Liverpool beat Chelsea to start title defense

Liverpool gave an early statement of intent over their Premier League title defense as two goals from Sadio Mane gave them a 2-0 win away to Chelsea, reported Xinhua.

Chelsea were the summer's big spenders and the game was a big test of both their and Liverpool's title credentials, but things swung dramatically Liverpool's way as Andreas Christensen was sent off for pulling Mane back when he was through on goal in the first half injury time.

Liverpool took advantage of the extra man early in the second half when Mane opened the scoring with a powerful header after a move involving Fabinho and Mohamed Salah in the 50th minute.

Four minutes later it was 2-0 after Mane slotted the ball home after a terrible error from Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, whose attempted clearance was blocked by the forward.

It looked as if it was going to be a stroll for Liverpool, who were in total control and brought Thiago Alcantara on for his debut. The new signing from Bayern Munich was then guilty of a needless foul on Timo Werner to give Jorginho the chance to level from the spot, only for Allisson to save his tame spot kick.

In the day's other match, South Korean striker Son Heung Min scored four goals as Tottenham produced a second half blitz to win 5-2 away to Southampton.

Danny Ings put Southampton ahead after half an hour and Spurs looked slow until Son equalized after an assist from Harry Kane two minutes into first half injury time.

Everything changed after the break with Son latching onto another Kane through ball in the 47th minute to put his side ahead, before adding two more in the 64th and 74th minutes.

Kane got in on the act when he turned home a rebound in the 82nd minute, before Ings netted his and Southampton's second of the game with a 90th minute penalty.

Brighton produced a surprise as they won 3-0 away to Newcastle United. Neil Maupay scored twice in the opening seven minutes, the first from the penalty spot, and Aaron Connelly added a third with seven minutes left to play.

The only disappointment for Graham Potter's side was a late red card for Yves Bissouma.

Manchester United's first Premier League game of the season ended in a shock 3-1 defeat at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday as Old Trafford old boy, Wilfred Zaha scored twice against his former club.

Crystal Palace took the lead in the seventh minute through Andros Townsend and doubled their advantage through Zaha's retaken spot kick after David de Gea was judged to have moved too soon when denying Andrew Ayew after a handball.

New signing Donny van de Beek gave United a chance with a goal in his debut but Zaha's excellent second strike five minutes from time condemned them to defeat.

Dominic Calvert-Lewis hit a hat-trick as Everton also made it two wins from two games with a 5-2 thrashing of newly promoted West Brom, who have now lost twice and conceded eight times on their return to the top-flight.

There were also seven goals in the clash between newly promoted Leeds United and Fulham with Leeds coming out 4-3 winners to claim their first points of the season.

Wander Helder scored twice for Leeds and Aleksander Mitrovic scored twice for the home side, who fought back from 4-1 down to give Leeds a nervy last 25 minutes.

Arsenal continued their winning start to the season with goals from Alexandre Lacazette and young striker Eddie Nketiah, who scored the winner five minutes from time after Michail Antonio had equalized for West Ham just before the break.

The round of matches ends on Monday with Aston Villa at home to Sheffield United, before Wolves entertain Manchester City.