English Premier League: West Ham inflict shock defeat on Arsenal; Liverpool beat Stoke 1-0

London: Philippe Coutinho scored a late winner, in the 86th minute, as Liverpool got their new Premier League campaign off to a flying start with a 1-0 win over Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium at Stoke-on-Trent on Sunday. 

 

Earlier in the day, Petr Cech made a debut to forget for Arsenal as his errors helped West Ham United to record a 2-0 victory at the Emirates Stadium. 

 

Cech’s arrival from Chelsea has been acclaimed as a signing that could turn Arsenal into title contenders, but he was found wanting as Arsene Wenger’s side opened their Premier League campaign with a home defeat for the second time in three years.

 

Cech’s rash charge allowed Cheikhou Kouyate to head West Ham in front from debutant Dimitri Payet’s 43rd-minute free-kick and the Czech international’s slowness to get down saw him beaten at his near post from 25 yards by Mauro Zarate shortly before the hour.

 

“We were not convincing offensively or defensively,” said Wenger, whose side beat champions Chelsea 1-0 in the Community Shield last weekend.

 

“The players were maybe too nervous and put too much pressure on themselves. Today we have been hurt mentally and it is a good opportunity to respond.”West Ham’s win echoed Aston Villa’s 3-1 success at the Emirates on the first day of the 2013-14 campaign and enabled Slaven Bilic to crown his first league game as manager with a famous victory.

 

“We are all very pleased and it is a great start for us -- not only for the three points, but points against a team that are title contenders,” said the Croatian. “If you add to that a London derby, it makes it an even bigger win.” 

 

 

Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was sent off as Chelsea began their title defence with an engrossing 2-2 draw at home to an excellent Swansea City side on Saturday.

Jose Mourinho’s men were leading 2-1 when Courtois was dismissed for fouling Bafetimbi Gomis right on the edge of his area in the 52nd minute and the French striker scored the equaliser from the spot to help Swansea thwart the champions.