17/08/2008 5:46 AM
Hull celebrated a Premier League victory at the first time of asking with a 2-1 victory over Fulham at the KC Stadium.
It was an inauspicious start for the new boys as Seol Ki-hyeon put the visitors ahead in the eighth minute from Jimmy Bullard's cross.
But Geovanni had already forced Mark Schwarzer into a good save and he beat the Australian with a fizzing left-footer in the 22nd minute to level matters.
The former Manchester City man turned villain at the start of the second half, however, missing an open goal, but Caleb Folan ensured it would be Hull's day after Craig Fagan robbed Paul Konchesky in the 81st minute.
Arsenal kicked off the season with a 1-0 victory over promoted West Bromwich Albion at the Emirates Stadium.
Gunners new boy Samir Nasri opened his account after only four minutes, finding the bottom corner following a lay-off from Denilson.
The home side could easily have extended its lead with Emmanuel Adebayor missing a one-on-one and having a goal disallowed for offside midway through the second half.
Dean Ashton did his chances of being included in Fabio Capello's England squad to face the Czech Republic on Wednesday no harm with two goals for West Ham in a 2-1 victory against Wigan.
He opened the scoring after only three minutes at Upton Park, latching onto Julien Faubert's cross before turning and smashing a shot into the top corner.
He had a much easier task seven minutes later after Calum Davenport's hook towards goal left the former Norwich man with a tap-in.
Two minutes into the second half, Latics debutant Amr Zaki smashed in Emile Heskey's flick-on to give the visitors hope, but they could not find the equaliser.
However Ashton's day finished on a downer as he was taken from the field during the second half with what appeared to be a hamstring injury.
Andre Ooijer piled the pressure on Everton boss David Moyes with a last-gasp winner for Blackburn in a thrilling 3-2 victory at Goodison Park.
David Dunn turned away from Phil Jagielka before curling a brilliant shot into the corner to put Blackburn ahead after 22 minutes.
But Moyes, who has been unable to bolster his squad this summer, was smiling on the stroke of half-time as Mikel Arteta beat Paul Robinson with a 20-yard free-kick.
The home fans were celebrating again when Ayegbeni Yakubu headed home Arteta's cross to put them ahead in the 64th minute, only for Blackburn to draw level through Roque Santa Cruz two minutes later.
And Ooijer stabbed home the winner after New Zealand international Ryan Nelsen hit the post, giving Paul Ince his first victory since taking over from Mark Hughes aat Ewwood Park.
Newly-promoted Stoke was brought down to earth with a bump at the Reebok Stadium, losing 3-1 to Bolton.
Stoke found itself behind thanks to a stroke of fortune for Bolton defender Gretar Steinsson, whose cross flew over Thomas Sorensen and into the top corner in the 34th minute.
The Trotters' second goal was a lot more conventional, Kevin Davies outmuscling two defenders and heading in a long ball four minutes before the break, and the Potters' Premier League bow was certain to end in defeat when Johan Elmander grabbed a debut goal on the stroke of half-time to make it 3-0.
Ricardo Fuller gave the Potters something to smile about with an injury-time goal, however.
Tottenham was hoping for