Liverpool increase Arsenal’s misery as QPR claim first victory of the season

Newcastle United claimed their first three points of the season with a 1-0 victory at neighbours Sunderland.

There wasn’t too much in the game but the Geordies clinched victory with a superb 62nd minute free-kick from full-back Ryan Taylor.

Sunderland’s day got even worse in the 89th minute as defender Phil Bardsley was dismissed for a second bookable offence.

In the other early kick-off Arsenal’s week just got worse as visitors Liverpool claimed a 2-0 victory at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal were deeply under strength and Liverpool took advantage. Young midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong, making his full first team debut was sent-off for a second bookable offence in the 70th minute.

Liverpool then took control of the game. However the Reds were handed a huge slice of luck for the opening goal. Another debutant young Spaniard Iqnasi Miquel, attempted to clear the ball in his own box only for it to hit Aaron Ramsey on the chest and loop over Wojciech Szczesny’s head.

Liverpool completed the victory in the dying minutes as two substitutes Raul Meireles and Luis Suarez combined, with the Portuguese midfielder laying it on for a tap-in for the Uruguayan striker.

Aston Villa claimed their first three points of the season with a 3-1 victory over Blackburn at Villa Park. The home side took the lead in the 12th minute through a superb effort from Gabriel Agbonlahor, which ended up in the top right hand corner.

Villa doubled their lead on 25th minutes as striker Emile Heskey’s tame low effort beat Paul Robinson in the Rovers goal. The visitors were back in the game after Morten Gamst Pedersen headed home from a cross by Junior Hoilett in the 52nd minute.

Villa confirmed maximum points in the 67th minute. England striker Darren Bent fired past Paul Robinson after young defender Grant Hanley failed to deal with a Martin Petrov through pass.

Everton suffered yet another opening day nightmare as newcomers QPR came to Goodison Park and won 1-0. In truth the Toffee’s dominated for long periods of the game but looked toothless in attack. QPR were quiet in the first half but took the lead in the 31st minute.

Akos Buzsaky showed some good feet to take on two Everton defenders before laying the ball off to Tommy Smith who showed great composure to curl it past Tim Howard in the Everton goal just inside the Everton area.

Everton’s best efforts came from Leighton Baines, who hit the cross bar with a free-kick and Tim Cahill heading wide when it looked like he couldn’t miss. Overall it was a very disappointing start for the home side but it was a very good away win for the Hoops.

Swansea and Wigan drew 0-0 at the Liberty Stadium. The game was a tightly contested affair and neither side could find a breakthrough. Both sides will probably have taken the draw before the game but Wigan had the better chances to take maximum points.

Chelsea cameback from one goal down at home to West Brom to win 2-1 at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea were lacklustre in the first half and the visitors took the lead after just four minutes. Irish striker Shane Long got the better of Brazilian defender Alex and then slotted home past reserve Chelsea keeper Hilario.

Chelsea came out like a different side in the second half and got their reward in the 53rd minute. French striker Nicolas Anelka fired home an effort from a tight angle, the shot taking a slight deflection off Jonas Olsson on the way in. West Brom put up a brave fight but conceded a second goal in the 83rd minute.

Portuguese full-back Jose Bosingwa broke through down the Chelsea right past two West Brom players before producing a cross which was fired home by Florent Malouda at the far post. The result was harsh on the away side, who have now lost to the two title favourites by narrow margins.