Tottenham’s Walker scores own goal as United open season with a win
Manchester United's German midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger (centre) goes up for the ball against Tottenham Hotspur defenders Ben Davies (left) and Toby Alderweireld during the opening match of the English Premier League at Old Trafford in
London: Kyle Walker’s own goal gave Manchester United a winning start to the Premier League season as they overcame Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 at Old Trafford on Saturday’s opening day.
The England right-back put through his own net in the 22nd minute, rushing back in an attempt to prevent Wayne Rooney taking aim from Ashley Young’s cross and succeeding only in scuffing the ball into his own net.
United handed competitive debuts to Sergio Romero, Matteo Darmian, Morgan Schneiderlin and Memphis Depay, while Bastian Schweinsteiger came on in the second half to become the club’s first German player.
“The first time you play at Old Trafford is always difficult, but I liked the performance, especially of Darmian,” United manager Louis van Gaal, who was celebrating his 64th birthday, told BT Sport.
On goalkeeper David de Gea, dropped amid interest from Real Madrid, Van Gaal added: “He is our best player for the past two seasons, chosen by the fans, so we can’t let him go so easily.”
Spurs made a bright start in the Salford sunshine, Christian Eriksen volleying over from Harry Kane’s scooped pass, but they retreated into their shells following Walker’s moment of misfortune.
United failed to take full advantage, however, with Young the only player to muster a shot on target, and Eriksen forced Romero — deputising for De Gea — to make two sharp saves in the latter stages.
Chelsea launch their title defence at home to Swansea City later on Saturday. Leicester City found themselves on top of the table after Algerian winger Riyad Mahrez inspired them to a 4-2 home win over Sunderland at the King Power Stadium. After Marc Albrighton teed up Jamie Vardy for an 11th-minute header, Mahrez scored with a header from another Albrighton cross and then added a penalty to put Leicester 3-0 up with only 25 minutes gone.
Jermain Defoe and Steven Fletcher found the net for Sunderland in the second half, but a smart strike by Albrighton kept Leicester in control. Watford fared the best of the three promoted clubs, drawing 2-2 with Everton at Goodison Park.
But they twice squandered the lead, with goals from Miguel Layun and substitute Odion Ighalo cancelled out in turn by Ross Barkley and Arouna Kone. The first top-flight game in Bournemouth’s 116-year history ended in a 1-0 home defeat against Aston Villa, who prevailed courtesy of a 72nd-minute header from their new striker Rudy Gestede.
Yohan Cabaye marked his Crystal Palace debut with a goal as Alan Pardew’s side opened the season with a 3-1 win at promoted Norwich City. Wilfried Zaha and Damien Delaney scored for Palace either side of half-time, but a Nathan Redmond strike had the visitors living on their nerves until France international Cabaye, a 10 million ($15.5 million, 14.1 million euros) acquisition from French champions Paris Saint-Germain, found the net in stoppage time.
Norwich substitute Cameron Jerome had an equaliser ruled out for a high boot, allowing the Eagles to kick off their attempt to improve upon last season's 10th-place finish with victory.
( Source : AFP )
Next Story
