2016-08-13

Saturday clockwatch: all of the action from around the grounds

Tottenham’s Lamela rescues point against under-strength Everton

Southampton rally against Watford but fail to capitalise on Watson red

Middlesbrough denied win as Shaqiri clinches point for Stoke City

5.18pm BST

None of the Premier League poster boys lived up to the pre-match fanfare surrounding the opening day, so let’s cherish goalscorers Salomón Rondón and Leroy Fer for once instead. In the north-east, Álvaro Negredo had a debut to remember at Middlesbrough while Xherdan Shaqiri reminded us of his supreme pint-sized ability with a fine free-kick.

On this evidence, and this evidence alone, it could prove a long, hard season again for Burnley while Crystal Palace look pretty blunt without one of Christian Benteke, Michy Batshuayi, Saido Berahino or … you get the gist. The story of the day though arguably took place before this blog even breathed, at Hull City, but honourable mentions should go to Erik Lamela’s head and Bristol City’s striker Tammy Abraham, who scored his fourth goal in three matches since joining on loan from Chelsea.

Related: Manchester City v Sunderland: Premier League – live!

Related: Salomón Rondón header earns West Brom dogged victory at Crystal Palace

Related: Middlesbrough denied win as Xherdan Shaqiri clinches point for Stoke City

5.11pm BST

Read Paul MacInnes’ match report from St Mary’s, where Southampton were held to a 1-1 draw against Watford:

Related: Southampton rally against Watford but cannot capitalise on Ben Watson red

5.05pm BST

Read Martin Palmer’s match report from Turf Moor, where Swansea City recorded a late victory on the opening day of the season:

Related: Leroy Fer strikes late as Swansea spoil Burnley’s top-flight return

5.02pm BST

Read Paul Wilson’s on-the-whistle report from Goodison Park, where Erik Lamela’s header, yes header, ensured a point for Spurs:

Related: Tottenham’s Érik Lamela rescues point against understrength Everton

5.01pm BST

A harrowing start to life in the Championship then for Champions League winner Rafael Benítez. Newcastle United lost at home to Huddersfield Town today, eight days after their opening day defeat by Fulham. Jack Payne’s late goal was enough to secure David Wagner’s side their second league victory on the bounce.

4.59pm BST

Dundee 1-2 Rangers

Aberdeen 0-0 Hearts

4.58pm BST

Aston Villa 3-0 Rotherham United

Barnsley 2-0 Derby County

4.55pm BST

Crystal Palace 0-1 West Bromwich Albion

Southampton 1-1 Watford

4.54pm BST

And it’s four goals in three games for Chelsea loanee Tammy Abraham at Bristol City. The England Under-19 international has found his second goal of the game after good work from Jonathan Kodjia to clinch a late, late victory for Lee Johnson’s side at Burton Albion.

4.53pm BST

Leroy Fer’s late goal is enough to ensure opening day defeat for Sean Dyche’s Burnley.

4.51pm BST

Lamela’s header ensures a point for Mauricio Pochettino’s side at Goodison Park on Ronald Koeman’s bow as Everton manager.

4.48pm BST

Lukasz Fabianski makes helluva save from Dean Marney to keep Swansea City in front! Gudmundsson’s shot came to little but Marney’s powerful drive forces the Poland goalkeeper into a marvellous, impromptu save.

4.47pm BST

At the Riverside Stadium, Aitor Karanka is frantically trying to get a striker on to find a Middlesbrough winner. Yes, it’s David Nugent. Elsewhere, it’s raining goals at Villa Park today after Jack Grealish has made it Aston Villa 3-0 Rotherham United and Burton Albion have found an equaliser against Bristol City through Tom Naylor.

4.44pm BST

Charlie Austin is on for Southampton at home to Watford! The last roll of the dice for Claude Puel, while Burnley have thrown on forward Lukas Jutkiewicz in search of an equaliser.

