Sheffield United started life back in the Championship with a disappointing 2-2 draw at home to Colchester.
The Blades' big money signing James Beattie gave them the lead midway through the 2nd half with a debut goal however within 30 seconds the Us were level.
Mark Yeates crossed from the right and Kevin McLeod found the net.
Bryan Robson's side restored their lead through Michael Tonge in the 82nd minute however the visitors fought back again as new signing from MK Dons Clive Platt scored from close range with a minute to go.
It was an even worse opening day for the Blades' city rivals Sheffield Wednesday, who lost 4-1 at Ipswich.
The Owls were a goal down in the 2nd minute when Alan Lee converted a penalty after a foul by Lee Bullen on Pablo Counago. Gary Roberts volleyed in a 2nd 9 minutes later and Lee added his 2nd and Town's 3rd in the 25th minute.
Counago scored a 4th on the hour before Leon Clarke's late consolation for Brian Laws' side.
Laws' old club Scunthorpe marked their return to the 2nd tier with a 1-1 draw away to Charlton.
Marcus Bent scored in the 62nd minute for the Addicks however Scunthorpe secured a draw through defender Izzy Iriekpen, their summer signing from Swansea.
Southampton, one of the favourites for promotion, suffered a shock 4-1 home defeat to Crystal Palace.
James Scowcroft scored a hat trick for the Eagles, hitting a quickfire brace (30 and 31) before Marek Saganowski's scrambled effort gave Saints hope on the stroke of half time.
Scowcroft completed his treble 10 minutes into the 2nd half and Clinton Morrison added a 4th 2 minutes later.
Coventry, under former Palace manager Iain Dowie, were also 4-1 winners at Barnsley.
Leon McKenzie gave the Sky Blues a 6th minute lead however Brian Howard's penalty 3 minutes later levelled the scores.
Kevin Kyle headed City back in front (50) from Jay Tabb's cross and new boy Julian Gray added a 3rd 15 minutes later.
Maltese forward Michael Mifsud wrapped up the scoring in injury time.
Leicester started the Martin Allen era with a 1-0 defeat to newly-promoted Blackpool, led by former Foxes defender Simon Grayson.
The only goal came in the 63rd minute from Keith Southern to give the Seasiders a winning start in the east midlands.
West Bromwich Albion failed to live up to their pre season billing with a 2-1 defeat at Burnley.
The Baggies led through Kevin Phillips' 18th minute effort however Michael Duff's header pulled Burnley level (47).
Steve Cotterill's side got the winner when handball was given against Neil Clement in the 79th minute and Andy Gray stroked in the penalty.
Cardiff also succumbed to defeat, at home to Stoke, as Ryan Shawcross got the only goal in the 27th minute, Steven MacLean missing a late penalty for the Bluebirds.
Newly-promoted Bristol City were seconds away from win however had to settle for a 2-2 draw at home to QPR.
Lee Johnson (25) put the Robins ahead however Rangers hit back immediately through Dexter Blackstock.
Scott Murray's excellent effort in the final seconds of normal time looked decisive however John Gregory's men again hit back as Damion Stewart headed home in injury time.
Hull lost 3-2 in a dramatic match against Plymouth at the KC Stadium, Dean Windass putting the hosts ahead in the 3rd minute however Plymouth fighting back to lead 2-1 at the break through David Norris (15) and Rory Fallon (45).
Hull drew level through Dean Marney (49) however a terrific strike from Sylvan Ebanks-Blake 9 minutes from time proved the winner.
Preston, whose late slump saw them miss out on last season's play-offs, started with a goalless draw against Norwich at Deepdale.
05 08 2007
Robin van Persie netted the goal which won Arsenal the Amsterdam Tournament, however was then carried off against Ajax.
A match which was a physical, and often bad-tempered affair, was settled by finish from the Dutchman with only 3 minutes left.
However, the former Feyenoord player then had to be helped from the field following a heavy challenge from Johnny Heitinga, however was able to soon rejoin his team mates as they celebrated a 2nd pre season tournament win.
Villa warmed up for the new Premier League season with a commanding 3-0 triumph over Italian champions Inter Milan at Villa Park.
Inter, who beat Man Utd 3-2 at Old Trafford earlier in the week, were a goal down in the 14th minute when Gareth Barry slotted home from Stiliyan Petrov's cross.
Sweden forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic dragged a shot wide 2 minutes before the break and 3 minutes into the 2nd half Villa doubled their lead.
Barry's free kick into the box was headed home by former AC Milan defender Martin Laursen. The 3rd came midway through the 2nd half when Gabriel Agbonlahor advanced into the box and was tripped by Walter Samuel, Barry converting the penalty.
Tottenham manager Martin Jol opted for Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov up front and was rewarded with a goal from each in a 2-0 triumph over Torino.
Keane volleyed the home side in front in the 16th minute at White Hart Lane after the visitors failed to clear a free-kick.
Berbatov was then gifted a simple tap in on 65 minutes when Steed Malbranque collected Pascal Chimbonda's cross, rounded the goalie and rolled the ball across the box.
