English Premier League roundup

Liverpool are anxious not to make yet another slow start to the season, but it took an 87th-minute firecracker from captain Steven Gerrard to snatch all three points.

Liverpool took a 31st-minute lead with an own goal by Villa's Danish defender Martin Laursen, but were pegged back by Gareth Barry's 85th-minute penalty after a handball by Jamie Carragher. Cue Gerrard for a stunning 25-metre free kick into the top corner.

Billed as 'Little Sam' versus 'Big Sam', the game went the latter's way as Allardyce's men proved far too sharp for his former club, now led by his old assistant Sammy Lee.

French midfielder Charles N'Zogbia's free kick sailed in after 11 minutes and Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins soon added a second before smashing in another from outside the area in the 27th minute. French striker Nicolas Anelka pulled one back for Bolton on the break, five minutes after the re-start.

Matt Oakley gave promoted Derby a dream start to their Premier League season, firing home after five minutes, but Zimbabwe's Benjani Mwaruwari struck a 27th minute equaliser off a pass from new England [Images] signing David Nugent.

New Nigerian striker John Utaka drove in Portsmouth's second in the 82nd minute but the lead lasted only two minutes before Andy Todd levelled with a close-range header.

Everton were comfortable winners in a northwest derby, scoring in each half at Goodison Park.

Leon Osman's header looped over Wigan keeper Chris Kirkland after 26 minutes and Nigerian forward Victor Anichebe made sure of the points off a pass from England striker Andy Johnson. Antoine Sibierski got Wigan's consolation goal.

Two shrewd substitutions by Blackburn manager Mark Hughes turned the game around after England winger Stewart Downing had given Boro a first-half lead with a free kick.

Rovers received an early payback on Roque Santa Cruz's move from Bayern Munich when the Paraguay striker headed a 63rd minute equaliser and Matt Derbyshire curled home a superb winner from just outside the box with 10 minutes to go.

First game back in the top-flight and Roy Keane's Sunderland were rewarded for a dogged performance when Michael Chopra came off the bench to win it in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

Chopra pounced after nice work and a good cross from Ross Wallace on the right, choosing his spot in the bottom corner before the Spurs defence could get in a challenge.

Sven-Goran Eriksson's new-look City got off to a flying start, with two of the host of signings, Italian striker Rolando Bianchi and Brazilian midfielder Geovanni scoring a goal in each half.

West Ham, without the attacking bite of Carlos Tevez after the Argentine's protracted move to Manchester United, already looked like a team facing another battle in the lower reaches.

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