4.42pm BST

A couple of big goals in the Football League! Newcastle are behind at home to Huddersfield with just eight minutes to play, after Jack Payne’s cool finish. Elsewhere, Yeovil have pulled level at Luton through ex-Bolton forward Tom Eaves.

4.40pm BST

A huge goal in what looked like being just another goalless and bland match. But no, the Dutch midfielder Fer, who signed permanently from QPR over the summer, pokes home after Fernando Llorente’s headed effort was parried by Tom Heaton. Jefferson Montero is having one of those days down the left flank. It must feel like the beginning of the 2015-16 season all over again for him.

4.39pm BST

Maarten Stekelenburg has made a big save on his Everton debut. The Tottenham substitute, Vincent Janssen, takes a clever touch before finding some room to get a shot away inside the box but the striker’s hopes of a fairytale debut goal live on.

4.36pm BST

Ben Watson has been sent off for Watford! Shane Long’s pace is causing problems again, and it’s only the first day of the season! The Southampton striker knocks the ball ahead of him, surging towards goal and Watson duly chops him down. That’s his game over.

4.34pm BST

Manchester City: Caballero, Sagna, Stones, Kolarov, Clichy, Fernandinho, Silva, Nolito, De Bruyne, Sterling, Aguero.
Sunderland: Mannone, Love, van Aanholt, Kaboul, Kone, O’Shea, Rodwell, Gooch, Watmore, Borini, Defoe.

Aside from Joe Hart, feels telling that Yaya Toure not even among the subs for Pep Guardiola's first game. Toure fit, just not selected.

4.32pm BST

No, it’s not Bolasie. It’s not even Saido Berahino but the Venezuela striker Salomón Rondón who has headed home what could prove to be the winner. The forward got in front of the Palace defenders to send a glancing header from James McClean’s cross past Wayne Hennessey in the Palace goal.

4.31pm BST

Yannick Bolasie has been substituted on for Crystal Palace, in place of Chung-Yong Lee. Can the winger give Palace fans one lasting memory to cherish, if indeed he is to soon depart for Everton?

4.27pm BST

Xherdan Shaqiri and an Afellay, as the Stoke supporters sing. A fine, curling free-kick from the Swiss midfielder has levelled things up at the Riverside. Game on!

4.26pm BST

In fairness to Claude Puel, the Southampton manager, he had warned Nathan Redmond, who is playing up front alongside Shane Long today, that he might be amongst the goals:

“I can see a player with all these qualities, and all these qualities in front of the goal also, so it’s for me a pity to leave him out wide,” Puel told reporters at his pre-match press conference on Friday.

4.25pm BST

“Third year in a row that Tottenham open their Premier League campaign with a goal by Eric or Erik,” emails Cian. Interesting, and a lovely bit of information as Spurs hunt for a winner against Everton at Goodison Park. 25 minutes left to play.

4.22pm BST

Federico Fernández has missed a sitter for Swansea City! Jack Cork flicks substitute Gylfi Sigurdsson’s cross across goal but the defender’s attempt to send it goalwards ends with him sending the ball harmlessly over from just a couple of yards.

In the Championship, Wigan are three goals to the good against Blackburn Rovers, who conceded four goals against Norwich City last weekend. Brentford 2-0 Ipswich and Preston 0-1 Fulham.

4.19pm BST

Newcastle United are level at home to Huddersfield, albeit in fortunate circumstances. Dwight Gayle had a penalty saved by Liverpool loanee Danny Ward but the striker headed in the rebound, to pull the hosts level. Elsewhere, Charlton Athletic skipper Johnnie Jackson has equalised at home to Northampton Town.

4.17pm BST

The forward scores on his Southampton debut, after capitalising on some dodgy goalkeeping by Gomes in the Watford goal. Redmond thrashes the ball home and Southampton are level.

4.16pm BST

The Argentinian heads home an equaliser at Goodison Park after a fine cross from Kyle Walker.

