Premier League Relegation Candidates Wk 1 Round-up

The first game of the season is gone and the first point is on the board! Wes Hoolahan`s capitalisation on Ali Al-Habsi`s mistake brought the Canaries level after a maybe slightly harsh penalty for the hosts. Though a win seemed possible during a second half that City dominated, most would have accepted a point at the start of the day.

Here`s a look at the other expected relegation candidates and they got on in their opening fixture. As the season goes on I`ll include teams that are down there, but these are the five I expect the main battle to be against.

QPR 0 v 4 Bolton
A result that will have delighted most Norwich fans, QPR got off to the worst possible start in their return to the top flight. Inside the first ten minutes Kieron Dyer was stretchered off - as usual when he steps on a football pitch! A stunning goal from Bolton Centre-half Gary Cahill gave Bolton the lead before Rangers just wilted and let them run amuck.

An own goal from Danny Gabbidon and a deflected effort from Ivan Klasnic put them 3-0 up before Fabrice Muamba ended a miserable afternoon for the hosts at Loftus Road. To make matters worse for them Clint Hill was sent off for head butting Martin Petrov.

Man City 4 v 0 Swansea
Swansea were given a harsh lesson by the Premier League`s moneybags as they got trounced 4-0 at the newly-named Etihad Stadium. Sergio Aguero made a dream start to his career in England as he scored twice after coming on with only half an hour to go. Edin Dzeko gave them the lead after the Swans had survived the first half, showing why a lot of pundits see them as doing the best out of the three promoted sides. However, once Aguero was on things fell apart for them, Silva putting them three up before Aguero`s second and City`s fourth in injury time.

Blackburn 1 v 2 Wolves
Two teams fighting to stay up this division with Wolves getting off to a great start. A win away from home and a comeback after going one-nil down will have done wonders for Mick McCarthy`s side. Blackburn took the lead on 20 minutes with Mauro Formica getting the goal on his debut, however the lead was only to stand for 90 second as Wolves hit back straight away through Steven Fletcher.

Rovers are having injury problems at the moment and had the Wolves attacked been more clinical they would have won more convincingly carving them open a number of times. Two minutes after the break Michel Salgado brought down Matt Jarvis in the box to concede a penalty. Paul Robinson fantastically saving Kevin Doyle`s spot kick but the ball eventually fell to Stephen Ward who spectacularly volleyed the ball into corner.

I think both teams will be down there come the end of the season but for Wolves this win and the confidence from it will be priceless.

West Brom 1 v 2 Man Utd
A comfortable season ending last year I can see West Brom being down there this season but put up a good fight against the champions. Wayne Rooney gave United the lead before Shane Long equalised on his debut. Just when it looked like the game might end up in a draw an own goal spared an earlier error from De Gea to give United the first three points of the season.

West Brom will hope that striker Peter Odemwingie will stay at the club and be just as successful as he was last season in their bid to achieve the same or higher than they did last year.

So a good weekend for Norwich in terms of their rivals in the league, finishing in the top six and QPR and Swansea occupying the bottom two. Judging by the performance in the first game there should be a few points won at Carrow Road. Loftus Road, however, looks like it may be a good place for the visitors. One down, thirty-seven to go!

You can follow James on Twitter via @James_Shiplee

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