English Premier League Review

Stoke City had a Premier League return to forget as their first game back in English football's top flight ended in a 3-1 defeat at Bolton. Tony Pulis's men started well but fell behind in unfortunate circumstances. Gretar Steinsson ran down the right wing and flung a cross into the Potters box. Instead of flying into the centre of the area, however, it swung over keeper Thomas Sorensen and found its way into the far corner of the goal. And it wasn't long before it was joined by a second. Gary Cahill hit a free-kick into the danger area and Kevin Davies powed past two defenders to bullet home a header four minutes before the break.

Stoke needed to get into the dressing-room and regroup quickly, but Bolton were in no mood for mercy and added the third on the stroke of half-time with another header, this time courtesy of new Swedish signing Johan Elmander. Undeterred, the Potters managed to shore things up in the second half to avoid a humiliating opening day thrashing, and even found a goal back with Ricardo Fuller hitting home classily in injury time. But it was too little too late for the new boys, and Pulis will be under no illusion as to the tricky task which lies ahead in the next nine months.

It was a different story at the KC Stadium, however, as Stoke's fellow underdogs Hull got their first-ever Premier League campaign off to a flier with a shock late victory over Fulham. The stands were awash with orange and black before kick-off, but it looked like the home faithful would be disappointed on their big day when Fulham took an early lead.