Sat 17 Aug 2013
Match analysis
Liverpool 1 - 0 Stoke FT
Analysis: Daniel Sturridge scored the only goal of
the game eight minutes before half-time, drilling a low shot into the bottom
right-hand corner of the net.
Liverpool should have won far more comfortably as a
host of chances went begging. Kolo Toure and Jordan Henderson hit the woodwork,
with Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic in man-of-the-match form.
Liverpool dominated, even though Huth hit the
crossbar after Mignolet flapped at Glenn Whelan's right-wing cross.
"An opening day win for Liverpool thanks to
debut goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, but Stoke counterpart Asmir Begovic's
man-of-the-match performance at the other end tells the real story. Liverpool
should have added to Daniel Sturridge's first-half goal as chances came and
went but they were deserved winners."
Match
Statistics
Liverpool Stoke
Shots
26 10
On
target
11 4
Corners
12
6
Fouls
11
11
The full-time whistle was greeted with resounding boos from the home crowd, although the arena was near-empty by that point.
Arsenal's only summer signing to date is the free transfer of 20-year-old French striker Yaya Sanogo from Auxerre, and supporters were repeatedly chanting for their club to spend some money
Analysis:
Olivier Giroud opened the scoring, but Benteke headed an
equaliser after Wojciech Szczesny saved his
penalty.
Benteke controversially put Villa ahead from the spot after a foul by
Laurent Koscielny, who was later shown a second yellow card for a mistimed
challenge. New signing Luna raced clear to seal Arsenal's woe with a low strike.
Match Stats
Arsenal Aston Villa
Shots
16 9
On target
4
4
Corners
4 3
Fouls
15 18
Match Stats
Shots
8 19
On target
2 6
Corners
6 8
Fouls
13 10
Norwich's record signing Ricky van Wolfswinkel's superb
header rescued a point in a thrilling opening-day encounter with Everton.
The Canaries took the lead against the run of play after the break when
Steven Whittaker shot home from a tight angle after his initial strike hit the
post. Ross Barkley capped a superb display to level from long range and Seamus Coleman tapped in to make it 2-1.
But Van Wolfswinkel, who cost £8.5m, nodded in Whittaker's sliced cross.
The Netherlands international striker's towering header into the top corner will have given plenty of encouragement to a City side whose eagerness to improve on last season's 11th-placed finish was clear from their hectic summer transfer dealings.
Having spent around £25m during the close season, manager Chris Hughton could have a difficult time tempering the rising expectations around Carrow Road.
Match Stats
Shots
20
5
On target
3 1
Corners
6 1
Fouls
14 14
Pajtim Kasami scored his first Fulham goal as they beat a
dominant Sunderland on the opening day of the season.
The Black Cats, with five debutants, were the better team throughout but
Kasami headed home from close range for the only goal in the second half. Ondrej Celustka had the hosts' best chance but his 25-yard shot was saved brilliantly by Maarten Stekelenburg.
Ji Dong-Won could have rescued a point for Sunderland in the final minute but he headed Adam Johnson's cross wide.
Despite their win, the day ended on a worrying note for Fulham as £4m summer signing Stekelenburg came off injured and was replaced by David Stockdale.
Stekelenburg picked up a shoulder injury while denying Jozy Altidore, who was Sunderland's most lively debutant.
The United States striker, who moved from AZ Alkmaar this summer, caused Fulham's defence problems throughout. The 23-year-old looks to have bulked out since his teenage loan spell at Hull City, when he scored only one goal in 28 Premier League appearances.
Match Stats
51%
Shots
17 15
On target
6
7
Corners
7
4
Fouls
13 10
David Moyes made a winning Premier League start as
Manchester United manager with the champions cruising to a comfortable opening
day victory at Swansea City.
Moyes has been handed the task of defending United's title following Sir Alex Ferguson's
retirement after 26 years at the end of last season - and this was business
as usual with Robin van Persie the inspiration once more.
Unsettled Wayne Rooney made a 30-minute appearance
as a substitute and was greeted warmly by United's travelling support despite
his unrest at Old Trafford.
Swansea's early good work was undone as Van Persie
and Danny Welbeck struck twice inside two minutes just after the half-hour and
United were never again under serious threat.
Van Persie capped an increasingly impressive United
performance with a magnificent rising strike 18 minutes from time after he was
played in by Rooney before Swansea's record £12m signing Wifried Bony, on as a
half-time substitute, made an impact with a late goal but it was not enough to
disrupt United's path to victory.
Indeed there was still time for United to add a
fourth in injury time as Welbeck showed great imagination and technique to lift
a brilliant chip over Swansea keeper Michel Vorm.
It represented the perfect start for Moyes, who has
publicly complained about United's tough opening hand of fixtures. Here, in
driving rain and wind, they made light of this task at The Liberty Stadium
despite some anxious moments.
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