Villa stuns Arsenal in EPL opener
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E-mail Shanghai Daily, August 18, 2013
Christian Benteke struck twice to inspire Aston Villa to a shock 3-1 win at Arsenal on a dramatic opening day of the Premier League season yesterday.
Striker Daniel Sturridge scored and new goalkeeper Simon Mignolet saved a late penalty to earn Liverpool a deserved 1-0 win over Stoke City and Norwich City drew 2-2 with Everton.
West Ham United beat promoted Cardiff City 2-0, Fulham won 1-0 at Sunderland and Southampton striker Rickie Lambert converted a late penalty to secure a 1-0 victory at West Bromwich Albion.
Arsenal took an early lead at the Emirates through forward Olivier Giroud but Benteke equalized from the rebound after having a penalty saved and the powerful striker fired home another spot-kick after 62 minutes.
Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny was sent off before full back Antonio Luna grabbed a late third for Villa.
Sturridge put Liverpool ahead against Stoke with a firm 20-meter shot after 37 minutes and Mignolet plunged to his right to keep out Jonathan Walters's penalty a minute from time.
Also, Wayne Rooney was on the bench as champion Manchester United was to begin its title defence at Swansea City in a late match.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said after the match yesterday that the situation surrounding unsettled striker Luis Suarez has been resolved and the club is ready to move on from the affair.
The subject of two failed bids from Arsenal, Suarez was forced to train on his own by Rodgers after declaring that he wanted to leave, but the 26-year-old Uruguayan returned to training with his teammates on Friday.
Rodgers said he felt the issue had been put to bed. "I am satisfied with how everything has been resolved and we as a club are looking to the future," Rodgers said. "There is nothing to be said there. I won't be saying anything on Luis Suarez and that is only purely out of respect for the (other) players."
Suarez is suspended for the first six matches of the new season after biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic during a league game at Anfield in April.
He briefly appeared beside the pitch prior to the game against Stoke, carrying his daughter, Delfina, and received a short burst of applause from the fans already inside the stadium.
"He is a part of our team and club and the supporters are a class act here," said Rodgers.
Speaking ahead of the game, Rodgers had confirmed that Suarez was "back in the group", but he refused to confirm reports that the player had apologized to his teammates for his conduct.
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