Reading overturned a two-goal deficit on Saturday and beat Middlesbrough 3-2 in their first-ever English Premiership match on the opening day of the season.
Reading were struggling at home when Stewart Downing and Aiyegbeni Yakubu scored for the visitors in the first 21 minutes. But Dave Kitson and Steve Sidwell scored before half-time and Leroy Lita added the winner in the 55th minute.
Reading manager Steve Coppell said his team’s poor start was the result of having to wait 135 years to get into the top flight. ”It’s a proud moment for the club to have our first game in the top division,” he said. ”After 20 minutes, 2-0 down, we were really anxious and jittery. That was a by-product of the build-up and how this game had been put into such an elevated position, and the players couldn’t really express themselves properly.”
Sheffield United, another promoted club, were denied a victory over Liverpool by a disputed penalty and wound up with a 1-1 draw on their return to the top flight for the first time in 12 years.
After Rob Hulse had given the Blades the lead at Bramall Lane, Robbie Fowler scored an equaliser from the penalty spot after a foul on Steven Gerrard.
”The top referees get paid to make the right decisions, but he made the wrong one there,” said Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock, who had to watch the game from the stands because of a two-game ban from the bench carried over from last season. ”I thought Rob [Styles] had a good game, to be fair, but no way was that a penalty.”
Arsenal needed an equaliser from Gilberto Silva six minutes from the end to capture a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa in the Gunners’ first league game in the 60 000-seat Emirates Stadium.
Sweden defender Olof Mellberg headed Villa in front eight minutes into the second half and the visitors, with former Celtic manager Martin O’Neill in charge, looked set for an upset before Gilberto replied.
”I’m delighted to be back,” said O’Neill, who left Celtic 15 months ago and took a break from soccer to spend more time with his sick wife.
”And what a place to start. I thought the players showed a lot of desire, a lot of heart and a not inconsiderable amount of skill when they had the ball,” O’Neill said of his players. ”I thought we did great.”
Portsmouth, who only just escaped relegation last season, outplayed Blackburn 3-0 with substitute Nwankwo Kanu scoring twice and missing a penalty. Rovers ended up with nine men after Australia international Lucas Neill and defender Andy Todd were sent off.
”I thought we dominated the game from start to finish and played some terrific football today,” said manager Harry Redknapp, whose club is owned by millionaire Russian businessman Alexandre Gaydamak. ”There were a few new players out there making their debuts. Kanu joined us this week, Sol [Campbell] only had a week. I was juggling three strikers around, some who weren’t very fit.”
Everton edged promoted Watford 2-1 with goals by Andy Johnson and Mikel Arteta. A last-minute reply for the Hornets by Damien Francis meant that United States goalkeeper Tim Howard, on loan from Manchester United, was unable to celebrate a shutout on his Toffees debut.
Kevin Davies and Ivan Campo scored in the opening 13 minutes as Bolton began with a 2-0 victory over Tottenham. Campo’s low strike was from 43m and England goalkeeper Paul Robinson made a poor attempt at trying to stop it.
Newcastle began with a 2-1 victory over Wigan with Scott Parker scoring a rare goal for the Magpies, and West Ham came from behind to beat Charlton 3-1.
Darren Bent’s 15th-minute penalty put the Addicks ahead at Upton Park. The visitors had defender Djimi Traore, signed from Liverpool two weeks ago, sent off for his second yellow card and Bobby Zamora scored twice as the Hammers hit back.
Defending champion Chelsea, who are chasing their third straight league title, host Manchester City on Sunday. Manchester United, the runners-up last season, host Fulham, also on Sunday. — Sapa-AP