The new 2012-13 English Premier League season has begun with Liverpool and Arsenal getting off to disappointing starts, while Manchester City made it tough for themselves.
The champions had to come from behind to get past newly-promoted Southampton 3-2, with goals from Edin Dzeko and Samir Nasri getting them across the line.
City boss Roberto Mancini admitted there was plenty of room for improvement, but was also worried by a knee injury to star striker Sergio Aguero, who was their final day hero.
“I am worried. We don’t know how serious it is because we need to wait maybe two days for the scan,” Mancini said.
“But usually the knee is dangerous. The injury was so strange because it was not a bad tackle. It was not strong. The good thing was that he wanted to try and play. But at the moment we can’t say anything.”
A long-term injury to Aguero would be a major blow to City, who missed out on Robin van Persie’s signature after he sealed a move from Arsenal to Manchester United late last week.
Also on Sunday, Roberto Di Matteo’s Chelsea were comfortable 2-0 victors away to Wigan, with early goals from Branislav Ivanovic and Frank Lampard.
New signing Eden Hazard made a fine league debut, winning praise from Di Matteo, who said: “Hazard was outstanding. He showed all his qualities and it was a pleasure to watch him. He was a big threat and difficult to mark. He combined well with his team-mates, exactly what we were looking for.”
Elsewhere there were more problems for Liverpool and new manager Brendan Rodgers as they started off with a 3-0 defeat away to West Bromwich Albion.
It was a painful day for the Reds but Rodgers was furious with the refereeing which he felt cost his side.
“From being largely in control of the first half we went in 1-0 behind. A couple of decisions went against us,” he said.
Arsenal also had an underwhelming beginning to the new campaign, drawing 0-0 at home to Sunderland with new signing Olivier Giroud spurning a glorious late chance.
“He (Giroud) has some work to do to change his game, make runs in behind and to protect the ball and move around the box,” Wenger said. “But I’m positive he will get there because he is a fantastic finisher. I have to study it. At the moment we cannot say it worked.”