The opening weekend of the Premier League - in pictures

The reigning champions Manchester United travelled to the Hawthorns for their first match of the season and, despite winning only five times on their travels last season, looked sprightly from the off. Wayne Rooney gave his side the lead following a skilful exchange with Ashley Young - Rooney's low shot was perfectly placed into the far corner of the net. This image captures not only the moment of execution, but also Rooney's newly grown barnet; that hair transplant of his wasn't a waste of money after all Photograph: Matthew Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images Rooney gets mobbed and Chris Smalling reaches over for a quick ruffle. Yep, it's all real Photograph: Alex Morton/Action Images United signed David De Gea from Atlético Madrid for £18m in the summer - the 20-year-old was meant to be a competent replacement for Edwin van der Sar. But, only a week after his hapless showing in the Community Shield, he's been displaying sure signs of incompetence again. De Gea allowed Shane Long's tame shot under his body to gift West Brom an equaliser Photograph: Nick Potts/PA But United earned a fortuitous winner in the closing stages when Ashley Young's cross was turned into his own net by Steven Reid in the 81st minute Photograph: Nick Potts/PA Cue some bird-like celebrations from Young and Rooney Photograph: Matthew Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images Be honest, you half-wanted to see a close up, didn't you? Photograph: Lindsey Parnaby/EPA Over at the Britannia Stadium, Stoke took the physical approach with visiting Chelsea. Here, Kenwyne Jones beats Ashley Cole to the ball Photograph: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images Matthew Etherington had to be taken off after an hour with a worrying shoulder injury Photograph: Ian Kington/AFP/Getty Images Chelsea had numerous penalty appeals turned down, including this one involving Fernando Torres. The Spaniard's histrionic tumbles provided much entertainment Photograph: Jon Super/AP 'Drat!' - that's doubtless the expression Andre Villas-Boas was searching for as his side were held to a 0-0 draw Photograph: Carl Recine/Action Images Liverpool's new dawn came and went on Saturday. Luis Suarez missed an early penalty before giving the reds the lead in the 12th minute with a header from Charlie Adam's cross ... Photograph: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images But Sebastian Larsson equalised for Sunderland just before the hour mark with an acrobatic volley. 1-1 it finished Photograph: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images At St James' Park, Arsenal were without Cesc Fábregas and Samir Nasri, both of whom are keen to leave the club but can't seem to locate the exit door. And Arsenal were soon without new signing Gervinho, too, as he earned a red card for his reaction after being dragged to his feet by notorious Newcastle scamp Joey Barton Photograph: Lee Smith/Action Images Here's the offence for which Gervinho was banished. More of a pat than anything. Arsène Wenger wasn't too happy - the game ended goalless Photograph: Lee Smith/Action Images Blackburn and Wolves enjoyed one of the more entertaining and keenly contested matches of the weekend Photograph: Chris Brunskill/Getty Images Blackburn led through debutant Mauro Formica, but Steven Fletcher and Stephen Ward scored to hand Wolves three points Photograph: Anna Gowthorpe/PA Wigan took the lead from the penalty spot against new boys Norwich when Ben Watson converted after Ritchie de Laet had felled Franco di Santo Photograph: Ed Sykes/Action Images But Wes Hoolahan capitalised on the Wigan goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi's mistake moments before half-time to set up a 1-1 draw Photograph: Ed Sykes/Action Images QPR were at home for their first match back in the Premier League, as verified by the rather ridiculous sign above Neil Warnock's head Photograph: Lee Mills/Action images They were given a hiding by Bolton who scored four unanswered goals to claim top spot in the league table on day one Photograph: Daniel Hambury/PA Fulham and Aston Villa played out the most dour of the day's matches at Craven Cottage. The game was notable only for the reflex saves which new keeper Shay Given made for Villa and the curiously warm welcome received by their new boss Alex McLeish Photograph: Akira Suemori/AP