with Holland, in place of Yossi Benayoun after 65 minutes.

Torres immediately went close with a 25-yard strike, but it was Boro who grabbed the lead after 70 minutes.

Xabi Alonso conceded possession and the ball was switched from Aliadiere to Mido, some 30 yards out. His fierce, low drive beat Reina and found the bottom right corner.

Liverpool replaced Dossena with Fabio Aurelio, with Boro sending on Hoyte for Taylor.

Keane was booked for dissent after Liverpool were denied a penalty when Gerrard's fierce drive was deflected wide, seemingly off a Middlesbrough player's arm.

Liverpool sent on Nabil El Zhar for Arbeloa with seven minutes left and they finally managed to pile on the pressure.

They drew level when Carragher made the most of Riley playing an advantage after a shot from Alonso hit Gary O'Neil's arm.

Amid loud appeals for a spot-kick, Carragher unleashed a shot which looked to be going off target but deflected past the unlucky Turnbull off Pogatetz.

Turnbull made a fine save from a Gerrard free-kick in injury-time. But in the fourth minute of added time, Liverpool's talisman smashed home the winner, driving the ball into the right corner of the net from the edge of the penalty area after Wheater's poor defensive header.

Stoke City 3 Aston Villa 2

Mamady Sidibe netted in injury-time as Stoke City claimed a dramatic 3-2 victory over Aston Villa to record their first victory in the Barclays Premier League.

Tony Pulis' side's direct style proved to be effective against Villa and his men claimed a deserved win after a pulsating match at the Britannia Stadium.

Liam Lawrence's 30th-minute penalty was cancelled out by John Carew's neat finish in the 62nd minute before the Potters took the lead again through Ricardo Fuller 10 minutes from time.

Villa skipper Martin Laursen looked to have rescued a point for the visitors three minutes later but Sidibe's header from Rory Delap's throw gave Pulis' battling Potters the points.

A high-tempo start saw Gabriel Agbonlahor put through in the second minute, but new £2.25million signing Abdoulaye Faye slid in to intercept the ball, which City goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen cleared to safety.

Stoke, backed by a vociferous home crowd who were taking in their first match in the English top flight for 23 years, had their first real chance five minutes later after Stiliyan Petrov fouled Dickinson on the left edge of the penalty area.

Lawrence whipped the resulting free-kick into the box but Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel ignored the physical presence of Fuller and claimed well.

Lawrence was Stoke's main attacking outlet and he found space down the right flank in the 18th minute before delivering a high cross into the penalty area - but Fuller was unable to make contact.

Villa launched a counter-attack in the 24th minute but Ashley Young was unable to pick out Carew and Stoke cleared the danger.

The visitors had a shout for a penalty turned down in the 27th minute when Agbonlahor went down among a crowd of bodies, but referee Mark Halsey waved away the protests of the Villa players.

Stoke were then awarded a penalty of their own three minutes later after Laursen brought down Delap.

Lawrence took the spot-kick and drilled the ball low into the bottom-left corner past the dive of Friedel.

The home side continued to press and could have been 2-0 up in the 37th minute when Fuller was picked out by a long ball on the edge of the area - but the Jamaican international screwed his shot wide.

Stoke went close again in first-half added time after Delap's long throw-in was headed wide by the unmarked Fuller.

Substitute Salif Diao lashed a shot into the stands from long range after Fuller had laid the ball off.

Stoke adopted a direct style and their pressure was rewarded in the 80th minute with a superb finish from Fuller.

Lawrence released the striker with a perfectly-weighted through-ball and Fuller smashed a low shot from a narrow angle past Friedel.

But Stoke were again unable to hold on to the lead as Laursen finished from close range three minutes later.

Ashley Young fired a low shot at goal after his initial free-kick was cleared and the ball hit several players before it fell perfectly at the feet of the Danish international, who swept home from six yards.

The match looked to be heading for a draw but a long throw from Delap in injury-time found Sidibe - and he rose highest to head home from close range.

Fulham 1 Arsenal 0

Fulham held on for a famous victory over Arsenal which was secured by big defender Brede Hangeland's first goal for the club.

Arsenal's Robin van Persie missed a golden chance before Norwegian Hangeland turned in a corner from Jimmy Bullard in the 21st minute.

