My Naija News - Arsenal, Hull, Bolton Win on Premier League Opening

You are here:Home

Arsenal, Hull, Bolton Win on Premier League Opening

Written by Adeleke Afolayan

Saturday, 16 August 2008

Samir Nasri scored the first Premier League goal of the 2008/09 season on his competitive debut for Arsenal as the Gunners beat returnees West Brom 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium.

Bolton Wanderers also had a debutante, Johan Elmander seal a 3-1 victory at home to another newly promoted Stoke City, a match Nigeria's Seyi Olofinjana earned a yellow card on his debut for Stoke.

However, Hull City made sure one new entrant to the Premier League started on a bright note with a comeback 2-1 win over Fulham with Caleb Folan sealing a dream Premier League debut for Austin Okocha's former club.

The drama of the first day however came from Goodison Park where Everton came from a David Dunn goal down to take a 2-1 lead against Blackburn Rovers with goals from a Mikel Arteta free kick and Nigeria's Yakubu Aiyegbeni with a header off Arteta's cross.

Roque Santa cruz however restored parity two minutes after Yakubu's goal before Andre Ooijer grabbed a stoppage time winner for Rovers and start Paul Ince's campaign as a Premier League manager on a winning note.

In other games, Dean Ashton scored a brace in the opening 10 minutes as West Ham United beat Julius Aghahowa's former club, Wigan Athletic 2-1 with Wigan's goal coming through Amr Zaki, on loan from Zamalek.

At the Riverside stadium, Tottenham Hotspur began what has been touted a promising campaign on a disappointing note with a 2-1 reverse at Middlesbrough. David Wheather and former Spurs player Mido scored for the home side while Robert Huth gave the North Londoners a consolation with his own goal in stoppage time.

In Saturday's evening kick-off, Liverpool overcame Sunderland's stubborness with a brilliant 81st minute strike from Fernando Torres off a pass from Xabi Alonso; rumoured to be outbound of Anfield.

League champions Manchester United begin its campaign at home to Obafemi Martins' Newcastle United while John Mikel Obi would feature for Chelsea at home to Portsmouth parading Super Eagles captain Nwankwo Kanu and John Utaka.

Sunday's other match will see Aston Villa tackle Manchester City with Nigerian born players; Gabriel Agbonlahor for Villa and Nedum Onouha for City facing off.

Quote this article on your site | Views: 352 | Print | E-mail

Be first to comment this article

Write Comment

Please keep the topic of messages relevant to the subject of the article. Personal verbal attacks will be deleted. Please don't use comments to plug your web site. Such material will be removed. Just ensure to Refresh your browser for a new security code to be displayed prior to clicking on the 'Send' button. Keep in mind that the above process only applies if you simply entered the wrong security code.
Name:
E-mail
Title:
Comment:
Code:*
	I wish to be contacted by email regarding additional comments

Last Updated ( Saturday, 16 August 2008 )

< Prev		Next >

[ Back ]