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maltatoday, SUNDAY, 17 AUGUST 2014 49 Sport FOOTBALL Man United stunned as Arsenal leave it late A review of Saturday's action in the Barclays Premier League, including a win for Arsenal and a shock defeat for Man United ARSENAL midfielder Aaron Ram- sey netted a dramatic stoppage- time winner to finally break the resistance of managerless Crystal Palace on the opening day of the Barclays Premier League season. Ramsey, whose goal won the FA Cup at Wembley in May, smashed the ball home from close range as the Gunners came from behind to win their Barclays Premier League opener 2-1 at the Emirates Sta- dium. Defeat was harsh on the Eagles, who had produced a determined display at the end of a difficult few days following the shock departure of manager Tony Pulis on the eve of the new season. Indeed, a first-half header from Brede Hangeland, one of the few summer signings sanctioned by chairman Steve Parish, had put the hard-working Eagles ahead. Laurent Koscielny f licked home a free-kick from £30million Chile forward Alexis Sanchez to level be- fore the break. Arsenal lacked a cutting edge in the final third, creating only a few half-chances before Ramsey was on hand to slot home after Mathieu Debuchy's shot was saved - after Ja- son Puncheon had been sent off for a second yellow card. Earlier, Louis Van Gaal's first competitive match in charge of Manchester United proved one to forget as Swansea stole all three points at Old Trafford. United fans hoped Van Gaal's much-trumpeted arrival would wipe out the misery of David Moyes' ill-fated regime but it proved to be business as usual as Gylfi Sigurds- son steered the Swans to a 2-1 win. Sigurdsson - making his second debut for the Welshmen - squared for Ki Sung-yueng to open the scoring on 28 minutes but Wayne Rooney pulled United level eight minutes after the break with an overhead kick. But Garry Monk's men were un- daunted and went on to claim the deserved three points when Sig- urdsson swept the winner past David De Gea in the 72nd minute. Mauricio Pochettino's first Pre- mier League game in charge of Tot- tenham proved more memorable as defender Eric Dier grabbed an injury time winner in an incident- packed London derby at West Ham. The visitors were reduced to 10 men in the 29th minute when Kyle Naughton was sent off for handling a Kevin Nolan shot in the box, but Mark Noble fired the resulting penalty wide. The Hammers were also reduced to 10 men in the 63rd minute when James Collins was issued his sec- ond yellow card, and things got worse for the hosts as Harry Kane sent Dier clear to snatch the winner in added time. Alan Irvine looked set for a debut win in charge of West Brom before a late strike from Sebastian Larsson salvaged a point for Sunderland in a feisty 2-2 draw. Lee Cattermole's thunderous early opener was cancelled out by a Saido Berahino penalty and the Baggies striker put his side in front with a close-range volley in the 74th minute. But Gus Poyet's men refused to accept defeat and grabbed a point when the impressive Patrick van Aanholt crossed from the left and set up Larsson to stroke home the equaliser. Substitute Chris Wood gave Leicester something to celebrate on their return to the top-f light as his 86th minute effort sealed a 2-2 draw with Everton. Aiden McGeady curled the visi- tors in front on 20 minutes only for Leonardo Ulloa, the Foxes' recent capture from Brighton, to equalise almost immediately. Steven Naismith slammed Ever- ton back in front on the stroke of half-time but Wood was on hand to hit the leveller past Tim Howard after impressive work from Riyad Mahrez. Hull keeper Allan McGregor saved a late Charlie Austin penalty as the Tigers hung on for a 1-0 win at QPR. James Chester put the visitors in front with a diving header in the 52nd minute but his 83rd handball gave the home side their spot-kick chance, only for Austin to see his weak kick well saved. Andreas Weimann hinted at brighter times ahead for Aston Vil- la as his 50th minute drive sealed a 1-0 win over Stoke at the Britannia Stadium. Villa were on top for long peri- ods of the game and could have in- creased their winning margin with chances for Charles N'Zogbia and Leandro Bacuna. (+356) 800 737 70 Freephone: cabs t minivans t vip transport t luxury coaches t vintage buses 2138 9575 / 9921 5286 info@cabs.com.mt w w w . c a b s . c o m . m t Louis van Gaal walks off disappointed after Manchester United lose to Swansea