Stuttering Arsenal and Liverpool both came back from a goal down to salvage 1-1 draws as the English Premiership returned with a bang on Saturday.
The two title hopefuls had the chance to send a message to champions Chelsea, who start their campaign Sunday, but the Blues would have seen nothing to suggest they cannot make it three titles in a row this season.
In their first Premiership match at their new Emirates Stadium, Arsenal drew with Aston Villa, while Liverpool had to rely on a highly dubious penalty to rescue a point at newly-promoted Sheffield United.
Elsewhere, Championship winners Reading pulled off a magnificent comeback to beat Middlesbrough 3-2, Newcastle defeated Wigan 2-1 and Portsmouth beat Blackburn 3-0 at home to go top of the first Premiership table.
Villa's Sweden defender Olof Mellberg headed the first Premiership goal at the Emirates Stadium to leave the hosts stunned.
The Villains had a chaotic pre-season dominated by manager David O'Leary's departure and takeover bids for the Birmingham sleeping giants.
But new manager Martin O'Neill seems to have steadied the ship and Arsenal needed a desperate fight back to rescue a point.
Mellberg rose and powerfully converted a free kick in the 53rd minute.
The Gunners' teenage starlet Theo Walcott, controversially included in England's World Cup squad, made his first Arsenal appearance from the bench.
But the striker could not salvage the situation as Arsenal piled on the pressure.
Midfielder Gilberto equalised in the 84th from the far post, hammering the ball past Villa goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen.
Liverpool, who also have designs on winning the title, were only saved from the embarrassment of an opening day defeat at Bramall Lane thanks to a curious penalty decision.
The Reds were guilty of slack marking just after the interval when Rob Hulse was left unmarked to head a shock goal for the hosts - the first in the Premiership this season in the early kick-off match.
But when Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard stumbled in the box, referee Rob Styles awarded a penalty and Robbie Fowler scored with ease from the spot.
In their first match in the top flight, Reading pulled off a stunning comeback against last season's beaten UEFA Cup finalists Middlesbrough at the Madejski Stadium.
Stuart Downing, who played well in England's 4-0 win over Greece on Wednesday on his first international start, put the visitors ahead after 11 minutes and Yakubu scored from a loose ball 10 minutes later.
But Reading fought back and the impressive South Korea winger Seol Ki-Hyeon, the Royals' major pre-season signing, set up Dave Kitson to score two minutes before the break and Steve Sidwell equalised a minute later.
Leroy Lita scored in the 55th minute to hand Reading an impressive start to life in the Premiership.
Portsmouth beat visitors Blackburn 3-0 at Fratton Park, with Nigerian international Nwankwo Kanu, who only joined the south coast club on Thursday, scoring two late goals in a keenly-fought match.
England internationals David James, Sol Campbell and Glen Johnson made their debuts for Harry Redknapp's side, which took the lead through Bulgaria striker Svetoslav Todorov in the 26th minute.
Kanu added two more in the 62nd and 84th minutes to give Pompey fans hope that this season may be more than just another exercise in avoiding relegation.
Blackburn's Australia defender Lucas Neill was sent off for two yellow cards.
Newcastle, still desperately seeking a striker to fill in for the retired Alan Shearer and the injured Michael Owen, beat Wigan 2-1 thanks to a rare goal from captain Scott Parker and a tap-in from stand-in striker Shola Ameobi.
Parker scored in the 38th minute but Lee McCulloch equalised for the Latics, who are looking to consolidate their place in the Premiership after last season's debut appearance.
But Ameobi won the match, pouncing to knock in a rebound in the 64th minute.
Everton beat visitors Watford 2-1 at Goodison Park.
The Toffees' first came thanks to some encouraging link-up play between their strikers, James Beattie and Andy Johnson, their main pre-season signing.
England international Johnson scored in the 15th minute of his Toffees debut, suggesting that he and Beattie could form an impressive partnership.
Watford, promoted via the Championship play-offs, dominated late on in the second half but could not rescue a point.
Instead, Mikel Arteta scored an 82nd-minute penalty for Everton, meaning a last-minute goal from new signing Damien Francis was a mere consolation.
West Ham came back from a goal down to beat Charlton 3-1 in a London derby at Upton Park.
England international striker Darren Bent scored from the penalty spot in the 15th minute for the southeast London side.
However, Bobby Zamora scored in the 52nd and 66th minutes before new signing Carlton Cole added a last-minute third for the east Londoners.
Bolton host UEFA Cup side Tottenham in Saturday's final match.
Chelsea kick off their attempt at a third straight title at home to Manchester City on Sunday, though Germany captain Michael Ballack, one of their two stellar new recruits alongside Ukraine striker Andriy Shevchenko, is ruled out with a hip injury.
Also Sunday, Manchester United take on Fulham and Red Devils fans will not be encouraged that they can improve on last season's second-placed finish if they fail to match the champions' points haul so early on.