Arsenal stunned by Blackburn

Soccer Betting Lines

09/17/2011 - Blackburn, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Arsenal's poor start to the new Premiership campaign got worse on Saturday as the Gunners scored two own goals and missed a host of chances on their way to a 4-3 defeat against Blackburn at Ewood Park.

The visitors started brightly through Gervinho as he finished off a nice through ball from Alex Song, but Yakubu answered back for Rovers with his first goal for the club in the 25th minute.

Mikel Arteta restored Arsenal's lead with a powerful shot from Aaron Ramsey's pass that he slammed into the roof of the net before halftime, but Arsenal began to self destruct after the break.

Blackburn's equalizer came in the 50th minute on an own goal by Song as Ruben Rochina's free kick struck the midfielder's leg and found its way past goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.

The hosts then took their first lead of the contest from a corner kick as the ball fell to Steven Nzonzi at the back post. He drove a low cross toward the front of goal for Yakubu, who easily redirected it past Szczesny.

Things got worse for Arsenal in the 68th minute when Martin Olsson's long run allowed him to get near the end line on the right and attempt to pull the ball back. But his pass only got as far as Laurent Koscielny, who turned it into his own net.

The Gunners fought back and pulled to within a goal through Marouane Chamakh's header in the 85th minute, but they should have leveled the match in stoppage time when Per Mertesacker headed over the net from a few yards.

Arsenal has lost three of its last four games and owns just four points from five matches.

Aston Villa 1, Newcastle 1

Birmingham, England - Aston Villa and Newcastle both maintained their unbeaten start to the Premiership season as the two sides played to a 1-1 draw at Villa Park on Saturday.

Gabriel Agbonlahor put the home side in front after 13 minutes, but Leon Best tallied his third goal of the campaign early in the second half to pull Newcastle level.

Villa has now drawn four of its first five games this season, while the Magpies have claimed eight points from their last four contests.

Norwich City 2, Bolton 1

Bolton, England - Norwich City recorded its first win back in the top flight on Saturday at the Reebok Stadium, topping Bolton, 2-1.

The opening goal arrived after 37 minutes through Anthony Pilkington, with Bradley Johnson doubling the advantage shortly before halftime.

Ivan Klasnic was sent off in first-half stoppage time for Bolton, but Wanderers did manage to pull a goal back from the penalty spot through Martin Petrov. However, it wasn't enough to prevent the club from losing its fourth successive match.

Everton 3, Wigan 1

Liverpool, England - Late goals from Apostolos Vellios and Royston Drenthe propelled Everton to a 3-1 win over Wigan at Goodison Park on Saturday.

Franco Di Santo put the Latics in front on the half-hour mark, but Everton's Phil Jagielka canceled out the opener a few minutes later.

The game remained level until the 84th minute, when Vellios put the Toffees in front, while Drenthe added a third goal deep into stoppage time.

David Moyes has seen his side earn seven points from its last three games, while Wigan has lost back-to-back contests.

Swansea City 3, West Bromwich 0

Swansea, Wales - It was a day of firsts for Swansea City at Liberty Stadium on Saturday as the club not only scored its first goal of the season, but also recorded its first victory, topping West Bromwich, 3-0.

A successful penalty kick from Scott Sinclair gave the Swans a long-awaited goal, and Leroy Lita added a second 11 minutes later to give the home side a 2-0 lead at the break.

Nathan Dyer secured all three points with a goal early in the second half, leaving the Baggies with four defeats from five games this season.

QPR 3, Wolverhampton 0

Wolverhampton, England - Wolverhampton suffered its second successive loss on Saturday, losing 3-0 to QPR.

Joey Barton tallied his first goal for the London side after eight minutes, while Alejandro Faurlin added another goal two minutes later.

DJ Campbell's goal in the 87th minute wrapped up a disappointing day for Mick McCarthy's side, which has claimed just one point from its last three games after opening the season with two straight wins.