For the second week in a row, reigning Premier League Champions Manchester City had to work hard to earn a point after a fatal Martin Skrtel error gifted Carlos Tevez a very important equalizer ten minutes before the end at Anfield.
The Champions were trailing 2-1 at that point thanks to a brilliant Luis Suarez free-kick, but the Argentine seized the opportunity and calmly slotted home the equalizer after getting past the rushing Pepe Reina.
Martin Skrtel gave the home side the lead with a bullet header in the first half, only to see his goal cancelled by Yaya Toure in the second half, Suarez put the ‘Reds’ back on track with a brilliant free-kick before Skrtel turned from hero to zero and Tevez took advantage to help City earn a valuable point at Anfield.
Earlier, Arsenal failed to take their chances once again, this time against Stoke City at the Britannia stadium to get out with yet another goalless draw. Cazorla, Giroud and Podolski all missed glorious chances while Stoke had a goal and a penalty chalked-off by the match referee.
A day earlier, Manchester United grabbed their first points of the new campaign after narrowly edging past Fulham 3-2 at Old Trafford, in a game that witnessed a horrific Wayne Rooney injury deep into stoppage time. Damien Duff’s early goal was replied three times by the Red Devils, Robin van Persie opened his United account, so did Shinji Kagawa, while Rafael made it three for the home side with an excellent header. The visitors did get a goal back in the second half thanks to a misunderstanding between captain Nemanja Vidic and David De Gea but it wasn’t enough for them as United narrowly escaped 3-2 winners. After the match United learned that Wayne Rooney would be missing four weeks of action after Rodallega’s leg fell on his tight, causing a deep gash.
Later that night Eden Hazard once again starred for Chelsea as the European Champions made it three-out-of-three after defeating Newcastle United 2-0 at Stamford Bridge. The ‘brilliant’ Hazard scored from the spot before magically teeing up Fernando Torres who finished the move with a master-class finish to the roof of the net. The Magpies failed to take their chances in the second half and Chelsea went on to lead the Barclays Premier League with nine points ahead of Swansea City who once again dominated their opponents, this time it was newly-promoted West Ham United who conceded three goals at the Liberty Stadium. Angel Rangel, Michu and Danny Graham all got their names on the score-sheet.
At White Hart Lane, new boss Andre Villas Boas’ home debut was ruined by James Morrison, who scored a lasp gasp goal to earn a point for the Baggies who now have four points. Benoit Assou Ekotto put the home side ahead with half volley midway into the second half but the young winger capped on a poor defensive clearance to place a low effort past Brad Friedel.
Full Premier League week 2 results:
| 25/08/2012 | Swansea |  | 3-0 |  | West Ham |
| 25/08/2012 | Southampton |  | 0-2 |  | Wigan |
| 25/08/2012 | Aston Villa |  | 1-3 |  | Everton |
| 25/08/2012 | Norwich |  | 1-1 |  | QPR |
| 25/08/2012 | Tottenham |  | 1-1 |  | West Brom |
| 25/08/2012 | Man. United |  | 3-2 |  | Fulham |
| 25/08/2012 | Chelsea |  | 2-0 |  | Newcastle |
| 26/08/2012 | Stoke |  | 0-0 |  | Arsenal |
| 26/08/2012 | Liverpool |  | 2-2 |  | Man. City |
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