English round-up: Late Arsenal strike downs Palace

Managerless Crystal Palace’s week took another turn for the worse when they conceded a stoppage-time goal in a 2-1 defeat at Arsenal yesterday on the Premier League season’s opening day.
Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey celebrates after scoring against Crystal Palace. Picture: APArsenal's Aaron Ramsey celebrates after scoring against Crystal Palace. Picture: AP
Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey celebrates after scoring against Crystal Palace. Picture: AP

Aaron Ramsey pounced late on to complete a comeback win for the Gunners, who had trailed after 35 minutes to a Brede Hangeland header.

Arsenal equalised on the stroke of half time when Laurent Koscielny headed in a free kick from Alexis Sanchez. Palace, who were rocked by manager Tony Pulis’ shock exit on Thursday, seemed to have earned a point with a stubborn defensive display but Ramsey tucked in a rebound after Mathieu Debuchy’s shot was saved by Julian Speroni. Palace had been reduced to ten men shortly before Arsenal’s late winner when Jason Puncheon was sent off.

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Mauricio Pochettino’s first league game in charge of Tottenham proved memorable as defender Eric Dier grabbed an injury-time winner in an incident-packed London derby at West Ham. The visitors were reduced to ten 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 ten men in the 63rd minute when James Collins was issued his second yellow, 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.

Chris Wood gave Leicester something to celebrate on their return to the top flight as his 86th-minute effort sealed a 2-2 draw with Everton. Aiden McGeady curled the visitors in front on 20 minutes only for Leonardo Ulloa, the Foxes’ recent capture from Brighton, to equalise immediately. Steven Naismith slammed Everton back in front on half time but Wood was on hand to hit the leveller past Tim Howard after impressive work from Riyad Mahrez. But Everton boss Roberto Martinez could be without Ross Barkley for up to five months after the England midfielder damaged the medial ligament in his right knee in training.

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-minute 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 Villa as his 50th-minute drive sealed a 1-0 win over Stoke.