Liverpool and Gunners misfire

LONDON: Stuttering Arsenal and Liverpool both came back from a goal down to salvage 1-1 draws as the English Premiership returned with a bang on Saturday.   

The two title hopefuls had the chance to send a warning message to champions Chelsea, who start their campaign Sunday, but the Blues would have seen nothing to suggest they can't make it three titles in a row this season.   

In their first Premiership match at their new Emirates Stadium, Arsenal drew with Aston Villa, while Liverpool had to rely on a highly dubious penalty to rescue a point at newly-promoted Sheffield United.   

Elsewhere, Championship winners Reading pulled off a magnificent comeback to beat Middlesbrough 3-2, Newcastle defeated Wigan 2-1, Tottenham lost 2-0 at Bolton and Portsmouth beat Blackburn 3-0 at home to go top of the first Premiership table.   

Villa's Sweden defender Olof Mellberg headed the first Premiership goal at the Emirates Stadium to stun the hosts.   

The Midlanders had a chaotic pre-season, dominated by takeover bids and manager David O'Leary's departure under a cloud.   

But new boss Martin O'Neill seems to have steadied the ship and Arsenal needed a desperate fightback to rescue a point.   

Mellberg powerfully converted a free kick in the 53rd minute.    Teenage Gunners starlet Theo Walcott, controversially included in England's World Cup squad, made his first Arsenal appearance.   

And the substitute striker set up Brazil midfielder Gilberto's equaliser in the 84th minute at the far post.   

"I'm not pleased but at least we didn't start with a defeat," Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger said.   

"It was a typical beginning of the season game where the players were not completely ready physically, added to the fact that many of them played 90 minutes in midweek."   

O'Neill said his team had been "terrific" but added that they were not going to become "a really decent team" overnight.   

"If we had been hammered it would have looked like a long hard season ahead. Win and you think it's great. Get a draw and you don't quite know where you are," he said.   

Liverpool were only saved from an embarrassing defeat at Bramall Lane by a curious penalty decision.   

Slack marking left Rob Hulse unmarked to head a shock goal for the hosts -- the first in the Premiership this season.  But when Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard stumbled in the box, referee Rob Styles awarded a penalty and Robbie Fowler scored with ease from the spot.   

Outspoken Blades boss Neil Warnock said: "Liverpool know they are fortunate because 95 percent people associated with the game would not have given a penalty.   

"Overall it was a magnificent day. I certainly don't think Liverpool will have a tougher game than that."   

In their first match in the top flight, Reading pulled off a stunning comeback against last season's beaten UEFA Cup finalists Middlesbrough at the Madejski Stadium.   

Stewart Downing put the visitors ahead after 11 minutes and Yakubu scored from a loose ball 10 minutes later.   

But Reading fought back with Dave Kitson scoring two minutes before the break and Steve Sidwell equalising a minute later.   

Leroy Lita scored a 55th-minute winner to hand Reading an impressive start to Premership life.   

Portsmouth beat visitors Blackburn 3-0 at Fratton Park, with Nigerian international Nwankwo Kanu, who only joined the south coast club on Thursday, scoring twice and missing a last-minute penalty in a fierce clash.   

Bulgaria striker Svetoslav Todorov scored in the 26th minute and Kanu added two more in the 62nd and 84th minutes to give Pompey fans hope that this season may be more than just another exercise in avoiding relegation.   

Blackburn defenders Lucas Neill and Andy Todd were both sent off. 

Tottenham hope to break the big four's grip on the Champions League places but they were beaten 2-0 at Bolton's Reebok Stadium.   

Kevin Davies headed the first in the ninth minute and Spanish midfielder Ivan Campo blasted a second from distance four minutes later. 
 
 Newcastle beat Wigan 2-1 at St James' Park.  Magpies captain Scott Parker scored in the 38th minute but Lee McCulloch equalised for Wigan. Shola Ameobi won the match, knocking in a rebound in the 64th minute.   

Everton beat Watford 2-1 at Goodison Park.    New signing Andy Johnson scored 15 minutes into his debut and Mikel Arteta scored an 82nd-minute penalty.   

Watford, promoted via the Championship play-offs, could only manage a last-minute consolation goal from their new signing Damien Francis. 

 West Ham came back from a goal down to beat Charlton 3-1 at Upton Park.   

Darren Bent scored a penalty in the 15th minute for the Addicks. However, the Hammers' Bobby Zamora scored in the 52nd and 66th minutes before new signing Carlton Cole added a last-minute third.   

Chelsea kick off their attempt at a third straight title at home to Manchester City on Sunday, though Germany captain Michael Ballack, one of their two stellar new recruits alongside Ukraine striker Andriy Shevchenko, is ruled out with a hip injury.    Meanwhile, Manchester United take on Fulham.