• Premier League round-up

Man City see off QPR, Dembele denied dream debut

ESPN staff
September 1, 2012
Yaya Toure opened the scoring for Manchester City © Getty Images
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Premier League champions Manchester City continued to show championship form - picking up points while not finding top gear - as they beat QPR on Saturday despite Roberto Mancini failing to use any of his five deadline day signings.

In the 3pm kick-offs, Robert Snodgrass denied Moussa Dembele an ideal debut as Norwich claimed a 1-1 draw at Tottenham, while Andy Carroll limped off injured in West Ham's 3-0 win against Fulham. Delivery proved the key as West Brom beat Everton 2-0, and there were entertaining 2-2 draws between Swansea and Sunderland, as well as Wigan and Stoke.

Manchester City were reminded of the greatest day in the club's history as QPR returned to the scene of last season's thrilling crescendo to the Premier League season, and the chant of "champions" rang around The Etihad as Mancini's men once again made hard work of their rivals in a 3-1 win. Goals from Yaya Toure, Edin Dzeko and Carlos Tevez lifted City to fourth, with the likes of Maicon and Javi Garcia still to be introduced to the team.

A 16-minute spell of pressure, during which the home side earned several corners, climaxed with an opening goal, scored by Toure after QPR failed to clear at a corner. The ball dropped for the Ivorian, who crashed his drive into the ground before it rose high into the Rangers net.

QPR new boy Esteban Granero was given little chance to exert his class in the first half as City controlled proceedings, Pablo Zabaleta striking the bar with a glorious curling effort early in the second period. However, out of nowhere QPR then found an equaliser, Bobby Zamora heading into an open net after Andrew Johnson's stinging drive had forced a top drawer save from Joe Hart.

Parity lasted all of two minutes, though, as Dzeko waltzed onto a Tevez cross to head home for 2-1, and scorer then became provider as Dzeko's tame shot was redirected into the net by Tevez.

For a while it looked like new signing Dembele had got his career in north London off to the perfect start as he broke the deadlock midway through the second half against Norwich, but in the end 10-man Tottenham had to hang on somewhat as they were restricted to a 1-1 draw.

Moussa Dembele did not have the perfect debut © PA Photos
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Devoid of real inspiration in the first half, especially in and around the box, Spurs perhaps had Brad Friedel to thank for ensuring they did not go into half-time behind. Boss Andre Villas-Boas decided to introduce recent acquisition Dembele for the second 45 in the hope of sparking more creativity - and the move eventually paid off, the Belgium international showing great poise and technique to turn in a confined space on the edge of the box and fire a drive beyond John Ruddy.

Norwich had enjoyed their share of the play all game, however, and were not about to go away quietly. With ten minutes remaining they restored parity; Snodgrass showing a similarly high level of composure and perfect technique to strike a controlled half-volley past Friedel and ensure Chris Hughton - who spent 28 years at Spurs in a variety of capacities - a share of the points.

It could even have been all of the points for Norwich, especially after Tom Huddlestone was sent off late on in what initially appeared to be a harsh decision from the referee, but Friedel was again at his best to keep out Bradley Johnson at the death, perhaps sending a warning to new signing Hugo Lloris that he will not give his place up easily.

West Brom ended Everton's encouraging start to the new season with a 2-0 victory at The Hawthorns, as Shane Long and Gareth McAuley capitalised on their side's better delivery to ensure Steve Clarke picked up another welcome victory.

It took until the second half for the Baggies to break the deadlock, and the introduction of substitute Peter Odemwingie proved the catalyst. The Nigeria international sent a wicked cross into the box - the best bit of service in the match - and Long showed his gratitude as he planted the ball beyond Tim Howard.

Everton, who were generally lacklustre after a solid start to the season, looked livelier after the introduction of their own livewire, Kevin Mirallas, but ultimately paid the price for their wastefulness in front of goal. Just minutes before Long fired the decisive goal of the game, Marouane Fellaini had been guilty of flashing over a similarly gilt-edged chance after a fine ball had been played into him, an error that was to haunt his side.

The Baggies drove home their advantage with just over ten minutes remaining, this time from a corner. Chris Brunt swung in an inviting ball from the right, and lofty centre-back McAuley rose highest to secure all three points.

Andy Carroll was on form © PA Photos
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In the day's early kick-off, West Ham grabbed their second Premier League win of the season with a 3-0 demolition of Fulham, as new signing Andy Carroll made a significant impact.

The Hammers needed less than a minute to grab the lead; Kevin Nolan volleying home from eight yards after Carroll's powerful flick-on had released Ricardo Vaz Te into the box to provide the assist.

Winston Reid then headed home from a corner shortly afterwards to make it 2-0, before Matthew Taylor completed the scoring just before half-time with a precise low drive - after Brede Hangeland had failed to clear properly under pressure from Carroll.

Fulham were never really in the contest at Upton Park, with even the second half introduction of their own eye-catching deadline day signing, Dimitar Berbatov, failing to spark any sort of revival.

It was not all good news for West Ham and Carroll, however, as the loanee was forced off midway through the second half with a tight hamstring. However, the club insisted the substitution was only a precautionary measure.

Inspired by new signing Steven Fletcher, Sunderland were nevertheless forced to settle for a 2-2 draw against Swansea.

The £12 million signing from Wolves fired two goals on his debut to give the Black Cats a great chance of victory, but twice saw his efforts cancelled out, firstly by Wayne Routledge - with a rasper from long range - and then from the effervescent Michu, as the home side rallied back at the Liberty Stadium.

In the end Michael Laudrup's side had to settle for a point, especially after defender Chico's sending off left them short at the back for the final phase of the game.

Wigan and Stoke also played out a 2-2 draw, Peter Crouch eventually ensuring a share of the spoils for the visitors at the DW Stadium.

Shaun Maloney had opened the scoring for Roberto Martinez's side from the penalty spot, after Andy Wilkinson's fifth minute blunder had gifted them the opportunity. Jon Walters soon levelled things up by the same method, before Franco di Santo restored the Latics' advantage. But Crouch had the final say as both sides went home relatively content.

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