Liverpool wins, Manchester City loses

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.