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Sven-Goran Eriksson made a winning start to Premier League management as Manchester City won 2-0 at West Ham, while Newcastle United, Blackburn Rovers and Everton all claimed victories.

 Liverpool paraded their record 26.5 million-pound (54-million- dollar) signing Fernando Torres in their starting line-up at Villa Park but they needed Gerrard's heroics to seal all three points.

 An own goal from Martin Laursen gave Liverpool the lead on the half-hour mark after Torres's shot had been well saved but Villa equalized six minutes from time when Gareth Barry scored from the penalty spot after Jamie Carragher had handled the ball.

 But a minute later, a foul on Gerrard 30 yards out gave Liverpool a free-kick and the captain then curled a superb strike into the top right corner to seal the win.

 At the Stadium of Light, Tottenham's record-signing Darren Bent was left on the bench as Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane renewed their successful partnership of last season.

 Sunderland gave debuts to 9 million-pound signing (18.1 million dollars) goalkeeper Craig Gordon, while Kieran Richardson, Paul McShane and Dickson Etuhu also enjoyed their first starts for Roy Keane's side.

 But it was another substitute, former Newcastle striker Mihael Chopra, who was well found by a cross from Ross Wallace before slotting the ball past Paul Robinson into the corner to send the home fans wild.

 "It's a great start to the season for us," Sunderland manager Roy Keane said. "The players did fantastically well and they showed great desire to win the game so late on for us.

 "The whole group of players deserve a lot of credit. It's always nice to get points on the board."

   At Upton Park, former England coach Sven Goran Eriksson saw his side claim a 2-0 win over West Ham United.

 New signings Rolando Bianchi (18) and Geovanni (87) made sure of the points for City and though West Ham huffed and puffed, Kasper Schmeichel was relatively untroubled in the visitors' goal.

 "We played really good football at times, not for the whole 90 minutes, but at first and then for the last 15-20 minutes," Eriksson said.

 "It was a good win today and I am very happy."

   Sam Allardyce returned to his former side Bolton and came away with all three points as Newcastle United earned a 3-1 victory.

 Obafemi Martins scored twice - one deflected - after Charles N'Zogbia's free-kick from the right wing found its way past all the defenders and into the Bolton goal.

 "The application by the players was terrific and I think that the quality of the finishing was the difference between the two teams," Allardyce said.

 "I'm not sure what level these players are at yet but they are starting to hit a standard I don't want them to drop."

   A diving header from Andy Todd six minutes from time gave new boys Derby County a 2-2 draw at home to Portsmouth, while Matt Derbyshire scored the winner as Blackburn won 2-1 at Middlesbrough and Everton beat Wigan Athletic 2-1.

 Champions Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal all begin their title campaigns on Sunday.

DPA