Emmanuel Adebayor hit the right post with a header for Arsenal soon afterwards, but that was as close as the Gunners came to an equaliser.

Arsenal tried to impose their possession game in the early stages but were caught out when Zoltan Gera slipped a fine ball through to Bobby Zamora in the inside left channel in the eighth minute.

The former West Ham United striker glided in behind the defenders but chipped a shot over the crossbar from a difficult angle.

And Arsenal were grateful to Gael Clichy for getting back to dispossess Zamora a few minutes later when the former West Ham striker came raiding again - this time down the right.

Arsenal's first shot finally came after 12 minutes when van Persie's pass found Adebayor and the big Togo forward neatly controlled but fired a low drive off-target from 20 yards.

Danny Murphy hit a volley over the bar when the Gunners, briefly down to 10 men with Emmanuel Eboue limping off, could only half-clear Gera's cross.

Arsenal should have gone ahead in the 18th minute. Walcott's cross from the right was miskicked by newcomer Nasri - and van Persie slammed an inviting chance wide.

And the visitors paid a heavy penalty when Fulham grabbed the lead from a corner just a minute later.

Giant defender Hangeland responded faster than any Arsenal defender to Bullard's low driven free-kick, sliding in to toe-poke his first goal for the club.

And Fulham's luck held when Adebayor's header came back off a post from a Bacary Sagna cross.

Arsenal finally started to put some pressure on the Fulham rearguard, and van Persie went close with a header under a challenge from Aaron Hughes.

Zamora was through again when William Gallas tried to play him offside. But the striker hesitated and was robbed by the recovering Clichy.

At the other end, Walcott fired over the bar from distance - a token effort by Arsenal, who looked out of sorts.

It was typical of Arsenal's first-half performance when after Kallio's tackle was deemed a foul on Walcott, van Persie's free-kick from 20 yards flew high over the bar.

Arsenal had clearly been given some sharp words by manager Arsene Wenger at the interval because they began the second half with more purpose.

Yet there was no breaking down the Fulham defence in the opening 10 minutes with Hangeland and Aaron Hughes standing firm and the home midfield quartet repeatedly cutting down space with quick challenges.

Adebayor shook off his first-half lethargy to drive his side forward and newcomer Nasri was all grit and determination.

But it was Fulham who forged another chance on the break just before the hour mark when Seol outwitted Toure and sent in a fine near-post cross which Zamora drilled just too high.

Adebayor's 20-yard shot at the other end was well off target, but at least Arsenal were now getting in some shots and crosses even though Walcott remained almost anonymous on the right.

Fulham were holding onto their lead fairly comfortably, with goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer yet to be tested.

Arsenal sent on Bendtner as substitute for Walcott with 25 minutes left, clearly trying to add muscle to their passing game.

It almost paid off when Van Persie's well-struck low drive went just wide in the 68th minute after a slick move .

Fulham had to withstand Arsenal's bombardment in the last 20 minutes but the visitors did not threaten as might have been expected and the home side always had Zamora lurking for a chance on the break.

Song replaced Toure, shortly after Kallio had limped off for Fulham to be replaced by Chris Baird.

It was all hands to the pump for Fulham with four added minutes at the end but their fans looked more anxious than the players as Arsenal toiled in vain.

21st August News - Comment: Big four or big fall?

Source - espnstar.com

The ever optimistic supporter, Kelvin Leong, bemoans another opening day that went wrong for the club he loves.

The ever optimistic supporter, Kelvin Leong, bemoans another opening day that went awfully wrong for the club he loves.

Every year, Tottenham fans start the season with a loud declaration. "This is the breakthrough season!"

Sadly, come the end of every season, or should I say mid-season, the Lilywhites' fans droop their heads in utter disbelief as another forgettable campaign comes and goes with no sign of the desired ‘breakthrough'.

Make no mistake. I am one of the above mentioned fools.

August 16 2008 marked an exciting day. The 2008/09 Barclays Premier League was due to kick off and, as usual, the cockerel held its head high enroute to Teeside to play Middlesbrough.

Spanish coach, Juande Ramos, had brought in a host of flair players such as Luka Modric, Giovanni Dos Santos and David Bentley to usher in the brand of attacking football he was renowned for during his time at Sevilla.

