The Premier League kicked-off earlier today and there were some very interesting results. Newly promoted QPR suffered a nightmare start to their return to the top flight, as they lost 4-0 at home.
The Trotters took the lead just before half-time through a superb strike from defender Gary Cahill.
That lead was doubled as QPR defender Danny Gabbidon put the ball past his own keeper. And they were three up in the 70th minute as Ivan Klasnic’s deflected shot beat Paddy Kenny.
The home sides misery was completed in the 79th minute as midfielder Fabrice Muamba slotted home from a through ball from Ivan Klasnic.
Wolves enjoyed a good first day of the season with a 2-1 victory at Blackburn’s Ewood Park. Argentinian attacking midfielder Mauro Formica opened the scoring in the 20th minute from a pass from Jason Roberts. The visitors equalised in the 23rd minute through a Steven Fletcher header, from a Matt Jarvis cross.
Wolves won a penalty early in the second half as Michel Salgado brought down Kevin Doyle. The Irishman stepped up to take the penalty but was denied by Rovers keeper Paul Robinson. Wolves weren’t to be denied for long though, as they kept the attack alive and Stephen Ward volleyed home superbly.
Fulham and Aston Villa drew a blank at Craven Cottage. Aston Villa had Shay Given to thank for it staying goalless, as the former-Manchester City keeper pulled off good saves to keep a clean sheet.
Elsewhere Liverpool will be disappointed to have drawn 1-1 with Sunderland at Anfield. Liverpool should have been in the lead after just five minutes. Luis Suarez was brought down by Sunderland full-back Kieran Richardson after rounding Simon Mignolet.
The former-England international was cautioned and Luis Suarez blazed the penalty kick over the bar. Liverpool were however in the lead in the 12th minute as Suarez headed home from a Charlie Adam cross.
The Black Cats were back on level terms in the 57th minute as Sunderland midfielder Sebastian Larsson volleyed home superbly from a Stephane Sessegnon cross. Both sides pushed for a winner but neither could make the breakthrough.
Norwich gained a creditable point at Wigan with a 1-1 draw. The home side took the lead through a Ben Watson penalty in the 21st minute, after Ritchie De Laet had brought down Franco Di Santo in the penalty area.
The visitors were back on level terms before the break with a little help from Wigan keeper Ali Al-Habsi. The Oman keeper spilt a cross and Canaries midfielder Wes Hoolahan pounced to smash home the rebound.
The away side will be more pleased with the point than Wigan. It’s a good solid return to the top flight for the Canaries.
Newcastle and Arsenal drew 0-0 in a bad tempered affair at St James Park. The game was a cagey one and controversy erupted in the 75th minute. A scuffle ensued after Arsenal striker Gervinho went down looking for a penalty.
Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton grabbed the Ivory Coast international by the shirt. Newcastle defender Steven Taylor then tried to separate the pair but somehow Gervinho managed to slap the Magpies midfielder, Barton overreacted and fell to the floor in a heap. Newcastle however failed to take advantage of the one man numerical difference and both teams had to settle for a draw.
