Premier start

Reina last minute own-goal gives Arsenal Anfield point

The English Premier league began in London with a goalless draw between Tottenham and Manchester City thanks to a first-class performance by Joe Hart in the City goal, but defending champions Chelsea had no problem finding the net as they struck 6 without reply against West Bromwich Albion with Didier Drogba bagging a hat-trick at the Bridge. Earlier in the day newcomers Blackpool had temporarily gone top with an emphatic 4-0 win at Wigan with Marlon Harewood grabbing a brace for the Tangerines. Aston Villa got on with life without Martin O’Neill with a 3-0 home win against West Ham while Everton lost 1-0 at Blackburn. On Sunday Joe Cole received a straight red for Liverpool who took the lead against Arsenal but were pegged back in stoppage time after the visitors had Laurent Koscienlny sent off on his debut, and on Monday Manchester United eased past Newcastle 3-0 at Old Trafford.

In the UEFA Champions League Young Boys hit Tottenham with 3 goals in the first half-hour in Switzerland, but the Londoners replied with 2 goals to give themselves hope for the return leg at White Hart Lane. In the Europa League a young Aston Villa side drew 1-1 at Rapid Vienna and Manchester City won 1-0 at Timisoara in Romania while Liverpool only managed one goal at home to Turkish side Trabzonspor whose keeper Onur Kivrak saved a Joe Cole penalty.