Spurs have now won 7 out of 7 in their pre season programme ahead of next week's league opener at Sunderland.
Valencia spoiled Sven-Goran Eriksson's Manchester City welcoming party by triumphing 1-0 at Eastlands to leave the new manager with a lot of work to do before the Premier League opener at The Hammers next week.
With 5 new transfers in his starting line-up, some of whom the former England manager had never even seen play, there is always going to be an element of the unknown about the clash with one of Spain's 4 Champions League entrants.
Eriksson would certainly were able to pick several positives out of the narrow defeat, not least the display of young midfielder Michael Johnson.
But David Silva's early winner, combined with a series of missed chances that included 2 by player forward Rolando Bianchi, suggested it could take some time for Eriksson's new-look side to gel.
Owen Hargreaves in the end made his Man Utd debut as the Premier League champions enjoyed a comfortable 3-1 triumph over Peterborough.
Hargreaves played 45 minutes after coming on as a subsitute and looked back to his best in his traditional holding position in midfield.
He was the only 1st team player of note in a youthful United side that proved too strong for Peterborough, managed by Alex Ferguson's son Darren.
Adam Eckersley gave Ferguson senior's side the lead in the 23rd minute when the left back fired a powerful shot beyond Posh goalie Shwan Jalal.
Ferguson junior looked to have pulled off a masterstroke when Rene Howe, a half time subsitute, levelled matters with a fine shot 4 minutes after the restart.
But United were always the stronger and they made their fitness tell later in the 2nd half with goals from Richie Jones in the 72nd minute and a 3rd from Fangzhuo Dong 10 minutes later.
Portsmouth's new recruit David Nugent was on target as they came from behind to beat Leicester 3-1 in a pre season friendly at the Walkers Stadium.
Iain Hume put the Foxes ahead in the 14th minute when a clever ball from Mark de Vries put him through on goal.
Pompey levelled 6 minutes later though as £6 million signing Nugent, who had come close to scoring twice before in the early stages, sidefooted in Arnold Mvuemba's cross.
Nugent turned provider for the 2nd as Lomana LuaLua latched onto his cross to score.
LuaLua was then heavily involved in Portsmouth's 3rd as his good work presented substitute Franck Songo'o with a chance to drill home from the edge of the box with 8 minutes to go.
Ricardo Vaz Te and Gary Speed were both on target as Bolton recorded a 2-1 triumph at Championship club Colchester.
The visitors found themselves a goal down in the 5th minute when former Charlton forward Kevin Lisbie was given too much space in the area and fired past Ali Al-Habsi.
That lead was shortlived though as Wanderers hit back with 2 goals in as many minutes.
Speed swept home the leveller from the penalty spot after Vaz Te was tumbled over by Mark Yeates, comfortably triumphing over Dean Gerken in the home goal.
First half goals from Stewart Downing and Yakubu gave Boro a 2-0 triumph over AZ Alkmaar.
Andrew Taylor, Julio Arca and Jeremie Aliadiere all combined to set up Downing and the England winger comprehensively beat visiting goalie Sergio Romero with a fierce left footed drive.
Boro's second, and clincher, came only 14 minutes later when Taylor's cross from the left found the head of Yakubu who powered his effort beyond Romero from 6 yards.
Long term injury absentee Dean Ashton was back on the scoresheet for The Hammers as they came from behind to beat Roma 2-1 at Upton Park.
The visitors had taken a 13th minute lead through Ludovic Giuly, before The Hammers equalised as George McCartney headed in Freddie Ljungberg's corner in the 63rd minute.
3 minutes later Alan Curbishley's side were in front as Ashton, who missed the whole of last season with an ankle injury, cut in from the right wing and fired in a shot from an acute angle.
Sunderland warmed up for their season opener against Spurs next week with an entertaining 1-1 draw with Juve.
Daryl Murphy gave Roy Keane's side the lead when he stabbed home after Ross Wallace's 7th minute corner was headed into the danger area by Dickson Etuhu.
Cristian Molinaro grabbed a deserved equaliser for the Italian side with 2 minutes left, the substitute smashing a powerful drive into the roof of the net.
Jason Koumas scored both goals as Wigan beat crisis club Leeds 2-1 in a pre season friendly at Elland Road.
Koumas put the Premier League side in front only a minute before the interval, slotting home after good work from Emile Heskey.
Jermaine Beckford equalised 10 minutes into the 2nd half however Koumas sealed win with a deflected free kick on 69 minutes.
Reading warmed up for the start of the season with a 3-2 win against Wolves at Molineux.
Seyi Olofinjana opened the scoring with a header from Gary Breen's 14th minute cross however Reading were level within 3 minutes through Stephen Hunt.
Bryn Gunnarsson then put Steve Coppell's side in front and Dave Kitson diverted home a shot from Hunt only seconds before the interval.
Jay Bothroyd pulled one back for Mick McCarthy's side 6 minutes from time.
Blackburn showed their Premier League class to comfortably see off Lancashire rivals Preston 3-0 at Deepdale.
Centre back Christopher Samba scored twice with fellow defender Andre Ooijer putting Rovers ahead in the 1st minute.
