BPL: Devils dethrone Reds on day one

MAN United started the new season right where they left last season - back on top of the league standings after the conclusion of the first Saturday fixtures. With the advantage of a lunchtime kickoff, Liverpool had the rare privilege of seeing them top the table temporarily with their 1-0 win over Stoke.

Playing away at Swansea which drew a first-day full house – albeit with a capacity of just over 20,000 - United carved out a comfortable win despite not having the lion’s share of the possession (49% as opposed to the home team’s 51%).

It took United just over half an hour before the starting duo of Van Persie and Danny Welbeck scored one each to signal United’s intentions.

A big cheer greeted substitute Wayne Rooney who came on with 30 minutes to go. Moyes decided to rest him – not because he is in any way unsettled at United – but because the player had just come out from the exertions of the England win over auld enemy Scotland 48 hours earlier. He had a hand in supplying the pass that led to Van Persie’s goal-of-the-game with less than 20 minutes on the clock left.

Swansea replied with a goal from their star signing Wifried Bony before United capped off a fine afternoon’s outing with another goal from Welbeck scored in injury time.

The delicious irony in United’s win is not lost on their new manager David Moyes. United lost to Everton on opening day last season which Moyes managed. United went on to win the title. The boot is now on the other foot as Sir Alex Ferguson’s regal reign has ended with the opening day conqueror now firmly ruling at United.

Arsenal’s long suffering fans meanwhile appear to be in for another season of underachievement with a home defeat to Aston Villa, the team that narrowly escaped relegation last season.

Malaysian interest in the Premiership was centered on Cardiff with its Berjaya Corporation connections. However there was no cheer as they lost 1 – 0 away to West Ham.

The final opening-day league table positions will only become clear once Crystal Palace play Spurs (13:30 GMT) and Chelsea play Hull (16:00 GMT) on Sunday. United’s neighbours Man City play Newcastle at 20:00 GMT on Monday. For now, bragging rights has passed from Liverpool to United.