The boys trotted out at the Riverside looking confident - even cocky. But 90 minutes later, they shuffled back into the dressing room wondering what lies ahead after going down 2-1 in a lackluster showing.

How our hopes have vanished so fast is inexplicable. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to tell you what went wrong.

Defence

Why on earth was Gareth Bale left on the bench with the clumsy pairing of Benoit Assoue-Ekotto and Didier Zokora starting ahead of him?

Bale has been in sensational form in preseason, often rampaging down the left in support of Mexican boy wonder, Dos Santos and creating a hosts of chances for Dimitar Berbatov and Darren Bent.

Hutton proved his worth with Rangers and Scotland before moving to White Hart Lane and his dangerous overlapping runs down the right complimented Bentley's wing play to perfection.

So my question here is, why did Ramos decided to switch things up on the opening day after sticking to the same formation and players in preseason?

As expected, Ekotto and Zokora did nothing more than run around like headless chickens.

Tactical error obviously.

Midfield

Anyone who witnessed the 5-0 friendly demolition of Roma a week back, will tell you how devastating the combination of Bentley, Modric and Dos Santos can be.

Bentley, playing wide right, tormented the Romans with two deadly free kicks and his delightful crosses into the box created chance after chance for Bent and Berbatov.

Dos Santos' slalom-like runs down the left made defenders look like Sunday school league boys trying, but failing miserably, to do their best.

And add to that, Modric's needle-eyed precision passes from the middle which often made Roma's defence look second-class.

So why, I ask again in vain, did Ramos play Bentley down the left, Dos Santos as a striker and Modric as a holding midfielder while allowing Jermaine Jenas the license to attack?

Another tactical error.

Attack

Who has been the striker most talked about in the off season? A certain brooding Bulgarian who oozes class.

The man in question? Dimitar Berbatov.

Yes, I agree that his mind might have drifted to Old Trafford. But if his name is still on our books, why not play him and utilize him to the max before he leaves?

Bent struggled to combine with Dos Santos upfront and who can blame him?

His speed and off the ball running often goes best - think sakae and sashimi - with a target man laying it off for him.

As hard as Dos Santos might try, the boy is shorter than the standard sized office cabinet. So how is he supposed to play the role of a target man?

Tactical error again, again and again.

I hate having to sit down after the opening game as a Spurs fan and question the manager. But season after season - we lost away to Sunderland last season on the opening day - we shoot ourselves in the foot with our grave tactical errors.

Face it. Ramos is paid big bucks to pick the right players and choose the right tactics. And as much as I think he is a good manager for us, he'll have to deliver the results fast.

Come on you Spurs!

21st August News - Brown backs United striking pair

Source - espnstar.com

Wes Brown backs Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez to solve United's lack of firepower that has been missing in recent weeks.

The right-back, who scored England's second goal against Czech Republic in the 2-2 friendly on Wednesday, is confident United's striking problems will be solved aganist Portsmouth on Monday.

Rooney returned against Newcastle after virus disrupted his pre-season, but Tevez missed the match to fly home following a family bereavement. However, United could have both players fit and firing to face Portsmouth at Fratton Park.

"We've not scored too many goals recently,” admits Wes Brown.

“But we've had quite a few injuries so I'm not too concerned. Wayne has not played much and any side would miss him. But I'm sure we'll fine [with him back in the team]."

Rooney looked slightly short of match fitness against the Magpies, but 90 minutes of action can only aid his sharpness. Meanwhile, Tevez looked like a man possessed during pre-season, and will look to pick up where he left off when he returns to Manchester.

"Carlos [Tevez] was incredible on his own up front in pre-season," adds Wes. "He's looked really sharp and hungry - I don't know where he gets his energy from."

The 1-1 draw against Newcastle on the opening day was not the ideal start to United’s title defence. But with three Premier League away games in a row against Portsmouth, Liverpool (Sat 13 Sept) and Chelsea (Sun 21 Sept), the Reds must quickly move on.

Brown knows not to underestimate the challenge ahead of retaining the English and European crowns. “There’s a buzz around the place after last season’s success,” he says. “But it’s going to be tough to retain the two trophies, or even win more.”