4.15pm BST

Vincent Janssen has been brought on for Tottenham, in place of Eric Dier away at Everton. The Dutchman was Eredivisie’s top-scorer last season and Mauricio Pochettino could probably do with a debut goal at Goodison Park. Elsewhere, Birmingham are back in front against Garry Monk’s Leeds through Michael Morrison.

4.12pm BST

Some good, forward-thinking goalkeeping from Ben Foster means it’s still Crystal Palace 0-0 West Brom. Jason Puncheon sent Wilfried Zaha through on goal but Foster came out to make himself big, as they say, and the keeper panicked the Palace forward before saving. Elsewhere, Rafa has thrown on Matt Ritchie in place of Rolando Aarons for Newcastle, who are still behind at home to Huddersfield.

4.10pm BST

James Coppinger, 58, has just equalised for Doncaster Rovers against Crawley Town. He’s been around forever, hasn’t he. Elsewhere, Cheltenham Town are behind at Mansfield.

4.06pm BST

Wolves 2-0 Reading! Barnsley 2-0 Derby County! A couple of quick-fire goals early in the second half in the Championship. Joe Mason headed home from another corner for Wolves. That sort of lax defending will infuriate Jaap Stam no doubt.

4.02pm BST

Mike Phelan’s PR worked a treat too, didn’t it?

Related: Hull City not yet up to Premier League standards says caretaker Mike Phelan

Related: Hull’s Robert Snodgrass starts Leicester title defence with shock defeat

4.00pm BST

Not a brilliant 45 minutes for Southampton or Claude Puel. The Frenchman charged down the tunnel after the referee blew the half-time whistle, doubtless readying himself to deliver some good old-fashioned hairdryer treatment. Maybe Eddie Howe, the Bournemouth manager who’s in attendance at St Mary’s can lend a hand? In contrast, Middlesbrough are feeling pretty dandy, mainly thanks to Álvaro Negredo’s debut goal.

It’s not been a brilliant half for Hugo Lloris either, after the France goalkeeper was hauled off after 36 minutes. It’s been a rather painful start to the season for Mauricio Pochettino and Tottenham, who are behind at Everton. Crystal Palace and West Brom is living up to all expectations and it’s also goalless at Turf Moor, where Burnley’s Championship XI are proving their worth against Swansea City.

3.50pm BST

Burnley 0-0 Swansea City

Crystal Palace 0-0 West Brom

3.48pm BST

Newcastle United are behind at home to Huddersfield Town, who have got their just reward for a fine first-half display. Nahki Wells has got the goal for the visitors on the brink of half time, to give Rafa Benítez plenty of food for thought at the break.

3.45pm BST

Tammy Abraham is loving life at Bristol City. The Chelsea loanee has just scored his third goal in three matches away at Burton Albion. Loans are ruddy wonderful when they work out well.

44 - Oh Tammy, Tammy! He can't stop scoring! Perhaps against the run of play but Abraham bundles home from close range. #BURvBRC

3.44pm BST

Southampton are pressing at St Mary’s, predominantly through Dusan Tadic, who is proving just why he was handed a plush new deal on the south coast. Watford still lead with just a couple of minutes to go until half time.

3.43pm BST

Advantage Wolves at Molineux, who lead Reading 1-0. Matt Doherty the goalscorer there. “Totally deserved,” says Ed Aarons who is in the Midlands for this fine newspaper.

Wolves fans shout to Zenga: 'Walter give us a wave!' and he ignores them. Asks bench for translation and sticks his hand in the air...

3.42pm BST

“Hull - Leicester brought the odd roar from the 3-4 expats in the bar,” says Tony, who has emailed from Shanghai. Wowee! “Now watching Everton-Spurs in a packed room whilst a very loud but half decent covers band play everything from Adele to Dire Straits. My occasional shouts of enthusiasm or frustration are largely drowned out.”

