Chelsea to kick off title defence against Man. City

Chelsea will kick off the defence of their English Premier League title at home to Manchester City on August 19.

Runners-up Manchester United host Fulham at Old Trafford while FA Cup winners Liverpool must travel to promoted Sheffield United in the opening fixtures for the new season announced yesterday.

Aston Villa will be the first league visitors to Arsenal's new Emirates Stadium.

Newly-promoted Watford and Reading will play away to Everton and at home to Middlesbrough respectively.

Newcastle, resigned to starting the season without their injured Michael Owen, start the season at home to Wigan.

Iain Dowie's first fixture as Charlton Athletic manager takes him back to FA Cup runners-up West Ham, the club he played for as a striker.

Fixtures

August 19: Sheffield United vs Liverpool, West Ham vs Charlton, Arsenal vs Aston Villa, Bolton vs Tottenham, Chelsea vs Manchester City, Everton vs Watford, Manchester United vs Fulham, Newcastle vs Wigan, Portsmouth vs Blackburn, Reading vs Middlesbrough.

August 22: Watford vs West Ham, Wigan vs Arsenal, Charlton vs Manchester United, Middlesbrough vs Chelsea, Tottenham vs Sheffield United.

August 23: Fulham vs Bolton, Liverpool vs Newcastle, Manchester City vs Portsmouth, Aston Villa vs Reading, Blackburn vs Everton.

August 26: Tottenham vs Everton, Watford vs Manchester United, Wigan vs Reading, Aston Villa vs Newcastle, Blackburn vs Chelsea, Charlton vs Bolton, Fulham vs Sheffield United, Liverpool vs West Ham, Manchester City vs Arsenal, Middlesbrough vs Portsmouth.