Sunday Final Results 17th August 2008

Chelsea 4-0 Portsmouth
Aston Villa 4-2 Manchester City
Manchester United 1-1 Newcastle United

Sunday Match Reviews - 17th August 2008

Source - www.premierleague.com

Chelsea 4 Portsmouth 0

Luiz Felipe Scolari got his Chelsea reign up and running with victory over Portsmouth at Stamford Bridge and a message of attacking intent to the rest of the Barclays Premier League.

Scolari's first competitive match in charge suggested he wants style as well as substance, and they continued to push forward once Joe Cole opened the scoring in the 12th minute.

Nicolas Anelka, Scolari's only senior forward available, headed in his first goal at home for Chelsea before Frank Lampard put the result beyond doubt just before the break, scoring a penalty just five days after sealing his new five-year contract at the club.

Deco, on his debut, added a fourth from long range just before the end.

While Lampard may have been in the headlines this week it was Scolari who took centre stage on the opening weekend of the new season.

The Brazilian had promised a samba style to his time in west London, and he did not disappoint after being introduced to the crowd and giving them a thumbs-up.

Like his Brazil team that won the 2002 World Cup, he relied on his full-backs to create width - instead of Cafu and Roberto Carlos he has Jose Bosingwa and Ashley Cole marauding forward.

It allowed his five-man midfield to dominate through the middle, which is where the opener was created from less than a quarter of an hour into Scolari's career in England.

Anelka cushioned a header back to Michael Ballack, who lifted the ball over Pompey's defence with the outside of his boot for midfielder Cole to steer his finish around David James.

It could have got worse for the visitors as Lampard split their defence again, only this time James saved with his feet when Anelka ran through.

The France striker was not made to wait long for his goal. Bosingwa helped set it up by getting to the byline and standing up a cross to the far post.

Ballack almost got in the way as Deco met the ball but the Portugal midfielder managed to clip over James and Anelka beat Sylvain Distin on the line to head into the empty net.

Anelka should have added a third on the half-hour mark when he raced through again, but his effort went just wide of the post after he tapped the ball around James.

Pompey also suggested they were willing to fight back when Petr Cech was forced into a double save before the break, first from Niko Kranjcar's powerful drive, then bravely with his body when Peter Crouch latched onto the rebound.

However, their hopes ended when Chelsea were awarded a penalty in first-half stoppage-time after Distin handled a cross by midfielder Cole.

Lampard tucked away the spot-kick and tapped his badge in celebration as he ran to the crowd.

The attacking continued after the break, with Anelka twice firing over the crossbar after the restart.

Midfielder Cole was sent through over the top again but fired wide of the post after outpacing the Pompey defence.

Younes Kaboul thought he had sight of goal from a corner but his effort came off his knee, and Crouch could not tame the ball when it fell to him.

Pompey also had a penalty appeal when Niko Kranjcar's drive was blocked by Ricardo Carvalho.

Crouch's partnership with Jermain Defoe clearly needs time to gel. It took them 78 minutes to combine, and Defoe could not get direction on his finish when he met a flick-on.

Deco's goal came in the 89th minute, a powerful and swerving effort from 30 yards that James could only parry into the top corner.

Aston Villa 4 Manchester City 2

Gabriel Agbonlahor scored a seven-minute hat-trick as Aston Villa beat Mark Hughes' Manchester City side in the Barclays Premier League opener at Villa Park.

Agbonlahor was left out of the squad by Fabio Capello for Wednesday's friendly with the Czech Republic but took out any disappointment he may have been feeling on City in devastating fashion.

It was also a perfect way for Agbonlahor to celebrate after signing a new four-year contract with Villa on Thursday.

His Villa team-mate Ashley Young, overlooked as well by Capello, was also in impressive form as he laid on two goals in an impressive all-round display by Martin O'Neill's side.

They attacked with great purpose with John Carew dominating in the air and City only briefly threatened after a defensive mix-up handed them a penalty converted by Elano.

Little went right for City after they suffered a pre-match setback when striker Valeri Bojinov was injured in the warm-up and he was replaced by 19-year-old Ched Evans with Felipe Caicedo being drafted in as a substitute.

Villa made a promising start with Carew causing plenty of problems in the air - and the Norway international twice went close to breaking the deadlock.

Carew was first to react to a corner from Ashley Young but his glancing header flew just past the far post. Then the Villa striker got on the end of another corner - this time by Gareth Barry - and forced Joe Hart to save away to his right.

