Gardner denies City as striker trio score on their debuts

Craig Gardner was Birmingham’s hero for the second time in a week as he dealt a blow to Manchester City’s outside title hopes at St Andrew’s.

Gardner had scored the goal which earned Alex McLeish’s side victory over West Ham in the Carling Cup semi-final and followed that up with a late equaliser from the penalty spot as his side salvaged a precious point.

The visitors twice led through Carlos Tevez and Aleksandar Kolarov but were pegged back by Nikola Zigic and then Gardner’s sixth goal of the campaign.

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It means they are now eight points adrift of Barclays Premier League leaders Manchester United and have played a game more.

New Liverpool signing Luis Suarez scored on his debut to consign Fernando Torres to the Anfield history books as he helped secure a 2-0 win at home to Stoke.

The Uruguay international had a fairytale start to his career as the Reds’ new No 7 as, within 17 minutes of coming on as a second half substitute he had opened his account.

Prior to that Raul Meireles had drilled home his third goal in four matches.

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Daniel Sturridge also marked his Bolton debut with a goal, his stoppage-time strike against Wolves handing the Trotters a first victory in six Premier League games.

It looked like visiting goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey would leave Bolton frustrated with a series of a fine saves, but a woeful backpass from Ronald Zubar presented on-loan Chelsea striker Sturridge with a chance he could not miss.

Moments earlier, Kevin Doyle had seen his shot deflected onto a post while Matt Jarvis also missed a glorious chance for Wolves, who dropped below West Ham to the foot of the table after the Hammers’ 3-1 win at Blackpool.

Robbie Keane struck a debut goal and Victor Obinna hit two more.

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The three first-half goals proved enough to see off a spirited Blackpool side in an entertaining encounter at Bloomfield Road.

Charlie Adam gave the hosts hope by scoring directly from a corner just before the break and Neal Eardley hit a post, but the Hammers held on.

Damien Duff twisted the knife into his former club Newcastle United after their striker misery deepened last night at Fulham.

Winger Duff netted his first league goal for almost a year to settle a tight affair and further ease the in-form Cottagers’ relegation fears.

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It was, though, another night to forget for Newcastle, who lost Shola Ameobi to a suspected fractured cheekbone just 13 minutes in, less than 48 hours after selling star striker Andy Carroll to Liverpool.