3.40pm BST

“Are we witnessing the dis-Leicesterification of Leicester?” tweets Jack, who is unsure what that exactly means himself. Well, are we?

3.38pm BST

Kieran Agard is back amongst the goals. The former Rotherham striker joined MK Dons from Bristol City for a club-record fee on Friday and he’s scored twice on his debut to pull level against Millwall. It’s 2-2 in that one.

3.37pm BST

Tottenham’s goalkeeper Hugo Lloris has been substituted at Goodison Park. And it doesn’t look as though the France international is injured. The Spurs captain was arguably culpable for Ross Barkley’s opener and he’s jogged off to be replaced by Michel Vorm. No Juan Mata touchline anger just yet, though. Interesting.

3.35pm BST

Modou Barrow is a real talent isn’t he? The Gambian is causing havoc for Swansea at Burnley but it remains goalless at Turf Moor. Barrow became the first Gambian to score in the Premier League, after notching at Bournemouth last season. Alan Curtis then spoke of his need to be consistent, but he’s clearly talented.

3.32pm BST

“The Scottish championship is where the action north of the border is at these days,” emails Simon McMahon. “Game of the day is Dumbarton v Dundee United. The Tannadice men are knocking at the door early on but it’s currently goalless. Elsewhere it’s Morton 1 Falkirk 0, Raith 1 St. Mirren 0 and Hibs 1 Dunfermline 0.”

3.28pm BST

Leeds United are level at Elland Road. Hadi Sacko has grabbed an equaliser after Tomasz Kuszczak’s helping hand in the Birmingham City goal. Luke Ayling, signed from Bristol City on Friday, is making his debut in defence. One of Ayling’s former clubs, Yeovil Town, are behind at Luton, courtesy of Stephen O’Donnell’s strike.

3.27pm BST

Claude Puel is pulling his hair out at St Mary’s, with Southampton seemingly yet to wake up for the new season. Capoue put Watford in front after nine minutes, and Odion Ighalo and Troy Deeney are proving a handful.

3.25pm BST

Aston Villa are ahead against Rotherham United! Rudy Gestede has put them in front at Villa Park. Aly Cissokho crossed for the striker who headed home, of course. Can they hold on, though, has to be the question after carelessly throwing away their lead at Luton Town on Wednesday evening.

3.23pm BST

Some interesting Crystal Palace news. “Those rare afficionados of both English football and Ru Paul’s Drag Race will be disappointed Sullay Kaikai didn’t make the bench for Palace,” emails in Pádraig. “His surname is a technical term used when two drag queens hook up.” Meanwhile, in football ... “I know Connor Wickham doesn’t score many goals, but I’m pretty sure he qualifies as a recognised striker,” adds Patrick on email. Indeed.

3.21pm BST

There’s more bad news for Charlton Athletic. This League One lark isn’t proving to be too easy. Russell Slade’s side were beaten by Cheltenham Town in midweek are now behind at home to Northampton Town, thanks to Alex Revell’s strike.

Related: ‘They’re destroying the club’: Charlton fan threatened with ban hits back

3.17pm BST

“Lloris was asleep,” says @steamyteabuns on Twitter of Everton’s opener against Tottenham. “The season’s started, Hugo.” Great username, that.

3.16pm BST

Scott Carson, once home of the DVD ‘England’s goalkeeper gaffes’, has scored an own goal to help put Barnsley in front in the Championship against Derby County. Leeds United are behind at Elland Road against Birmingham. Oh, and Will Grigg’s on Fire against Blackburn Rovers, who are behind at Wigan.

3.13pm BST

“I am wondering why Leicester don’t consider to sign Schweinsteiger,” writes Vinesh on email, following Leicester’s rather alarming defeat at Hull City. There’s bigger questions to contemplate at this time on a Saturday afternoon, but it’s one to consider.

