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Lampard and Mata spare Hilario's blushes

Frank Lampard celebrates scoring from the spot © Getty Images

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Premier League gallery

Frank Lampard and debutant Juan Mata saved goalkeeper Henrique Hilario from embarrassment as Chelsea beat Norwich City in a game that saw Didier Drogba stretchered off with what appeared to be a serious head injury.

The England midfielder smashed his penalty down the middle to retake the lead for the Blues with just eight minutes remaining, after Grant Holt's straightforward strike had cancelled out Jose Bosingwa's beautiful opener. Mata then slide home late on to make Andre Villas-Boas' side feel a bit more comfortable.

After being forced to sweat in their last home game against West Brom, it took the Blues just six minutes to take the lead against the newly-promoted side, with full-back Bosingwa taking advantage of some space outside the box to lash a right-footed shot into the net from around 22 yards out.

The Portuguese's goal came in a passage of play where the hosts totally dominated their opponents, but Paul Lambert's men fought back just as spectators were beginning to anticipate a bloodbath. Holt failed to make any contact when a great ball was played through to him by Wes Hoolahan, before Chris Martin was denied by the onrushing Henrique Hilario after breaking past the Chelsea backline.

Hilario was at fault in the second half, however, as Norwich grabbed what was a deserved equaliser. The goalkeeper inexplicably rushed from his goal to clear a ball that Branislav Ivanovic appeared to have under control, only succeeding in punching it straight to Holt - who remained composed to roll his shot into the unguarded net.

Things soon went from bad to worse for Villas-Boas, as Drogba had to be stretchered off after being knocked out after a mid-air collision with Canaries keeper John Ruddy. The Ivorian was clearly out cold before he returned to earth after being struck by Ruddy's onrushing fists, and subsequently clattered into the ground in an incident that brought an end to his game after a delay in play.

New signings Mata and Romelu Lukaku were both given debuts late in the game, but it was Lampard who notched the game winner, after Ruddy had brought down Ramires as the Brazilian tried to round him. And Mata then added some late gloss to the scoreline, firing beyond sub keeper Declan Rudd to give the home fans something to cheer about on their way home.

In the late game, Liverpool continued their impressive start to the season with a 3-1 win over Bolton.

Kenny Dalglish opted to leave Andy Carroll on the bench, but it mattered not as the Reds produced a sizzling attacking display.

Stewart Downing wasted a decent opening early on and then saw Jussi Jaaskelainen make a stunning reaction save, but from the rebound Jordan Henderson collected the ball before curling home his first goal for the club.

Further chances were squandered before Martin Skrtel powered home a header and Charlie Adam was another player to net his first goal in Liverpool colours as the Reds cruised to three points. Ivan Klasnic netted in injury time for Bolton but it was scant consolation.

Everton stole victory late on against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park, with Mikel Arteta scoring from the penalty spot to secure a 1-0 win in a game that saw Rovers miss two attempts of their own from 12 yards.

Both Junior Hoilett and substitute Mauro Formica had missed spot kick attempts of their own by the time Christopher Samba was harshly penalised for climbing over Marouane Fellaini in the 90th minute. But Arteta showed no nerves with his effort, as he calmly slotted the ball beyond Paul Robinson to snatch all three points.

In what was a combative contest, matters only really sprang into life after Everton's promising youngster Ross Barkley was duped into giving away a penalty as Formica made sure to take a tumble over the 17-year-old's trailing leg. Hoilett stepped up to take the ensuing penalty, but he saw his weak effort comfortably saved by Tim Howard low to his right as Jason Roberts was unable to bundle home the rebound.

Never fear, as Blackburn were given a chance to make amends for that wastefulness - and a David Goodwillie attempt that hit the post - with just under ten minutes remaining. Formica again won it after being taken down by Phil Jagielka - but this time he was the one who missed that opportunity, slamming his effort against the post in a mistake he and his manager would come to rue as Arteta eventually showed them how it was done at the death.

Swansea City gained the second point of their season with a 0-0 draw against Sunderland.

Both sides had plenty of chances at the Liberty Stadium, with Danny Graham and Scott Sinclair both guilty of wasting glorious openings - the latter as he rifled a low drive against the post, with Simon Mignolet left stranded.

Steve Bruce's team also had their opportunities to take all the points, but Asamoah Gyan's touch failed him at a crucial juncture while Craig Gardner somehow managed to nod over from eight yards with almost all the goal to aim at.

Franco di Santo curls one home © PA Photos

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Earlier in the day, Aston Villa were held to a rather drab 0-0 draw with local rivals Wolves.

Villa will perhaps feel they could have won the game, although in truth neither side was at their sparkling best in front of what was a sparsely-attended Villa Park. Emile Heskey caused problems with his power in the first half, while Steven Hunt saw his far-post header palmed away by Shay Given, but the game sparked into life in the second period - with Gabriel Agbonlahor and youngster Chris Herd both seeing decent chances dealt with by Wayne Hennessey.

Wolves moved into the ascendancy late on, but Mick McCarthy's side could not steal a winner as Alex McLeish came away with a share of the points.

There was more entertainment at the DW Stadium, however, as Wigan Athletic defeated QPR 2-0 thanks to a brace from Argentine striker Franco Di Santo.

The former Chelsea forward found the net shortly before half-time, taking the ball from strike partner Hugo Rodallega before curling a right-footed shot past Shaun Derry's despairing block and into the far corner. He matched that effort 20 minutes into the second half, this time receiving the ball from Emmerson Boyce's cross before lashing another right-foot drive that beat Paddy Kenny inside the left-hand post.

QPR manager Neil Warnock will be looking forward to adding new signing Joey Barton to his starting XI, after seeing his side create more chances than their hosts but fail to convert on the way to their second defeat of the new campaign.

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