Michael Johnson blocked a close-range drive from Ashley Young and Carew's first-time low drive had Hart sprawling across his goal to collect.

City threatened for the first time when Kelvin Etuhu went past Nicky Shorey on the outside before firing a low attempt across the face of Brad Friedel's goal with no-one able to apply a finishing touch.

But then midfielder Gareth Barry missed a good opportunity for Villa after 26 minutes. Nigel Reo-Coker burst down the right flank and his powerful cross was only parried by Hart into the path of Barry but from eight yards out he hooked the ball wide.

Brad Friedel had to make his first save of note after 30 minutes when he got his body behind Martin Petrov's low drive after good play by Gelson Fernandes set up the opportunity.

Villa needed only two minutes of the second period to break the deadlock through Carew - last season's top marksman with 13 goals.

Barry found Ashley Young in space on the left flank and the winger sent over the kind of pinpoint cross which Carew thrives on as he sent a powerful header past Hart from six-yards out.

City tried to respond instantly and Luke Young did well to block a powerful drive from 15-yards out by Elano.

Friedel finger-tipped a low cross shot from Garrido around the post and Martin Petrov volleyed into the side netting.

But it needed a mix-up between Luke Young and Shorey to present City with an equaliser after 63 minutes.

There appeared to be little danger but the two full-backs hesitated and let in Michael Johnson who was eventually brought down by Luke Young in the box.

Referee Phil Dowd immediately pointed to the penalty spot and Elano sent Friedel the wrong way from the spot.

But Villa needed only five minutes to regain the lead through Agbonlahor. An Ashley Young corner was turned back across goal by Curtis Davies to Agbonlahor who beat Hart with a right-foot volley and within five minutes Agbonlahor had struck again to double Villa's lead.

Ashley Young picked out the overlapping Barry and his cross was headed home by the England Under-21 player.

Then in the 76th minute Agbonlahor completed his first senior hat-trick when he raced onto a Barry through-ball and clipped the ball past Hart.

Corluka scored an 89th minute consolation goal for City but they were well beaten by the final whistle.

Manchester United 1 Newcastle United 1

Manchester United shared the first points of their new Barclays Premier League campaign after a 1-1 draw with Newcastle United at Old Trafford.

Sir Alex Ferguson is unlikely to be too concerned at the loss of two points, given that the Champions finished top last term despite collecting only two from their opening three matches.

But he ended Saturday's match with Patrice Evra providing Wayne Rooney with support up front, revealing the need for another striker in the United ranks.

Frazier Campbell was impressive as an individual, and the Red Devils as a whole were a pretty fearful unit in the opening stages before their cutting edge was blunted.

Ryan Giggs could easily have had a penalty when his early free-kick crashed into James Milner, and Shay Given was required to stand firm amid a barrage of United attacks.

At one stage, Given even saved with his head as Paul Scholes flashed a shot goalwards.

The hosts' problems were at the back against a Newcastle side aided in no small part by the excellence of one of their Argentinian new boys Jonas Gutierrez.

Gutierrez's claims for a penalty when he was tackled by Nemanja Vidic were invalid - replays showing the former Real Mallorca player was outside the box - but by keeping the United defence on their toes, he seemed to unsettle their whole rearguard.

Obafemi Martins was not tracked as he leapt alone to meet Milner's corner with enough power to send it past Scholes, who was trying to clear off the line. The pity for Newcastle was that their lead lasted just two minutes.

Evra was getting forward even more than usual and fed Giggs, who struck a low cross to the near post.

In the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo - who was in the stands but will not be seen on the pitch until October - and his suspended compatriot Nani, Darren Fletcher had been given a big hole to fill.

But the Scot is a determined character, and his eye for an opportunity was to be admired as he stole in to steer a first-time effort past Given.

With the second half taking on a similar pattern to the first, United looked as likely to concede a second as score one.

Martins tested Edwin van der Sar from long range - but then so did Campbell as Given stretched once more to keep the youngster's shot out.

If Martins had been able to keep his header down from point-blank range after United had once again got their marking all wrong from a Milner corner, the hosts really would have been in trouble.

As it was, an increasingly tired-looking Campbell tried his luck before Vidic - who had earlier pulled off a superb tackle to deny Gutierrez a clear run at goal - saw his downward header bounce up on to the crossbar.