3.12pm BST

Albert Adomah rampages down the right flank before finding Gastón Ramírez, who helps the ball back towards Álvaro Negredo. And the striker, who managed just five goals for Valencia last season, is off the mark for his new club.

3.10pm BST

It’s not a great start for Claude Puel at St Mary’s. Étienne Capoue has scored his first Premier League goal for two years. Some sloppy Southampton defending allows Odion Ighalo to help the ball towards the Frenchman, who has done some early damage after nine minutes.

3.07pm BST

Another year and another season for Ross Barkley to finally make his mark. Is Ronald Koeman the man to finally unearth Barkley’s magic touch on a weekly basis? Maybe not, but the England midfielder has put Everton ahead with a marvellous free-kick, his first goal since February.

3.05pm BST

Crystal Palace lost 10 home games last season. Can they make a better fist of it at Selhurst Park this campaign? Palace host West Brom today, with no recognised striker and Yannick Bolasie on the bench. There’s no Sullay Kaikai, but Keshi Anderson is an option on the bench for Alan Pardew.

3.03pm BST

It’s a good start for Southampton at St Mary’s, where defender Maya Yoshida, who is somehow still knocking around the first XI has an effort at goal from Dusan Tadic’s early free-kick. A brief scare for Watford goalkeeper Gomes.

3.01pm BST

The Premier League Saturday 3pm kick-off, is back! We’re underway around the grounds. Before the ball was kicked backwards at Goodison Park, new signing Ashley Williams was paraded around the centre circle:

Ashley Williams welcomed by the Goodison crowd https://t.co/WJW9lHHfOG

2.57pm BST

Just a few minutes away from kick-off! There’s plenty of positivity around, although Gary Lineker’s not feeling quite so chirpy anymore. And Swansea fans must be feeling a little downbeat after a glance at today’s teamsheet. Their catalyst of just about everything, Gylfi Sigurdsson, starts the season on the bench.

I sense that Leicester without the phenomenal Kanté will resort to being Leicester.

2.54pm BST

Rangers are top of the Scottish Premiership, for now at least, thanks to their first win of the season:

Related: Miller scores in hard-fought win for Rangers at Dundee

2.53pm BST

“I am a Danish Tottenham fan,” writes Lars Bøgegaard from Copenhagen, a place I’d love to visit, via email. “Will Spurs be Spursy from the start or wait until the end of the season? THAT is the question. Let the game begin!” That really is the question after last season’s flirtation with the top two places in the Premier League. The signing of Victor Wanyama, who makes his debut today, is bound to prove beneficial going forward.

2.50pm BST

A couple more talking points from today’s Premier League teams then. Yannick Bolasie starts on the bench against West Brom, amid continued interest from Everton in his services. Saido Berahino does start, though, for Tony Pulis’s men. And there’s a Koné on the bench for Everton, but it’s Arouna Koné and not the Sunderland defender.

Also, at St Mary’s, Southampton captain José Fonte starts on the bench, as does Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, the new signing from Bayern Munich.

2.46pm BST

Everton: Stekelenburg, Baines, Funes Mori, Jagielka, Holgate, McCarthy, Barry, Gueye, Mirallas, Barkley, Deulofeu

Subs: Robles, A Kone, Lennon, Cleverley, Oviedo, Davies, Galloway.

2.37pm BST

Back to the Premier League and to Stoke City, who name 40-year-old Shay Given in goal in place of the injured Jack Butland, and new signing Joe Allen starts on the bench at Middlesbrough. “I don’t want to be sat twiddling my thumbs on the bench and if I could change it I wanted to make sure I did,” says Wales midfielder Allen of his move from Liverpool.

2.35pm BST

Down in League One, B-listers Paul Konchesky, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and Jamie O’Hara are in Justin Edinburgh’s Gillingham squad to play Bury.

In League Two, 15-year-old Exeter City defender Ethan Ampadu is on the bench against Hartlepool, after starting in midweek against Brentford.

