Barclays Premier League roundup

Barclays Premier League round-up

Aston Villa 1-3 Everton

Everton continued their impressive start to the new campaign with a superb 3-1 victory over Aston Villa.

Everton were well on their way when midfielder Steven Pienaa, scored from 20 yards, and Marouane Fellaini converting after centre-back, Phil Jagielka, had centred the ball.

Nikica Jelavic then rounded off an impressive first half for the Toffees after good work from Leighton Baines.

Villa, who had defender Ciaran Clark sent off near the hour mark, managed to grab a goal after a strong finish when new signing, Karim El Ahmadi curled the ball past Tim Howard.

Manchester United 3-2 Fulham

Robin van Persie marked his Manchester United full debut with a goal inside 10 minutes in a hard fought win over Fulham.

The Dutchman equalised after Damien Duff had given the visitors the lead, before another United new boy, winger Shinji Kagawa had put the Red Devils in front.

Rafael added a third for the home side before a Nemanja Vidic own goal just past the hour mark set up a close finally.

Norwich 1-1 Queens Park Rangers

Both Norwich and QPR managed to bounce back from their heavy opening day defeats with a point apiece at Carrow Road.

The Canaries went in front in the 11^th minute through Simeon Jackson. The striker heading home after some neat build up play.

However the lead lasted just eight minutes when Ranger attacker, Bobby Zamora scored after Djibril Cisse saw his spot-kick saved by City goalkeeper John Ruddy.

Neither side could muster up a winner, however Russell Martin did hit the crossbar late on for the hone side, but it ended with both teams taking a share of the spoils.

Southampton 0-2 Wigan

Wigan stunned St Mary’s with a 2-0 victory over Southampton in what was their first home game back in the Premier League for seven years.

Just six minutes after a goalless first half, striker Franco Di Santo raced onto a Shaun Maloney through ball, and rifled a shot high into Kelvin Davis’ goal.

The points were secured late on, when striker, Arouna Kone, sealed the game after the Ivorian robbed a hesitant Jose Fonte near the halfway line to slot the ball home for Wigan’s second.

Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 West Bromwich Albion

Andre Villas-Boas’ first home league game in charge of Tottenham ended in disappointment as he saw his side concede late on to draw with visitors West Brom.

Spurs took the lead with only 16 minutes to go when left back, Benoit Assou-Ekotto, unleashed from 25 yards. The defender’s effort deflecting off Baggies’ midfielder, Graham Dorrans to beat Ben Foster.

However Steve Clarke’s men showed courage and determination battling back and restoring parity through James Morrison. The 26-year-old finishing from 10 yards ending a frustrating day for the North London side.

Chelsea 2-0 Newcastle United

Eden Hazard continued his amazing start to Premier League life scoring one and aiding Chelsea to the third win in as many games seeing them return to the top of the league once again.

The Belgian converted a penalty midway through the first half after Fernando Torres was fouled inside the box by Vurnon Anita.

Torres then found himself on the scoresheet just before the break, firing home from 18 yards, to justify his own man-of-the-match display.

The Blues have now won all three league games they have played so far and should now be regarded as serious title challengers.

Stoke City 0-0 Arsenal

Arsenal once again drew a blank with the Arsene Wenger’s men failing to find the net again, this time with a 0-0 draw against a hard working Stoke.

Once again Santi Cazorla proved to be the Gunners’ bright spark, but neither he, nor fellow new signings, Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski could find the goal they so desperately craved.

Jon Walters went close for the home side late on, however Giroud thought he may have won it late on for the visitors but his effort just went over Asmir Begovic’s crossbar.

Liverpool 2-2 Manchester City

Only a Martin Skrtel late error gave Manchester City a share of the points in a thrilling 2-2 draw at Anfield.

Liverpool took a first half lead when Skrtel powerfully headed home before a defensive mix-up gave Yaya Toure the chance to equalise on 63 minutes; the midfielder duly obliging.

Luis Suarez then gave the Reds the lead once again with a neat free kick, which looked to be enough for Brendan Rodgers and his team, before Skrtel’s disastrous back pass ran straight into the path of predator Carlos Tevez, who converted the opportunity with just 10 minutes to go.

Derek Baker, football correspondent