Jose Mourinho was full of praise for Wigan after his side claimed a dramatic late victory thanks to a superb injury time strike by Hernan Crespo.
“You could not tell who were the Premiership Champions and who was in the Championship last season,” he said after the Blues won despite a battling performance from Wigan.
Chelsea struggled until Crespo’s 93-minute winner, seconds after substitute Johansson wasted a glorious chance for the Latics.
Late goals from Thierry Henry and Robin Van Persie against 10-man Newcastle ensured Arsenal won at Highbury on the opening day of the season for the last time.
Henry converted a penalty on 81 minutes after Freddie Ljungberg was brought down by substitute Charles N’Zogbia and Van Persie sealed the win with a good finish from a tight angle three minutes from time.
Graeme Souness refused to speak to the media after midfielder Jermaine Jenas was shown a straight red card on 32 minutes by referee Steve Bennett.
Wayne Rooney scored at Goodison Park for the first time since his move from Everton to help Manchester United start the new season with a commanding away win.
Ruud Van Nistelrooy steered in John O’Shea’s cross to give the visitors the lead two minutes before half-time. Rooney then benefited from a Joseph Yobo blunder to double United’s lead and secure an impressive win.
Darren Bent scored two goals on his Premiership debut to give 10 man Charlton a 3-1 away win at newly promoted Sunderland.
Bent scored with a powerful low shot after just 10 minutes, only for Sunderland to level with Andy Gray from close range. Loan-signing Darren Ambrose was sent-off for a lunge on Stephen Wright before Danny Murphy scored from a free-kick. Bent then added a late third.
West Ham returned to the Premiership with a 3-1 win over Blackburn after coming back from a goal down.
Andy Todd scored from close-range after West Ham failed to clear from a corner. Teddy Sheringham equalised just after half-time after he benefited from a rebound.
Nigel Reo-Coker blasted the Hammers in front from the edge of the area with Mathew Etherington tapping in the third. Blackburn had Paul Dickov sent-off for a lunge on Paul Konchesky.
Tottenham opened the season with an way win at Portsmouth despite the absence of new signing Edgar Davids.
Andy Griffin diverted past his own keeper after pressure from Mido to give Spurs the lead. Defoe completed the win after he raced on to Mido’s pass and rounded Sander Westerveld to score from a tight angle on 64th minutes.
Aston Villa and Bolton shared the points at Villa Park after four goals were scored within nine minutes.
Kevin Philips gave Villa the lead on his debut with a header at the far-post. Kevin Davies equalised for Bolton with a close-range finish. Ivan Campo then put Bolton 2-1 ahead with a header form a Gary Speed corner. Steven Davis scored from Philips cut-back to salvage a point for Villa.
Luis Boa Morte hit the bar as Fulham and Birmingham played out a stalement at Craven Cottage.
Boa Morte came closest when his shot was deflected onto the woodwork before half-time. Julian Gray wasted the Blues best chance sending his shot wide.
Liverpool were held goalless by 10-man Middlesbrough as Steven Gerrard squandered a host of second half chances.
Gerrard was unable to beat Boro keeper Mark Schwarzer despite Ugo Ehiogu being dismissed on 74 minutes for a foul on the Liverpool captain.
Inspired performances from David James and his counterpart Chris Kirkland ensured Man City and West Brom shared the points after the game ended goalless.
City were unable to beat keeper Kirkland and had to rely on James to deny the Baggies an away win.