Rooney floated a cross-shot on to the roof of Given's net near the end and, having also been booked, bent a free-kick round the post in stoppage time.

But Newcastle were hardly under siege as they collected the point they deserved.

Final Results Saturday 16th August 2008

Arsenal 1-0 West Bromwich Albion
Bolton Wanderers 3-1 Stoke City
Everton 2-3 Blackburn Rovers
Hull City 2-1 Fulham
Middlesbrough 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur
West Ham United 2-1 Wigan Athletic
Sunderland 0-1 Liverpool

Saturday Match Reviews - 16th August 2008

Source - www.premierleague.com

Arsenal 1 West Brom 0

A debut goal for Samir Nasri proved enough to give Arsenal a 1-0 win over new boys West Bromwich Albion on the opening day of the Barclays Premier League season at the Emirates Stadium.

The £12million Frenchman netted after only four minutes as the Gunners dominated the first half.

However, it was a different story following the restart as last season's Championship winners fought back and were unfortunate not to get something from the match.

Arsene Wenger - whose injury-hit squad had battled to victory in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier against FC Twente in Holland during the week - was in the end no doubt happy enough with the final result.

But the Gunners manager knows it will take more than such average performances over the next nine months to secure a first league title since 2004. As expected, Arsenal were soon on the offensive, and forced a succession of early corners.

It proved to be a dream start for Nasri. The ball was worked quickly through the right side of the penalty area to Denilson, who cut the back into the path of the French winger and he calmly guided his shot low into the far corner.

Arsenal were soon rampant again, as Emmanuel Adebayor chipped the ball over for Theo Walcott, whose goalbound close-range header was blocked by Baggies defender Paul Robinson.

Gunners captain William Gallas was allowed space some 30 yards out - and his low, rasping drive was only just wide of Scott Carson's right-hand post.

West Brom were struggling to get a foothold in the match and Arsenal surged forwards again in the 18th minute. Right-back Bacary Sagna let fly with an angled drive, which deflected off Meite and almost into the far corner.

Nicklas Bendtner headed wide from a near-post corner as the Gunners threatened to extend their lead once again. There was finally some respite for the battered Baggies when they forced a corner in the 27th minute.

However, the delivery was poor and eventually the ball went out harmlessly for a goal-kick.

Manuel Almunia was eventually called into action on the half hour when Ishmael Miller flicked on a long ball into the path of Do-Heon Kim. The Korean held off his marker and drilled in a low shot from the edge of the box, which the Arsenal keeper had to turn behind at full-stretch.

Johan Djourou then did well to get back ahead of Miller as the West Brom striker looked to sneak in behind the home defence. This was now the best spell for the newly-promoted Black Country club.

However, the visitors were still unable to create another decent opening as the interval approached.

Neither manager made any changes at the restart, although news did filter through that full-back Justin Hoyte's £3million move from Arsenal to Middlesbrough had now been completed.

Adebayor sliced wide from an acute angle when the ball broke kindly to the big African in the left side of the penalty area.

On 50 minutes, there was a big let-off for Arsenal. First Miller's close-range effort was blocked by the legs of Almunia after he had sprung the offside trap, before Djourou cleared Robinson's follow-up shot from in front of his own net.

Arsenal could then have made it 2-0 moments later when Adebayor got clear into the left side of the area once more - and this time bent a low, curling effort just wide of the far post with the keeper beaten.

After the Gunners had dominated the opening half, this was now a much more evenly contested match-up. The Baggies continued to press and Arsenal sensed they needed the cushion of another goal.

Substitute Robin van Persie's far-post header from a cross by Adebayor was straight at Carson. The Dutch forward almost netted an acrobatic strike when he turned in the six-yard box to poke a left-foot effort just wide, but in the end 1-0 to the Arsenal proved enough for victory.

Bolton Wanderers 3 Stoke City 1

Record Bolton Wanderers signing Johan Elmander marked his debut by finding the target as Stoke City got an indication of how tough life will be in the Barclays Premier League.

After 23 years of waiting to return to the top flight this was a wake-up call for manager Tony Pulis and his players.

Bolton, after all, just escaped the drop last season thanks to a five-match unbeaten run when it mattered most.

