Arsenal sunk by Villa, Mignolet lifts Liverpool as EPL kicks off

LONDON: Arsenal endured a dismal start to the new Premier League season when Christian Benteke struck twice to lift Aston Villa to a shock 3-1 victory at the Emirates where the home side finished with 10 men on Saturday.
A spectacular double from Robin van Persie helped Manchester United begin its title defense with a 4-1 win at Swansea.
David Moyes’ first league match in charge of United couldn’t have gone any better, with Van Persie matching Danny Welbeck’s brace with two brilliant goals of his own to signal his intent on finishing top scorer in England for a third straight season.
Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge scored and new goalkeeper Simon Mignolet saved a late penalty to earn their side a deserved 1-0 win over Stoke City in the early kickoff at Anfield and West Ham United beat promoted Cardiff City 2-0.
Arsenal took an early lead through forward Olivier Giroud but Benteke equalized by scoring from the rebound after having a penalty saved and the powerful Belgium striker fired home another spot-kick just past the hour mark.
Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny was sent off for a second bookable offense before Villa fullback Antonio Luna grabbed a late third as the home fans left the ground muttering darkly about manager Arsene Wenger’s failure to add to his squad.
Chelsea host Hull on Sunday with Jose Mourinho back in charge.
Sturridge put Liverpool ahead against Stoke with a firm 20-meter shot after 37 minutes and the hosts dominated a frenetic match, only to be denied a second by a brilliant goalkeeping display from Stoke’s Asmir Begovic.
The visitors threatened occasionally on the break and were awarded a penalty when Liverpool defender Daniel Agger needlessly handled a long Charlie Adam free kick.
But Mignolet, who had endured a nervous debut, palmed away a weak effort from the spot by Jonathan Walters a minute from time to spark wild celebrations around the ground.
Joe Cole scored an early goal for West Ham and fellow midfielder Kevin Nolan added a late second to give Welsh side Cardiff a losing start in the top flight.
Norwich City and Everton drew 2-2 in an entertaining match at Carrow Road where, after a goalless first half, defender Steven Whittaker put the hom side ahead before the visitors equalized with a superb shot by 19-year-old midfielder Ross Barkley.
Defender Seamus Coleman put Everton in front but Norwich striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel, the club’s record signing, earned his team a point with a neat header on his debut 19 minutes from time.
Southampton striker Rickie Lambert, who scored a late winner for England against Scotland on Wednesday, converted a last-minute penalty to seal a 1-0 win at West Bromwich Albion.
Fulham won 1-0 at Sunderland thanks to a 52nd-minute header by midfielder Pajtim Kasami, his first goal for the club.