Man United edges Spurs, flying starts for Leicester, Palace

Much has been made of Chelsea’s failure to attract a box-office name from outside the Premier League this summer.

When Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho needed a hero from the substitutes’ bench, there was no Cech to call on as he is now the man Arsenal will rely on for miracles between the posts.

“The first time you play at Old Trafford is always hard, but I liked the performance, especially of Darmian”, United manager Van Gaal, who was celebrating his 64 birthday, told BT Sport.

Chelsea’s keeper was sent off for a professional foul, leaving Jose Mourinho furious, but the ten men withstood a long spell of Swansea pressure before finishing strongly themselves. Swansea managed 18 against an unchanged defence which was the league’s strongest last season.

Chelsea could easily have lost this in the second half, but the first was mostly tolerable.

The Ghanaian opened his personal account and Swansea’s season with the first of two goals scored by the Wales club.

And they took the lead when Gomis conceded a free-kick on the left-hand angle of the Swansea penalty area following a clumsy challenge on Azpilicueta.

“There were too many problems for the Chelsea defence today”.

If Sunderland was well-beaten on the day, Norwich players were furious after a potential equalizer was disallowed in their home defeat to Palace.

The constant haranguing of referee Michael Oliver and his assistants – there looked very few decisions he got wrong. It’s just trying to get him to a level where he can perform to that for every single 90 minutes, week in and week out.

Shadow culture secretary Chris Bryant warned disabled fans are being “forgotten” by several top clubs which have yet to make their grounds “inclusive and accessible for all”.

Monk’s team fully deserved their equaliser, which is why the nature in which Chelsea regained the lead barely 60 seconds later was doubly cruel.

It was a memorable introduction but one cancelled out inside 100 seconds as Willian’s cross-shot looped in off Fernandez.

“My medical department left me with eight fit outfield players in a counter attack after a set piece and we were anxious we didn’t have enough players left”.

Walker put through his own net in the 22 minute, rushing back in an attempt to prevent England team-mate Wayne Rooney taking aim from Ashley Young’s cross and succeeding only in scuffing the ball into his own net.

Mourinho’s counterpart had his own opinion on the red card. Mourinho was incensed on the touchline, while Terry’s appeals earned him a yellow card.

The Special One admitted dropping points at home constituted a bad result, even with goalkeeper Courtois sent off after 52 minutes when he tripped Bafetimbi Gomis on his way to goal.

Monk’s side did not stop there and Jefferson Montero forced Begovic into two fine saves, before Shelvey tried his luck direct from a corner.