Mitrovic and Fulham shock Liverpool upon Prem return
PROMOTED Fulham marked their return to the top flight with a battling 2-2 draw against title hopefuls Liverpool at Craven Cottage on the opening Saturday of the new Premier League season.
Serbia striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, whose 43 goals helped deliver the Sky Bet Championship crown, broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute when he headed past Alisson Becker.
Liverpool’s club-record £85million summer signing Darwin Nunez hauled the Reds level with an improvised backheel just after the hour mark, only for Mitrovic to put Fulham back in front from the penalty sport in the 72nd minute.
But with 10 minutes left, Mohamed Salah slotted in after being set up by Nunez to secure Jurgen Klopp’s side a first point in their quest to wrestle the title from rivals Manchester City.
Tottenham came from behind to beat Southampton 4-1.
Saints captain James Wardprowse had silenced the home crowd when he opened the scoring in the 12th minute.
Spurs, though, were soon back on level terms when Ryan Sessegnon headed in and Eric Dier nodded home a second following a corner as the hosts completed the turnaround before half-time.
Just after the hour, Southampton defender Mohammed Salisu scuffed a cross from Son Heungmin into his own net, then the impressive Dejan Kulusevski swiftly added a fourth for Spurs in the 63rd minute.
Promoted Bournemouth, back in the top flight after two seasons in the Championship, opened the campaign with a 2-0 win over Aston Villa at the Vitality Stadium.
The Cherries took the lead inside two minutes when Colombia midfielder Jefferson Lerma drilled home following a corner and Kieffer Moore headed in a late second to wrap up the points.
Leeds got their season up and running after recovering to beat Wolves 2-1 at Elland Road.
Daniel Podence had fired the visitors into a sixth-minute lead when his volley flew in off the underside of the crossbar.
Leeds, though, were back on level terms in the 24th minute through an angled drive from Rodrigo.
With 16 minutes left, Patrick Bamford’s low cross was turned into his own goal by Wolves defender Rayan Ait-nouri under pressure from Brenden Aaronson.