Osman stike makes Wigan Suffer
Wigan's starting XI was vastly different from the one that survived a nail-biting final day last season when victory over Sheffield United.
It was Granqvist and Bramble's first competitive outing as a centre-half pairing and for the first 25 minutes they looked comfortable, as Everton sent a series of high balls down the middle. When the home side at last used a bit of width, disaster ensued, sadly in the all too familiar form of Bramble, the long-time butt of the derision of Newcastle United fans.
It was Everton who finished the stronger, with Johnson denied by an excellent Kirkland save.
The Sun
Everton 2 Wigan 1
Victor Anichibe's goal handed Everton an opening day victory against battling Wigan.
The Latics pulled a late goal back through substitute Antoine Sibierkski but Everton held on to claim the points.
Toffees boss David Moyes was delighted to see his side make a positive start to the season.
He said: "We did the job and our play merited more goals than we scored. At 2-0 I felt it could go to 3-0 rather than them scoring. Apart from the few minutes after their goal, I felt we were pretty comfortable."
Mail on Sunday
Five star Arteta can leave Ronaldo in his tracks
In his role as makeshift left back, Kevin Kilbane was on the receiving end and he backed Arteta's artistry to emerge as one of the season's talking points.
"This is the season in which he could go on to become one of the stars of the Premiership," said the former Everton midfielder.
Wigan's plight is apparently hopeless if pre-season forecasts are anything to go by, but there were signs that Jason Koumas could help defy the odds.
"Jason has fantastic ability and the selfbelief to be a success at this level," said manager Chris Hutchings.
The Independent
Arteta's artistry paints ominous picture for Wigan
Everton have been criticised for failing to build on their sixth-placed finish with any serious transfer activity but perhaps the answer to their dreams lies closer to home. Mikel Arteta, the club's player of the year for the last two seasons, gave another masterclass at Goodison to suggest his signing of an improved five-year deal this summer was the shrewdest piece of business manager David Moyes could have done.
The Spanish midfielder was at the heart of most of his team's best football to send Evertonians away happy. Thirty years after Elvis' death, the blue hordes might opt for You Gotta Believe as their theme. For Wigan, Way Down might be more apt.
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