LONDON, (Reuters) – Fernando Torres scored his first goal in 10 games when he volleyed the winner as Liverpool kick-started their Premier League campaign with a 1-0 win over West Bromwich Albion at Anfield yesterday.
Big-spending Manchester City, who beat Liverpool 3-0 on Monday, lost 1-0 at Sunderland where Darren Bent’s stoppage-time penalty gave the home side all three points.
Bolton Wanderers fought back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at home with Birmingham City after their Finnish international goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen was sent off for slapping Birmingham’s Roger Johnson in the face.
Aston Villa recovered from their 6-0 mauling at Newcastle United last week and their Europa League playoff defeat to Rapid Vienna when an early goal from Luke Young gave them a 1-0 victory over winless Everton at Villa Park.
Torres had two knee operations at the end of last season, struggled at the World Cup for Spain and, according to manager Roy Hodgson, is still not quite at full fitness. Nevertheless, he volleyed in Dirk Kuyt’s cross after 65 minutes for his 41st goal in 43 Premier League matches at Anfield.
“Fernando is fighting to be at his very best and is still two to three games away from full match fitness but the goal will do him a power of good today,” Hodgson told the BBC. “He got stronger as the game went on.”
West Brom had defender James Morrison sent off four minutes from time for a late foul on Torres.
