LONDON: Christian Benteke struck twice to inspire Aston Villa to a shock 3-1 win at Arsenal on a dramatic opening day of the Premier League season on Saturday.
Champions Manchester United beat Swansea 4-1 away in the late game thanks to Robin van Persie (34, 72) and Danny Welbeck (36, 90).
Wilfried Bony (82) pulled one back for the hosts.
Striker Daniel Sturridge scored and new goalkeeper Simon Mignolet saved a late penalty to earn Liverpool a deserved 1-0 win over Stoke City and Norwich City drew 2-2 with Everton.
West Ham United beat promoted Cardiff City 2-0, Fulham won 1-0 at Sunderland and Southampton striker Rickie Lambert converted a late penalty to secure a 1-0 victory at West Bromwich Albion.
Everton were 2-1 up at Norwich City before new signing Ricky van Wolfswinkel rescued a point with a header in the 71st minute.
After a goalless first half, Steven Whittaker opened the scoring for the Canaries in the 51st minute, but the visitors then struck back through Ross Barkley (61st minute) and Seamus Coleman (65th).
Pajtim Kasami was Fulham’s scorer, putting in his first goal for the club.
West Ham enjoyed a pretty comfortable day, with Joe Cole opening the scoring in the 13th minute followed by captain Kevin Nolan in the 76th.
Arsenal took an early lead at the Emirates through forward Olivier Giroud but Benteke equalised from the rebound after having a penalty saved and the powerful striker fired home another spot-kick after 62 minutes.
Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny was sent off before full back Antonio Luna grabbed a late third for Villa.
Sturridge put Liverpool ahead against Stoke with a firm 20-metre shot after 37 minutes and Mignolet plunged to his right to keep out Jonathan Walters’s penalty a minute from time.
Brazilian playmaker Philippe Coutinho pulled the strings for Liverpool and Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic made several fine saves before Sturridge struck after 37 minutes, drilling a low left-foot shot into the corner of the net.
Midfielder Jordan Henderson hit the post in the second half as Liverpool poured forward in search of another goal but Begovic continued to defy the hosts who are bidding to win the league title for the first time since 1990.
Stoke threatened occasionally on the break and they were awarded a penalty when Liverpool defender Daniel Agger needlessly handled a long Charlie Adam free kick.
But Mignolet, who had endured a nervous debut, palmed away a weak effort by Walters to spark wild celebrations around the ground.
Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert praised his “outstanding” players.
“After weathering the early storm we were outstanding, especially on the counter-attack. We were absolutely frightening at times – Gabriel Agbonlahor produced as good a performance as I’ve seen in many a year, he was unplayable.
“We were very strong at the top of the pitch but all round Agbonlahor was frightening with his speed. Brad Guzan also produced two world-class saves. We were well worthy of winning the game.”
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, whose side were booed at the final whistle, when the Emirates Stadium was near-empty said, “We started well but, after that, everything went wrong – injuries, decisions, going down to 10 men and the chances missed. It was a bad day, not on the quality of our display but everything went against us.
“I’m not happy with the (second penalty) decision but I’m more unhappy with the spirit the referee let the game go in, I was quite amazed,” he added.
“But it’s not my job to talk too much about that, I have to take care of the team. What hurts me is to disappoint people who love the club.
“All the rest I have to live with, but I’m here to make people happy and when I do not I can only say sorry and come back and make them happy in the next game,” he said.
“We could have won the game today with the players we had on the pitch, I’m convinced of that.” (AFP)