However they looked a class apart after a sluggish start with Gretar Steinnson and Kevin Davies joining Elmander on the scoresheet.

Stoke made a bright opening only to fall apart in an 11-minute spell before half-time and their only consolation was a header from substitute Ricardo Fuller in stoppage time.

Dave Kitson, a £5.5million summer signing from Reading, twice came close with headers and Leon Cort saw his close-range effort blocked by goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen.

In between Elmander's effort went narrowly over the bar after a good first touch following a flick-on from Davies.

Bolton gave an indication of what was to come in the 32nd minute when Davies headed marginally wide following a cross from Taylor.

They took the lead two minutes later with Iceland international Steinsson's first goal for the club.

It was a stunning strike as well - the ball delivered from an acute angle just outside the area.

Former AZ Alkmaar full-back Steinsson wheeled away in celebration after his effort whistled past goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen via the post.

Stoke looked stunned and little wonder as they had dominated possession up until this point.

Bolton were growing in confidence and looking to kick on after losing their first match at home last season against Newcastle United.

They extended their lead in the 43rd minute when Davies with his back to goal sent a looping header over Sorensen after Gary Cahill had launched the ball forward.

Bolton made it 3-0 in stoppage time thanks to Elmander, who arrived in the summer from Toulouse for a fee reported to be £11million.

Stoke again failed to deal with a set piece with the Sweden international heading home a free-kick from Joey O'Brien.

Elmander almost got a second goal after 49 minutes when he latched on to a ball from Fabrice Muamba, only to see his effort go wide of the post.

Then skipper Kevin Nolan tried to slip the ball through to Elmander but Sorensen read the situation well and made the clearance.

With a three-goal cushion Bolton were looking assured in this their eighth season in the top flight.

Backed by a crowd of 22,717 they were playing some good football and Stoke were finding it tough going.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis made his first change in the 66th minute when he brought on Liam Lawrence for Glenn Whelan in the hope he could turn things around.

Davies was putting in his usual shift for Bolton. Not content with getting forward, he also thought nothing of helping out his defence when needed.

There was a slight scare for the home side when Andy O'Brien's back-pass was short. However Jaaskelainen was quickly off his line and nicked the ball off Kitson's toes as he prepared to take advantage.

Stoke were continuing to work hard but found it hard to peg back Bolton's advantage.

The home side re-grouped and almost extended their lead in the 75th minute only for Ryan Shawcross to clear Nolan's effort off the line.

Then five minutes later Sorensen did well to push away a header from Taylor at the post before Fuller pulled a goal back for Stoke in stoppage time with a header.

Everton 2 Blackburn Rovers 3

Sir Alex Ferguson was in the Goodison Park directors' box to see Blackburn Rovers' Paul Ince make it a winning start to his Barclays Premier League managerial career.

Ferguson no doubt taught Ince a few things about true grit when he played under the Scot at Old Trafford - and the protege seems to have implanted that spirit into his Blackburn side.

Rovers won with a goal from defender Andre Ooijer four minutes into injury time. They had led through David Dunn, before Mikel Arteta equalised for Everton with a fine free-kick in first-half injury-time.

When Ayegbeni Yakubu put Everton ahead, it looked as if the hosts were going to grab the points. But Roque Santa Cruz and then Dutchman Ooijer had different ideas.

Rovers who had three good early chances. Morten Gamst Pedersen surged through the middle to force Tim Howard into a finger-tip save.

Then two excellent crosses from Reid were both met by Santa Cruz and headed just wide. Everton's response was a 25-yarder from Jack Rodwell that was held low by Robinson.

Dunn, from 35 yards, almost embarrassed out-of-position Howard. Dunn, cutting in from the left, forced Howard into a smart save. But the next time Dunn was in a shooting position, he bagged an excellent goal on 22 minutes.

Pedersen and Santa Cruz were involved in the build-up, but Dunn did much of the hard work himself by sending Phil Jagielka skidding away on his backside - having shifted the ball from right to left foot before firing wide of Howard.

Dunn's excellent goal gave Rovers the lift they needed, and they were finding too much room in the centre of midfield. Rodwell was doing his best, but the makeshift partnership with Jagielka was a worry.

