Premier League action round-up - Week 1 - August 15/16, 2009
The 2009/10 Premier League season kicked off in style as 24 goals were scored on the opening weekend.
Seven of these came at Goodison Park, where Manchester City’s pursual of Joleon Lescott clearly affected the Toffees - who were thumped 6-1 by Arsenal. David Moyes’ side never looked like the one that came fifth last season as the Merseysiders were undone by the visitors’ quick counter-attacking football and accurate set-pieces. Cesc Fabregas grabbed a brace after Denilson and centre-backs Thomas Vermaelen and William Gallas put the Londoners 3-0 up. Eduardo got the sixth before Louis Saha netted a consolation for Everton.
Carlo Ancelotti’s reign at Stamford Bridge got underway with a hard-fought comeback victory over Phil Brown’s stubborn Hull City in the season’s first Premier League clash. The Tigers took a shock lead on 27 minutes courtesy of new signing Steven Hunt only for Didier Drogba to put the Blues level with a stunning free-kick ten minutes later. The Ivorian fortuitously sealed all three points late on with a cross that inadvertently beat Boaz Myhill in injury-time. Two of the three new-boys, Burnley and Wolverhampton Wanderers, have already found out the reality of Premier League life. Burnley were taught a lesson at the Britannia Stadium by an impressive Stoke City. The Potters produced a commanding aerial assault on the visitors that saw Ryan Shawcross head in the first from a set-piece, before Burnley’s Stephen Jordan was left confused by a trademark Rory Delap long throw, resulting in the defender heading into his own net.
Mark Hughes returned to Ewood Park hoping that his £200m plus City side would silence doubters on the very first day. The former Wales boss was a satisfied man as £25m signing Emmanuel Adebayor rifled home the opening goal inside the first three minutes of his debut. Sam Allardyce’s Blackburn dominated the second half but Stephen Ireland calmed City nerves, coolly securing the win in stoppage-time.
Roberto Martinez’s reign at Wigan Athletic started in spectacular fashion as the Latics recorded their first opening day win in the Premier League, beating a lacklustre Aston Villa 2-0 at Villa Park. Hugo Rodallega opened the scoring with a stunning half-volley and Jason Koumas completed the win in the second half. Portsmouth’s off-field distractions have clearly affected the players as Fulham came away from Fratton Park with all three points, a Dempsey effort deflecting off Zamora on 13 minutes decided the outcome.
Newly promoted Wolverhampton Wanderers showed glimpses of being capable of survival, but some poor defensive errors allowed Gianfranco Zola’s West Ham United to ruin Wolves’ day at Molineux. Two timely goals either side of half-time from Mark Noble and Matthew Upson, respectively, downed Mick McCarthy’s energetic side, who could not find a way past Robert Green in the Hammers goal.
There were home wins for Manchester United and Tottenham on Super Sunday as the defending champions started their title defence with a 1-0 win over promoted side Birmingham City - Wayne Rooney scoring the first half winner. Spurs lived up to their pre-season hype as they put in a solid home performance to beat title contenders Liverpool 2-1 at White Hart Lane. Debutant defender Sebastien Bassong scored the winner after Steven Gerrard’s second half penalty cancelled out Benoit Assou Ekotto’s stunning opener.
Full results
Saturday August 15
Aston Villa 0-2 Wigan Athletic
Blackburn Rovers 0-2 Manchester City
Bolton Wanderers 0-1 Sunderland
Chelsea 2-1 Hull City
Everton 1-6 Arsenal
Portsmouth 0-1 Fulham
Stoke City 2-0 Burnley
Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-2 West Ham United
Sunday August 16
Manchester United 1-0 Birmingham City
Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Liverpool
Premier League action round-ups
Week 1 - 15/16 August, 2009
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