2.26pm BST

Even further north than Humberside, Rangers have defeated Dundee 2-1 to win their first Scottish Premiership match of the season.

FT: @dundeefconline 1:2 @RangersFC (O'Hara | Forrester, Miller) The Gers with a good three points won at Dens Park. pic.twitter.com/kM8rxJDCKl

2.22pm BST

Hull City’s 13 senior fit players have done it! They’ve won the Premier League – or it least it feels like they have. Jamie Vardy’s new season party is over before it’s even begun and Robert Snodgrass’s winner means it’s an opening day defeat for the Premier League champions:

Related: Hull City v Leicester City: Premier League – live!

2.20pm BST

Sean Dyche has been speaking ahead of Burnley’s opener against Swansea City. “There’s a very good group here. We’re in the market but it’s a very tough market. That’s probably taking more time than we hoped. We know the challenge but we’ll be ready for it.” Burnley have named just one new signing in the squad, Johann Berg Gudmundsson, and he’s on the bench today.

2.13pm BST

Victor Wanyama will make his Spurs debut at Goodison Park. Everton are without Seamus Coleman, who Ronald Koeman has confirmed will be out for “several weeks” before kick-off. There’s no Ashley Williams for Everton, so 19-year-old former Barnsley defender

John St
.. Mason Holgate starts.

On the south coast, Nathan Redmond makes his Southampton bow, as a striker, for his new club against Watford, who obviously name Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo as their front two this afternoon.

2.06pm BST

It’s just gone 2pm BST, which means some team news is beginning to drip in from around the grounds. There’s a Middlesbrough debut for Álvaro Negredo against Stoke City at the Riverside. Albert Adomah makes his Premier League debut, which gives me an excuse to wheel out this marvellous clip of the former painter and decorator. Elsewhere, Fernando Llorente starts for Swansea City ... at Turf Moor.

2.01pm BST

The shiny Premier League has been back for little more than an hour or so, but already Hull City causing havoc, creating a Leicester City-shaped surprise on Humberside. They lead the Premier League champions – it still feels odd saying that too – with less than 20 minutes to go. Follow that one with Rob Smyth here:

Related: Hull City v Leicester City: Premier League – live!

1.19pm BST

Seven days on from pretending football was properly back, today is the real blockbuster event isn’t it? The Community Shield has been and gone, and the meaningless rigmarole of pre-season has been well and truly left behind. This afternoon’s pick of Premier League matches are not, from the outside looking in, exactly gourmet dishes as such but just wait a minute. OK, perhaps it’s not the most mouthwatering fixture but Burnley v Swansea City is at least a chance to hear Sean Dyche’s pre-historic touchline roar all over again, and Swansea have the Fernando Llorente now for goodness sake. As for record signing Borja Bastón, he’s unlikely to feature. Everton host Tottenham Hotspur in the Ronald Koeman derby, which will either be a tantalising thriller or the polar opposite. Elsewhere, Stoke City travel to Middlesbrough, and Claude Puel and Walter Mazzarri go head-to-head in their first games on English soil. The action on the south coast is guaranteed to be more exciting than the post-match interviews at St Mary’s anyway. And, last but not least, there’s Crystal Palace’s last-ditch, on-the-pitch pursuit of West Brom’s striker Saido Berahino, which is worth keeping an eye on alone, even if it’s destined to be last on Match of the Day.

Out of breath already? Into the Championship, it’s going to be a humdinger there as well today. Walter Zenga’s Wolves take on Jaap Stam’s Reading – it still feels weird saying that. Aston Villa host Rotherham in search of their first win since February. New season, new captain and Tommy Elphick pulled up outside Villa Park on Friday night to drum up some scary entrance music in a bid to turnaround their fortunes. No, really. Another Midlands club, Birmingham City, travel to Leeds United and Newcastle United take on Huddersfield Town at St James’ Park.

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