Moyes attempted to solve the problem by moving Baines to left-back and shifting Nuno Valente into midfield. But there was pace about Blackburn's play.

But two minutes into first-half injury-time, Arteta was on the scoresheet with a curling free-kick - for a harsh hand-ball against Reid - that left Robinson standing.

Everton could have been ahead two minutes into the second period. Rodwell put Baines away on the left - and when the cross flashed in front of goal both Yakubu and Leon Osman failed by inches to connect with the cross.

Jason Roberts' fine run into the box past three defenders was finally halted by a combination of Howard and Joleon Lescott - when it looked as if the Rovers man would score. Jagielka then saw a header from Arteta's corner flash just wide.

After 64 minutes, Everton surged into the lead. Yakubu's neat ball out to the left sent Arteta racing away - and when the far-post cross arrived, Yakubu was towering above everyone to head home.

The lead lasted two minutes. Warnock's angled ball in from the left saw Santa Cruz get goal side of Lescott to ease the ball past Howard.

Roberts forced a fine save from Howard, with Lescott's block stopping Roberts' second attempt.

With 11 minutes left, Everton sent on Jose Baxter for his debut in place of Valente - making him the Toffees' youngest ever senior player at 16 years and 196 days old.

In the last minute of normal time, Baxter out-jumped Robinson at the far post to head over from a Phil Neville cross.

But Blackburn stole the points in the 94th minute when Warnock's free-kick was headed against the post by Ryan Nelsen, with Ooijer tapping home the rebound.

Sunderland 0 Liverpool 1

Fernando Torres fired Liverpool to victory over Sunderland in their Barclays Premier League opener at the Stadium of Light.

The striker produced a vicious drive eight minutes from time to claim the points. It was a bitter pill to swallow for a Sunderland side who had enjoyed the best of the play and all but negated the return of the Reds' fit-again captain Steven Gerrard.

The Black Cats immediately went on the attack, debutant El-Hadji Diouf powering straight into the Liverpool half before losing the ball at speed.

New boy Steed Malbranque was also eager to make an impression, nimbly turning Yossi Benayoun but chipping his through-ball just too long.

With just five minutes gone Diouf's pace had worried his former side twice, first drawing a last-ditch tackle from Jamie Carragher and then forcing Jose Reina into a clearance.

Liverpool attempted to force their way back into the match, Gerrard drifting out wide as he twice tried and failed to play in Robbie Keane from the right.

Diouf, enjoying quite a start to a Black Cats career, proved more incisive after 13 minutes, crossing the ball for Daryl Murphy but the Irishman headed straight at Reina.

Gerrard then prevented another attempt on goal when he stole in to dispossess the Kieran Richardson in the box.

Sunderland briefly lost their composure after 25 minutes when the unlikely figure of Sami Hyypia caused a mix-up between goalkeeper Craig Gordon and his defence although Liverpool's attackers were unable to take advantage.

Referee Alan Wiley decided not to award a penalty after a heavy collision involving Benayoun, instead blowing for a foul on Gerrard moments before. The resulting free-kick was in a promising position, but a telegraphed routine from Keane and Gerrard ensured nothing would come of it.

Keane made a better fist of a half-chance three minutes before the interval but screwed his shot wide after skilfully setting himself up.

After 54 minutes, former Bolton Wanderers man Diouf spurned a fine chance.

Murphy, making amends for his earlier miss, laid the ball tantalisingly across goal only for Diouf to scuff his shot to a grateful Reina.

Alonso gradually started to rouse the Reds, elegantly starting a move which ended with one of their better chances - a Gerrard shot cannoning off Danny Collins on the six-yard line.

With 20 minutes to go, Benayoun won a free-kick a yard from the edge of the penalty box - but again Gerrard's delivery was tame.

An Alonso special from within his own half almost settled the match in spectacular fashion, but the midfielder was just wide with his strike - much to Gordon's relief.

It was Alonso's touch too that freed his compatriot after 82 minutes - but the finish, swerving at pace, was all Torres.

Welcome to My Premier League Blog

Hey everyone,

I've started this blog on the EPL cause I am a huge,huge Manchester United fan and more importantly, a football fanatic. So through this blog I hope to keep you updated with all the news and stories related to the ongoing Barclays Premier League along with some of my useful and not-so-useful insights. Its time for KICKOFF now.