Premier League on Betfair: Nightmare start for Van Gaal as Swansea spoil United's party

It was a debut to forget for Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford this afternoon

Luke Moore rounds up the weekend's Premier League action as the country's top flight kicked off again for the season...

It was a debut to forget for new Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal as his injury-ravaged side went down 1-2 against a plucky Swansea at Old Trafford this afternoon. Garry Monk's team didn't read the script and what started off as a joyous unveiling of a world class, top level manager ended in a nightmare for the United faithful.

Ki Sung-Yueng took advantage of a United midfield that were caught napping to stroke home from the edge of the box after a nice move from the Welsh side. He was matched at a huge 90.089/1 to open the scoring and Swansea managed to ride out the rest of the half and go into the break 0-1 up.

Wayne Rooney didn't take long to level things however, his close-range overhead kick made it 1-1 and United briefly looked more likely after a formation change, forcing Monk's men to weather that famous United attacking storm. The game was turned on its head though when new signing Gylfi Sigurdsson scored on his second debut for the Swans, who were then able to see the game out and secure a famous win at Old Trafford. Manchester United now find themselves a big 9.617/2 to lift this year's Premier League trophy. 

It was a mixed opening day for the promoted teams in action today; Leicester drew 2-2 against Everton at the King Power Stadium, and big-money signing Leonardo Ulloa was able to open his account with a nicely taken goal, but QPR lost 0-1 at Loftus Road against Hull thanks to a James Chester strike. Rangers even had a chance to put things right after they were awarded a penalty, but Allan McGregor saved well from Charlie Austin and the Hoops now find themselves 2.962/1 for the dreaded drop. Leicester's price for relegation remains largely unchanged at 3.39/4.

Elsewhere in the Premier League, it was an impressive start for Aston Villa who managed a 0-1 win over Stoke at the Britannia Stadium thanks to a Andreas Weimann goal, West Brom duked out a 2-2 draw with Sunderland at the Hawthorns and Spurs' visit to West Ham ended 0-1 with both teams having a man sent off - Kyle Naughton for a handball denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity and James Collins for the home side thanks to two bookings. Eric Dier scored the winner on his debut, a goal that was matched at a massive 65.064/1 in the First Goalscorer market.

In the evening kick-off Arsenal were matched at a high of 6.05/1 to win the game as they came from a goal down to beat manager-less Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium. The 2-1 Correct Score was matched at 13.012/1.

Brede Hangeland - matched at 90.089/1 in the First Goalscorer market - gave the Eagles a surprise lead but on the stroke of half time Laurent Koscielny equalised for the Gunners. And just as it looked like the game would end all square last season's Arsenal player of the season, Aaron Ramsey, pounced from close range to give Arsene Wenger's men a winning start.

Moving forward to Sunday's games, and Liverpool opened proceedings with a narrow 2-1 win over Southampton at Anfield, a result that was matched at 11.010/1 in the Correct Score market. Goals courtesy of Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge ensured the Reds clinched the win and Brendan Rodgers men are now 14.5n/a to go one better than last season and lift the Premier League title.

In the day's second game, Manchester City overcame Newcastle 0-2 at St James's Park, but the Magpies can consider themselves unlucky to not at least get on the scoresheet after creating numerous chances that they couldn't take. David Silva opened the scoring, and he was matched at 16.015/1 in the First Goalscorer market on Betfair's Exchange. Sergio Aguero came off the bench to secure the points for City, who are now 3.3512/5 second-favourites to defend their league crown.