Gerrard leaves it late to find Liverpool winner; Arsenal upset

LONDON – Arsenal stumbled early in the season, losing at Fulham 1-0 in the Premier League on Saturday, while Steven Gerrard executed a winner deep into injury time to complete Liverpool’s 2-1 come-from-behind victory over Middlesbrough. Fulham defender Brede Hangeland scored in the 21st minute to spoil Arsene Wenger’s 450th league match. Liverpool trailed in the 70th minute after a long-range strike from Middlesbrough striker Mido but equalized with five minutes remaining when Jamie Carragher’s shot went in off defender Emanuel Pogatetz. Also in the second round of matches Saturday, Premier League newcomers Stoke beat Aston Villa 3-2, Sunderland won 2-1 at Tottenham, Everton overcame West Brom 2-1, Newcastle defeated Bolton 1-0, and Hull held Blackburn 1-1. Arsenal’s defeat—after struggling to beat West Brom in its season opener—exposed the urgency to strengthen the midfield before the transfer window closes Sept. 1. Robin van Persie squandered a chance to put the Gunners ahead after 20 minutes at Craven Cottage, after new signing Samir Nasri had miskicked Theo Walcott’s cross. It proved costly as a minute later Hangeland slid forward to poke Jimmy Bullard’s low cross over the line. “They were always sharp and motivated and defended very well and we didn’t create enough chances to win the game," Wenger said. “In the first half in midfield we were dominated and not strong or quick enough and we suffered. “We tried very hard into the last second of the game, but we could not score." Middlesbrough, seeking its first win at Anfield since 1976, had an early blow when goalkeeper Brad Jones was injured in the warmup. Liverpool’s new striking duo was wasteful, with Robbie Keane firing wide and Fernando Torres failing to position a header to score for a ninth straight home league match, which would have been a club record. Liverpool maintained its domination after the break before Mido, who replaced Afonso Alves on the hour, blasted a shot into the bottom left which Pepe Reina was powerless to block. Rafa Benitez’s side went in search of the equalizer and it came in the 85th. Gerrard made it two wins out of two in the fourth minute of injury time, exploiting David Wheater’s weak headed clearance. “Gerrard showed the winning mentality, he has done that so many times from a similar position," Benitez said. “Many other players would have put it high over the bar, but you know Gerrard will hit the target." Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen, who had an injury-plagued preseason, showed why he deserves a new Newcastle contract. The England player came off the bench and didn’t take long to send a glancing header past Bolton goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen in the 71st to secure the three points. “We do want Michael to stay, all of us," Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan said. “We have just got to get to the point where we have got an agreement, and that’s got to be right for both parties. “I know he wants to stay, I know he likes it here, really likes it here." Earlier, Newcastle defender Steven Taylor got a yellow card for handling the ball in the penalty area, but Shay Given continued his superb start to the season by saving Kevin Nolan’s spot kick. Spurs lost its second game of the campaign without Dimitar Berbatov, who was left out of the squad after manager Juande Ramos announced that he was having a negative effort on the dressing room as he seeks a move to Manchester United. The Bulgaria striker was missed, with Darren Bent failing to reproduce his prolific preseason form when it matters. Sunderland went ahead in the 55th when Kieran Richardson unleashed a powerful half volley that Heurelho Gomes was powerless to stop. Gareth Bale, Darren Bent and David Bentley had opportunities to level before Jermaine Jenas tapped into an open net in the 73rd for Tottenham after Luka Modric’s effort was parried by Craig Gordon. But Tottenham felt the force of Sunderland newcomer Djibril Cisse, with the substitute sealing a 2-1 victory in the 83rd after connecting with Daryl Murphy’s cross. It was the second time White Hart Lane had witnessed Cisse finding the target on his debut, after making an instant impact for Liverpool in 2004. Mamady Sidibe scored a 90th-minute winner to give newly promoted Stoke its first Premier League victory against Aston Villa. Liam Lawrence had put the Potters ahead from the penalty spot in the 30th, but John Carew leveled in the 62nd with his third goal in two matches. Stoke regained the lead in the 80th through Ricardo Fuller only to see it canceled out by Martin Laursen within three minutes. Sidibe secured the three points with a header. Hull maintained its unbeaten first season in the top flight with a 1-1 draw at Blackburn. Jason Roberts put Rovers ahead in the 39th, but Richard Garcia canceled it out within a minute with a header. Injury-hit Everton registered its first win of the season against West Brom. Mikel Arteta set up Leon Osman who broke the deadlock in the 65th and the advantage was doubled in the 76th when Ayegbeni Yakubu headed home his 100th league goal. Everton captain Phil Neville handled in the penalty area with a minute remaining and despite Roman Bednar converting from the spot the Baggies lost 2-1. Chelsea seeks a second straight win under Luiz Felipe Scolari at Wigan on Sunday, when Manchester City hosts West Ham. Defending champion Manchester United is at Portsmouth on Monday. – AP