Steve Howard produced a late equaliser as Derby finished their pre season preparations with a lively 2-2 draw against UEFA Cup finalists Espanyol.
Marc Torrejon's own goal gave the Rams a 1-0 half time lead however Sergio Sanchez pulled the La Liga side level before Luis Garcia converted a controversial penalty.
Everton were held to a goalless draw by Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in their final pre season friendly.
Sheffield United forward Billy Sharp scored on his return to Bramall Lane to hand the Blades a 1-0 friendly triumph over Nottingham Forest.
The 21 year old learnt his trade in the United academy however was unable to break into the 1st team under Neil Warnock, who allowed him to leave for Scunthorpe in 2005.
Sharp's former team mates at Scunthorpe had to settle for a 1-1 draw in their Lincolnshire derby with Grimsby at Blundell Park as Andy Crosby opened the scoring for the Iron before having to leave the pitch.
And it was his replacement Andy Butler who scored an own goal to level for the League 2 side.
Southampton recorded a 1-0 triumph at Brentford thanks to Marek Saganowski's finish from Nathan Dyer's cross only after the interval.
Championship new boys Bristol City had to settle for a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth at Ashton Gate after twice falling behind. Brian Wilson and Louis Carey were the men to find the net for Gary Johnson's side.
Barnsley completed their pre season programme with a shock 2-0 defeat to Bury at Gigg Lane courtesy of goals from Richie Baker and Dave Challinor.
Blackpool, also looking forward to their Championship debut next weekend, crashed 2-1 at Carlisle.
David Fox gave the Seasiders the lead with a fabulous volley, however United hit back after the interval and goals from Chris Lumsdon and Danny Graham were enough to claim the win.
Hull rounded off pre season with a goalless draw against Belgian club Antwerp at KC Stadium.
Dagenham warmed up for their Football League bow next weekend with a 2-1 triumph over Fisher Athletic, Paul Benson and Jon Nurse finding the net.
Robbie Fowler made his 1st appearance for Cardiff in their 1-0 triumph over Dutch opponents Twente at Ninian Park.
The former Liverpool forward's debut lasted only 24 minutes, however, as he struggled to shake off the effects of a thigh injury suffered in training earlier this week.
Warren Feeney scored the only goal, smashing home from Trevor Sinclair's free-kick.
26 06 2007
Southampton manager George Burley expects to have completed the signing of forward Marek Saganowski by the end of the week.
Saints had the 28 year old Polish player on loan last season, and agreed a fee of £680,000 with French club Troyes for a permanent move a fortnight ago.
Other clubs that included Leicester have since expressed their interest in him, however Saints still hope to get their man.
"We are optimistic things are going ahead in the next few days," Burley informed BBC Radio Solent.
"We are very hopeful, and it will be a big bonus completing the Marek deal."
Saganowski spent the 2nd half of last season on loan at St Mary's, scoring 10 goals in 13 games.
Earlier this week, Leicester chairman Milan Mandaric informed the Mercury newspaper, "There are a number of clubs interested, I am lying in wait, Marek is a player I like."
25 06 2007
Leicester chairman Milan Mandaric said that he would like to sign highly rated forward Marek Saganowski.
The Polish forward, 28, has 2 years left on his deal with French club Troyes however they would think about selling him for a fee of around £700,000.
Saganowski who spent the 2nd half of last season on loan at St Mary's, scored 10 goals in 13 games.
Mandaric informed the Mercury, "There are a number of clubs interested, I am lying in wait, Marek is a player I like."
Earlier this month the French club's website stated that Southampton have exercised an option to buy Saganowski from Troyes for £680,000.
12 06 2007
Southampton manager George Burley would like to bring on-loan Liverpool midfielder Danny Guthrie back to St Mary's next season.
The 20 year old joined Saints in March and made an impressive contribution in his 10 appearances as Burley's side reached the Championship play-offs.
Burley informed the Southern Echo, "It is something we will be looking at in the summer. Danny did very well. I like Danny and it is something we will consider, naturally finance will come into play."
He added, "He's only 20 and has got potential. He came in and did well for us and we will look at it in the summer. At the moment he's not in the Liverpool 1st team team so there might be an opportunity there."
Saints are remaining tight-lipped over their other loanee, forward Marek Saganowski, who expects to tie up a permanent move from French club Troyes later this week.
10 06 2007
Southampton have exercised an option to buy Polish forward Marek Saganowski from Troyes fo £680,000, as stated by the French club's website.
Saganowski, 28, arrived on loan at St Mary's in January's transfer window, and propelled Saints to the play-offs with 10 goals in 13 appearances.
Saints negotiated a 1st-refusal option to make the loan permanent.
Several clubs have expressed interest in Saganowski, who previously mentioned he was keen to sign for Southampton.
07 06 2007
Southampton are leading Burnley in the race to sign Polish forward Marek Saganowski from French side Troyes on a permanent basis.
Saganowski finished the season on loan at Saints and manager George Burley said, "Talks are going very well. There was an option in the contract when we had taken him which we are looking to take over."
Burnley manager Steve Cotterill admitted, "There was contact however Southampton have 1st option to buy him."
