Liverpool go top as Rovers pay the penalty

The Premier League kicked off today with an all Midlands encounter at Villa Park, as Aston Villa and Wolves drew 0-0.

Villa striker Emile Heskey slide the best chance wide of the post in the first half after a superb cross from Gabriel Agbonlahor.

Both sides enjoyed spells of dominance in the second half but neither could find a winner. Wolves will be more satisfied with the point than the home side, who enjoyed the best of possession.

In the other early kick-off Wigan claimed a 2-0 victory over newly promoted side QPR at the DW Stadium. The visitors were unlucky in this encounter as they struck the woodwork three times. In the first half Moroccan attacker Adel Taarabt struck the woodwork twice and Bruno Perone hit it once in the second half.

However Argentinian Franco Di Santo gave the Latic’s the lead in the 41st minute. The striker flicking the ball up from Hugo Rodallega’s cross and superbly volleying home from the edge of the area. The striker doubled his sides lead in the 66th minute, as he swiveled and fired past Paddy Kenny in the QPR goal. The brace doubled the strikers goal tally for the Latic’s.

QPR will feel that they should have claimed something from this game and Wigan will be relieved to have picked up their first victory of the season.

Everton somehow won 1-0 at Blackburn after a dramatic afternoon at Ewood Park. Blackburn enjoyed the best of possession in the first half and David Dunn struck the post, before going off injured. Rovers also lost Morten Gamst Pedersen through injury.

Blackburn won a penalty just seconds into the second half, as substitute Mauro Formica was brought down by youngster Ross Barkley. Striker Junior Hoilett stepped up and saw his spot-kick saved by Everton keeper Tim Howard.

Another substitute David Goodwillie was unlucky as he struck the bar after the ball broke to the Scot in the penalty area. In the 83rd minute Rovers were awarded a second penalty after Formica went down again, this time under a challenge from Phil Jagielka.

The Argentinian picked himself up off the turf to fire his low penalty into the base of the post. At this point Rovers fans must have realised it wouldn’t be their day. Everton were awarded a penalty in injury-time as Steven N’Zonzi and Christopher Samba sandwiched Marouane Fellaini in the penalty area.

Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta stepped up and kept his nerve calmly slotting home from the spot. Blackburn fans will feel robbed by this result but you get punished in the Premier League if you don’t take your chances and Rovers didn’t.

Chelsea defeated Norwich 3-1 at Stamford Bridge. The Blues took the lead in 6th minute as full-back Jose Bosingwa smashed home a superb effort from 25 yards. Norwich striker Grant Holt equalised for the Canaries in the 63rd minute after a mix up in the Chelsea backline.

Chelsea won a penalty with 10 minutes remaining as Norwich keeper John Ruddy brought down Ramires in the penalty box. The Norwich keeper was dismissed before Frank Lampard fired home the penalty kick.

Chelsea lost striker Didier Drogba to a nasty looking injury and his injury resulted in 12 minutes of injury-time. New signing Juan Mata made it 3-1 with a well-taken goal in injury-time after coming off the bench. Chelsea will be pleased with the three points but concerned for striker Drogba.

Swansea and Sunderland drew a blank at the Liberty Stadium. It was an entertaining affair with both teams looking for three points but neither could find a breakthrough. The Premier League newcomers have now failed to find the net in their Premier League games so far.

In the late kick-off Liverpool beat Bolton 3-1 at Anfield. Liverpool opened the scoring in the 15th minute as Jordan Henderson superbly curled home his first Reds goal. Liverpool doubled their lead in the 52nd minute as defender Martin Skrtel thundered a header past Jussi Jaaskelainen in the Bolton goal from a Charlie Adam corner.

It got even worse for the visitors just a minute later as midfielder Charlie Adam was allowed to run through the centre of the Bolton defence before firing low past the Bolton keeper.  Bolton got a consolation in injury-time as Ivan Klasnic slotted home after a poor clearance from Jamie Carragher. The three points took Liverpool to the top of the Premier League table.