The first weekend of matches in England's Premier league has come to an end with a few surprises and a few familiar stories.

Champions Manchester United started with a victory and three points but potential rivals 潛在的對手 Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal could only manage draws.

Arsenal found themselves frustrated by a Newcastle side and their own apparent unwillingness to shoot at goal. They dominated possession 控制比賽局勢，占上風(fēng) for long periods of the match but lacked the killer instinct 沒有像殺手般敏銳的直覺 in the final-third 在禁區(qū)附近。

Their cause wasn't helped by the sending off of new signing Gervinho. After falling over in the box in an attempt to win a penalty he was hauled to his feet 從地上被拽起來 by an irate 發(fā)怒的 Joey Barton. The combative 好斗的 Newcastle midfielder was incensed 被激怒了 at what he took to be a blatant dive 再明顯不過的假摔動作。 This led to a fracas 吵鬧 during which Gervinho lightly slapped 打耳光 Barton on the face. Barton fell to the ground, holding his head as if he had been seriously injured.

The referee showed Gervinho a straight red 直接一張紅牌，a decision which puzzled Arsenal boss, Arsene Wenger.

"I don't understand the red card," said Wenger. "I am 100% sure the referee did not see what happened.

"I think he has his back turned to the incident. If he had seen it, he would have sent both of them off, or nobody."

Joey Barton was booked for his part in the altercation 爭辯 and later said:

"I shouldn't have lifted Gervinho up by his shirt and that's not the correct thing to do."

He also went on to comment about his reaction to being slapped:

"I've been hit harder by people at school but that doesn't make what he did right or wrong."

There may yet be further repercussions 后果 related to this incident, but one thing is for sure, the 2011 / 12 season has started if not with a bang, then at least with a slap.