Liverpool 1 v Sunderland 1
Liverpool Suarez 12'
Sunderland Larsson 56'
Luis Suarez scored a goal and missed a fifth-minute penalty as Liverpool were pegged back to a home draw by Sunderland. The Uruguay striker made amends for his miss by heading in a free kick from Charlie Adam - one of three summer signings in the starting line-up. But Sunderland came back and secured a point thanks to Sebastian Larsson's brilliant equaliser 12 minutes into the second half.
Blackburn Rovers 1 v Wolverhampton Wanderers 2
Blackburn Formica 20'
Wolves Fletcher 22', Ward 47
Stephen Ward's winner got Wolves off to a flying Premier League start just three months after a defeat to the same side almost cost Mick McCarthy's men their top-flight status. Ward lashed home a left-foot shot in the 48th minute after Paul Robinson saved Kevin Doyle's penalty and the ball was only half cleared. Stephen Fletcher had swiftly equalised a debut goal by Mauro Formica in the first half.
Wigan Athletic 1 Norwich City 1
Wigan Watson (pen) 21'
Norwich Hoolahan 45'
Wes Hoolahan's goal just before half-time ensured newly-promoted Norwich claimed a point against Wigan. The home side had gone in front in the 21st minute through Ben Watson's penalty after Ritchie De Laet had fouled Franco Di Santo. But Norwich made it 1-1 at the end of the first half when Ali Al Habsi could not hold on to Steve Morison's delivery and Hoolahan slotted the ball into the net.
Aston Villa 0 Fulham 0
Aston Villa and Fulham fans were given an opening-day reality check as their seasons kicked off with a goalless draw. Both sides lacked the quality to make the breakthrough, with the hosts guilty of squandering good chances through John Arne Riise, Bobby Zamora and Andrew Johnson. That was partly down to an impressive debut for the Villa goalkeeper, Shay Given, who, along with fellow new boy Charles N'Zogbia, was one of few positives in Alex McLeish's first competitive game in charge.
