Erik Lamela’s second-half header rescued a 1-1 draw for Tottenham Hotspur and denied new Everton manager Ronald Koeman a winning start at Goodison Park on Saturday.
Lamela equalised in the 59th minute after Everton had claimed a deserved lead through Ross Barkley’s early goal.
Everton had the better of the first half but Mauricio Pochettino’s side came back well after the interval and Argentine midfielder Lamela ensured their pressure paid off.
Only two fine saves late on from debutant Everton goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg denied Spurs an opening day victory as the north Londoners look to emulate last season’s title challenge.
Everton went ahead in just the fifth minute.
Tottenham’s Kenya midfielder Victor Wanyama, signed from Southampton in the close-season, was penalised as he tripped Kevin Mirallas to halt the Belgian’s progress towards goal.
Barkley delivered a free-kick that eluded everyone, including Spurs keeper Hugo Lloris, who delayed his dive anticipating a touch from an Everton head and watched the ball nestle inside his left-hand post.
The goal brought the game to life and Everton might have doubled their lead when makeshift centre forward Gerard Deulofeu skipped past two challenges but saw his shot from the edge of the Spurs box held low down by Lloris.
And Leroy Fer’s late goal earned Swansea victory at Burnley on the opening day of the Premier League season.
Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton could not hold Jefferson Montero’s cross and Fer tapped home from close range.
Fernando Llorente and Federico Fernandez had each missed chances from inside the six yard box earlier in the game for the Swans.
Lucasz Fabianski denied newly promoted Burnley’s Dean Marney with a fine late save as the Welsh side held on.
In the first game of the new season, Leicester’s defence of their Premier League title began with a shock defeat at newly promoted Hull, who are managerless and relegation favourites.
Under caretaker boss Mike Phelan, Hull took the lead when Adama Diomande and Abel Hernandez combined acrobatically, with Diomande awarded the goal.
Riyad Mahrez replied from the penalty spot at the start of the second half after Ahmed Musa had been fouled.
But Robert Snodgrass earned the Tigers victory after a cross was not cleared, reports the BBC.
Danny Simpson’s clearance from Ahmed Elmohamady’s ball into the area only found Snodgrass on the edge of the box, and he drilled home.
It is the first time the reigning English champions have started the season with a defeat since 1989, when Arsenal lost at Manchester United.
EPL RESULTS
Hull 2 – 1 Leicester
Burnley 0 -1 Swansea
Crystal Palace 0 – 1 West Brom
Everton 1- 1 Tottenham
Middlesbrough 1 – 1 Stoke
Southampton 1 -1 Watford
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