• Premier League round-up

RVP on target as United ride luck; Hazard off the mark

ESPN staff
August 25, 2012
Shinji Kagawa was on target for Manchester United © Getty Images
Enlarge

This season ESPN Goals is completely free. It's the first place to see every goal from every Premier League game, all season long

Robin van Persie struck on his full debut as Manchester United snatched a nervy 3-2 victory over Fulham, while Tottenham Hotspur were denied three points against West Brom by an injury-time equaliser, and Eden Hazard netted for the first time in a Chelsea shirt.

Manchester United notched their first points of the season thanks to a triumph over Fulham at Old Trafford. Cottagers winger Damien Duff silenced the home crowd by scoring inside the first three minutes, only for Van Persie to equalise with a brilliant inventive volley from Patrice Evra's centre, highlighting why Sir Alex Ferguson was willing to fork out £24 million for his services.

And from a Van Persie corner, Tom Cleverley's shot was clumsily spilled by Mark Schwarzer into the path of Shinji Kagawa, who could not miss from a couple of yards. Rafael's header from Ashley Young's cross seemed to have put United out of sight, but a Nemanja Vidic own goal - provoked by a mix-up with goalkeeper David de Gea - with 25 minutes remaining filled Fulham with fresh hope.

United steadied themselves across the final ten minutes, dragging themselves over the line as Fulham's fightback petered out. However, Wayne Rooney was stretchered off with a knee problem during injury time.

A last-gasp leveller from James Morrison denied Andre Villas-Boas a first league win as Tottenham Hotspur manager in the 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion. Spurs dominated the first half without reward, and there were signs that they would be made to pay for their wastefulness in the second period, as West Brom - and Romelu Lukaku in particular - threatened.

However, Benoit Assou-Ekotto lifted a weight from Villas-Boas' shoulders by netting, the defender picking up a half-cleared corner and giving Spurs the goal they deserved. The Baggies had their moments in the closing stages as Spurs wobbled, and finally broke through thanks to Morrison.

Chelsea went top of the league with a 2-0 triumph at home to Newcastle. Hazard netted from the spot after a foul on Fernando Torres, before Torres added the Blues' second with a long-range strike.

Paul Lambert endured a nightmare home league debut as Aston Villa manager, as they fell to a resounding 3-1 defeat to Everton. Steven Pienaar got the ball rolling, hammering a first-time shot into the top corner from 25 yards, before two goals from crosses: the first when Fellaini converted Phil Jagielka's centre, and the second when Nikica Jelavic pounced on Leighton Baines' low delivery.

Marouane Fellaini outjumped Ciaran Clark to score his second in as many league games © Getty Images
Enlarge

Ciaran Clark was sent off for bringing down Jelavic as Villa's misery deepened - but the hosts did manage to get a consolation back with ten men, Karim El Ahmadi rifling in from 30 yards.

Less than a week after giving Manchester City a huge scare, Southampton were brought down to earth by a 2-0 home reverse against Wigan. Striker Franco di Santo broke the deadlock, collecting Shaun Maloney's through ball before smacking the ball into the roof of the net from ten yards. Summer arrival Arouna Kone decisively settled the game in the Latics' favour.

Norwich and QPR, both on the end of heavy defeats last weekend, played out a 1-1 draw at Carrow Road. The QPR defence was ripped to shreds for Norwich's opener, a fine passing move resulting in Anthony Pilkington crossing for Simeon Jackson to nod in. But the Hoops did not crumble, and soon after were level: Bobby Zamora converting a rebound after Djibril Cisse's penalty was saved by John Ruddy.

In the day's early kick-off, Swansea cruised to a 3-0 win over West Ham at the Liberty Stadium. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce was left to rue two early defensive mistakes as Jussi Jaaskelainen diverted Angel Rangel's cross into his own net before Michu latched onto a woeful backpass from James Collins to put the Swans 2-0 up inside half-an-hour.

West Ham had chances to get back into the match and proved a threat on set-pieces - Michel Vorm pulling off a great save to deny Matt Jarvis' half-volley before Carlton Cole's header was cleared off the line.

But Swansea, who have now scored eight goals in their opening two matches, put the scoreline beyond the visitors, Danny Graham sweeping home Wayne Routledge's cross to wrap up a convincing victory for Michael Laudrup's men.

Meanwhile, Sunderland's first home game of the season against Reading was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices