Sunderland were off to a flying start to their Premiership new season as Roy Keane's team snatched a last-gasp winner to beat Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 in the competition's opening game on Saturday. Substitute Michael Chopra found the net with almost the last kick of the game, firing home from 12 yards in the 93rd minute to bag the points for the Black Cats. Spurs unsettled Egyptian duo Hossam Ghaly and Ahmed Hossam 'Mido' were not included in Martin Jol's squad for the game, as the latter looks certain to leave the London club. The match was not more than a boring contest as both sides seemed to be satisfied with a point before former Newcastle striker Chopra sealed the game for the home side.
Allardyce beats Bolton Elsewhere, Sam Allardyce returned to the Reebok Stadium in style after his Newcastle side see off his former club Bolton 3-1, with Obafemi Martins scoring twice. Manchester City's Sven Goran Eriksson enjoyed a winning start with his new club as well, beating West Ham 2-0 away. with new signings Rolando Bianchi and Geovanni on target. At Goodison Park, Everton edged Wigan 2-1, as Blackburn Rovers beat Middlesbrough at home with the same score line. Newly-promoted Derby County managed to take a point from their first game after they held Portsmouth 2-2 at Pride Park.
