Premier League round-up:Stephen Ward spared his Republic of Ireland teammate Kevin Doyle's blushes as the defender's winner got Wolves off to a flying Premier League start just three months after 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 Doyle's weak penalty to earn a 2-1 win.
Stephen Fletcher had swiftly equalised a debut goal by Mauro Formica in the first half of a match that was a repeat of their survival showdown on the final day of last season.
Jason Roberts’ persistence paid off after 20 minutes when he squeezed through two defenders and fed Formica who nudged a left-foot shot across Wayne Hennessey and into the net from a tight angle.
But Wolves were level just three minutes later when Matt Jarvis dug out an excellent cross from the right and Fletcher rose in the box to head past Robinson.
Buoyed by their unexpected equaliser, Wolves continued to press and might have gone ahead after 28 minutes when Stephen Hunt blazed just over after some neat play in the box. Rovers regrouped and, led by the bustling Roberts, forced their way back into the game. Formica had a hopeful penalty appeal turned down after falling under a Karl Henry challenge.
It was Wolves who won a penalty within a minute of the restart when Friend deemed Michel Salgado had hauled down Jarvis close to the by-line. Doyle’s penalty was saved by Robinson low to the keeper’s left but the ball was only half-cleared and fell to Ward who lashed home a left-foot shot from just inside the box.
Wes Hoolahan was also on target and the former Shelbourne winger's goal just before half-time ensured newly-promoted Norwichclaimed a point from their Premier League opener against Wiganat the DW Stadium.
The Latics had gone in front in the 21st minute through Ben Watson’s spot-kick after Ritchie De Laet had fouled Franco Di Santo. But the Canaries 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 Villaand Fulhamfans were given an opening-day reality check as Craven Cottage's league season kicked off with a dour 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 new Villa goalkeeper Shay Given who, along with fellow new boy Charles N’Zogbia, was one of few positives in new manager Alex McLeish’s first competitive game in charge.
Europa League participants Fulham also failed to make the most of having played six competitive matches already this season, something which was expected to help them make a fast start in the Premier League.
A sublime second-half strike from Sunderlanddebutant Sebastian Larsson denied a new-look Liverpoolvictory on the opening day of the season at Anfield. Luis Suarez wasted a glorious chance to put the Reds ahead after seven minutes when he blazed over from the penalty spot, but he soon made amends by nodding home Charlie Adam's cross in the 12th minute.
The Reds, who had four new signings in their starting XI, reached half-time 1-0 up after Andy Carroll’s header was disallowed and they were prevented from taking three points eight minutes after the break when Larsson rifled home a sweet volley from Ahmed Elmohamady’s cross.
QPRendured a nightmare return to the top flight as they were hammered 4-0 by Boltonat Loftus Road. Reeling from an early injury to new recruit Kieron Dyer, Neil Warnock's men went behind to a Gary Cahill strike before another debutant, Danny Gabbidon, prodded into his own net to make it 2-0 in the second half.
Ivan Klasnic then made it 3-0 before Fabrice Muamba rounded off a miserable afternoon for the Londoners with a fourth 10 minutes from time.
