Liverpool fired an early warning to its English Premiership title rivals as it made a gutsy winning start to the new season on Saturday.

 

Liverpool sent a statement of intent to Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal with a 2-1 win at Aston Villa.

 

Meanwhile Sven-Goran Eriksson, branded a flop as England manager, saw his Manchester City side win 2-0 at West Ham in his first Premiership test.

 

Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce took his new side to his old club Bolton Wanderers and returned with a 3-1 win.

 

And newly-promoted Sunderland beat big-spending visitors Tottenham 1-0.

 

Blackburn earned a 2-1 win at Middlesbrough, hosts Derby drew 2-2 with Portsmouth, and Everton beat visitors Wigan 2-1.

 

On Sunday, champions Manchester United hosts Reading, promoted Birmingham visits Chelsea, while Arsenal welcomes Fulham.

 

Liverpool took the lead against Villa through a 31st-minute Martin Laursen own goal.

 

The Villains equalized five minutes from time with a Gareth Barry penalty. However, two minutes later, Reds captain Steven Gerrard lashed in a splendid free kick.

 

Liverpool's next Premiership game is against Chelsea on August 19.

 

"The idea this time is to come out of the blocks quickly and stay in the title race," Gerrard said.

 

"It was a great three points and nice to go into the Chelsea game with three points on the board."

 

At Upton Park, Eriksson got off to a flying start, with new strikers Roland Bianchi and Geovanni scoring in a stylish 2-0 win against the Hammers.

 

"I'm delighted, we played an excellent game," the Swede said, singling out Brazil midfielder Elano.

 

"We sometimes played the same system for England, but for England I never had an Elano. I don't know why it is but Brazilians seem to be born with technical ability in their DNA."

 

Allardyce knows all about Bolton from his seven and a half years in charge at the Reebok and he put it to good use on his return in a 3-1 win.

 

Nigeria hitman Obefami Martins scored twice to show England forward Michael Owen he faces a fight to be the first choice striker.

 

Allardyce looked to bury his war of words with Bolton chairman Phil Gartside.

 

"I am very disappointed with the comments he has made," he said.

 

"But actions speak louder than words. We played them off the park and won the game. That answers everything for me, rather than get into a fight."

 

At the Stadium of Light, Michael Chopra scored the first goal of the new season in Saturday's early match as visiting Tottenham was beaten 1-0 thanks to his goal scored 13 seconds from time.

 

"I keep saying about the spirit they have and that desire not to settle for a draw," Keane told Sky Sports television.

 

"We just knew there was going to be a lot of question marks if we can do it throughout the season. The time to tell will be the end of the season."

 

Blackburn Rovers earned a hard-fought win against 2-1 Middlesbrough at the Riverside.

 

England winger Stewart Downing put Boro ahead before South Africa striker Benni McCarthy was stretchered off having collapsed following a clash of heads. He was later released from hospital.

 

His replacement, Paraguay striker Roque Santa Cruz, equalised and Matt Derbyshire scored a splendid winner.

 

UEFA Cup side Everton, out to improve on last season's sixth-placed finish, beat Wigan 2-1 at Goodison Park.

 

"We did the job and our play merited more goals than we did get," Everton boss David Moyes said.

 

At yesterday's matches, Alexander Hleb ensured Arsenal began life without Thierry Henry in style as his dramatic late goal sealed a 2-1 victory at home to London rivals Fulham .

 

Another London club Chelsea also got off to a winning start as it sealed a thrilling 3-2 win against Birmingham .

 

Jose Mourinho's side have now gone 64 home league matches without defeat, eclipsing Liverpool's previous top-flight record of 63, which Bob Paisley's team set between 1978 and 1980.

 

(China Daily via AFP August 13, 2007)