It's been a while since we had a first-day win, but after last season's terrible start - where we only got one point from something like the first seven away games - this was a particularly welcome one, that also allows us to enjoy being 3 points ahead of Man Utd, Chelsea and Arsenal, at least briefly (start as you mean to go on, eh?).
Focusing on our performance, however, I can't be entirely happy. While Torres looked suited to the English game, and showed some good touch and movement - even if one shot from an angle actually did go for a throw - and Babel's cameo was also promising, the same flaws remained - we struggled to finish this one off. It took an own goal just to give us the lead and then, when we should have been about 3-0 up, we end up conceding a silly equalizer from the penalty spot that could have cost us dear.
Of course, first game of the season players aren't at their sharpest, but we have to be more clinical in taking our chances. It reminded me too much of the frustrating 0-0 draw with 'Boro on the opening day of the season before last. What was welcome, however, was the response to conceding. I'd recently read someone say that if Man Utd or Chelsea need a goal in the last 5-10 minutes you always fancy them to get it. Well, today I didn't really expect us to - or, at least, not from a Gerrard free-kick (I'd just said to Rob I'd swap him for Danny Murphy come deadball situations). In fact, Stevie's Beckham-like free-kick (UPDATE: video clip) curled over the wall and into the top corner. If he can keep doing that, then there's really no need for England to worry about old 'Goldenballs' any more...
(I couldn't find a video yet, but these two - a long-range screamer and near-post corner - suggest Villa fans must really be hating Stevie by now...)
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