City win, Chelsea sink Wigan

Manchester City picked up where they left off last season as the champions started their Premier League title defence by coming from behind to beat Southampton 3-2 on Sunday, while Eden Hazard stole the show on his debut in Chelsea’s 2-0 win at Wigan. City were back in action at Eastlands for the first time since they clinched the club’s first English title for 44 years with a sensational 3-2 victory over QPR on the final day of last season. Roberto Mancini’s side had trailed 2-1 before scoring twice in stoppage-time that day to pip Manchester United on goal difference and they had to recover from the same deficit to see off newly-promoted Southampton in another enthralling encounter. Sergio Aguero had scored the winner against QPR, but memories of that glorious moment quickly faded when the Argentine striker was stretchered off within the first 15 minutes following a challenge from Southampton’s debutant defender Nathaniel Clyne. To make matters worse for City, they squandered a chance to take the lead in the 19th minute when David Silva’s tame penalty was easily saved by Kelvin Davis after Carlos Tevez was tripped by Jos Hooiveld. Earlier on Sunday, Hazard enjoyed a dream debut for Chelsea as the Belgium forward set up both his side’s goals for Branislav Ivanovic and Frank Lampard within the opening seven minutes at the DW Stadium. The 21-year-old’s dynamic display bodes well for Blues boss Roberto Di Matteo as he tries to overhaul his team’s style of play.