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Late own goal gives Utd win as Chelsea held to draw

Wayne Rooney got off the mark early © Getty Images

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A late own goal - inspired by some fine work from man-of-the-match Ashley Young - enabled Manchester United to get the defence of their Premier League title off to a winning start against West Brom.

Prior to Young's moment of inspiration Wayne Rooney had seen his first-half opener cancelled out by new Baggies signing Shane Long, but Sir Alex Ferguson's side were ultimately able to claim all three points with a 2-1 win.

Ferguson had opted for a youthful look to his first team selection of the new season, with Tom Cleverley and Anderson picked in the centre of midfield and Danny Welbeck given the opportunity to impress as the side's lead striker.

But it was a familiar face and a summer signing who combined to create the opening goal of the game after just 13 minutes. The lively Young cut in from the left and played the ball into Rooney on the edge of the area, who took two touches to turn and move into the box before firing a left-footed shot across Ben Foster and into the bottom corner.

Rather than kick on, however, United were soon pegged back as West Brom took advantage of a moment of sloppy goalkeeping from another new signing, David de Gea. It was Long who made a quick start in repaying his reported £6 million fee with a fine individual strike to level matters on 36 minutes.

The Ireland international took the ball on the left wing and cut into the box, merging a stepover with a quick jink to his right before firing a low shot under De Gea and into the net.

The Spaniard had to bear the brunt of the blame for what was a poor attempt at stopping a relatively tame effort, although perhaps right-back Chris Smalling could also have been sharper in closing his man down.

The second half was an even affair, with United failing to create great opportunities of note and West Brom looking to capitalise after the champions saw first Nemanja Vidic and then Rio Ferdinand forced off through injury. High balls from set pieces were used to try and further unsettle De Gea - who received particular attention from Long - but protection from referee Stuart Atwell ensured the Spaniard was not exposed again.

As time wore on further there was a noticeable drop in both quality and excitement, as the game appeared to be stumbling towards a draw. That was until Young received the ball again on the left wing with 81 minutes on the clock, however, as the former Aston Villa manager turned his man and dribbled into the box, before unleashing a low cross that deflected off first Gabriel Tamas and then Steven Reid before nestling in the corner of the net.

West Brom tried to respond - even sending goalkeeper Foster up for a late free-kick - but were ultimately unable to find an equaliser as United's makeshift defence held strong.

Fernando Torres was given plenty of close attention as Stoke held firm at the Britannia Stadium © PA Photos

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Chelsea's first Premier League game under Andre Villas-Boas ended in a frustrating 0-0 draw against Stoke as another of Manchester United's anticipated title rivals dropped early points on the opening weekend of the season.

Following draws for Arsenal and Liverpool on Saturday, Chelsea also failed to register their first win as Stoke enjoyed some second-half fortune at the Britannia Stadium. Nicolas Anelka, on as a substitute, saw an effort touched onto the bar while referee Mark Halsey turned down a handful of strong Chelsea penalty shouts.

All eyes were on the team-sheets prior to kick-off to establish how Villas-Boas would deal with his catalogue of top class strikers, and the answer was that Fernando Torres would start - alone, with Didier Drogba and Anelka left on the bench.

Torres looked sharp too, going close to scoring a wonder goal on the stroke of half-time as he turned inside two Stoke defenders, before having the ball taken off his toes by the desperate outstretched leg of Ryan Shawcross.

That was a rare moment of quality from either side in the opening 45 minutes though, with a potential penalty against John Terry for handball the only other talking point. Stoke were full of endeavour, but only one shot on target was registered by either team in a forgettable first half.

That all began to change early in the second period, firstly when Torres inexplicably missed the ball when attempting to fire home from four yards, and then when John Obi Mikel saw a dipping 25-yard volley tipped over by Asmir Begovic.

Torres wanted a penalty for Jonathan Woodgate's part in his miss, but the better claim came moments later when Frank Lampard appeared to be tripped inside the area. Neither were given by ref Halsey.

Stoke lost Matthew Etherington to a serious-looking arm injury just past the hour mark, and things almost got worst for Tony Pulis as Begovic tipped Anelka's effort onto the bar. Salomon Kalou - preferred to Drogba - then wasted a free header and that proved to be the last clear chance Chelsea had to win the match.

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