Relegation favourites Bolton have unbelievably beaten last year's strong starters Leicester 5-0. Kevin Nolan scored the first goal in this year's Premiership after 15 minutes. Michael Ricketts added another after 32 minutes before Nolan grabbed his second. Per Frandsen, who had twice set up Nolan, smashed in an unstoppable 18-yard free-kick on the stroke of half-time for Bolton's fourth. The second half could not live up to the opening period, but Leicester could not manage to threaten the Bolton goal despite manager Peter Taylor making a triple substitution at half-time. Frandsen added a late second from another set piece. Ominously, the Foxes boss left for the dressing room at the end of the game with chants of "Taylor Out" ringing in his ears.
England striker Kevin Phillips scored the only goal as Sunderland beat Ipswich at the Stadium of Light. Phillips grabbed the winner from the penalty spot seven minutes before the break after Gavin McCann was bowled over by Titus Bramble. French striker Lilian Laslandes was chosen ahead of Niall Quinn to partner Phillips in the Sunderland attack. Last season's surprise package Ipswich sported a new look side, but although Pablo Couango came close in the second half, the UEFA Cup contenders could not manage to score.
Fabrizio Ravanelli scored a 20-yard free-kick in first half injury time to put Derby on their way to spoil Blackburn's return to the Premiership with a 2-1 victory. Scotsmen Duncan Ferguson and David Weir got the goals as Everton came from behind to beat Charlton 2-1 at The Valley.
Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa finished scoreless at White Hart Lane. Former Spurs star David Ginola came on in the 62nd minute to jeers of "fat boy" from Villa supporters, but his late 25-yarder was their only shot on target in the whole game. Tottenham, already without new captain Teddy Sheringham, lost stand-in skipper Les Ferdinand with a knee injury after less than 20 minutes. Spurs had some good chances to take the points, and Gary Doherty went close late on, but it was a game which was always destined to remain without goals.
Filed by Greg McKevitt
