Premier League review:An Emmanuel Adebayor hat-trick after a Robin van Persie opener helped Arsenal to a 4-0 win over Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park this afternoon, as Newcastle's troubles deepened with a 2-1 home defeat to new arrivals Hull City.
Van Persie put the Gunners ahead after just eight minutes following good work by England hat-trick hero Theo Walcott and Adebayor added a second on the stroke of half-time.
Adebayor claimed his second from the penalty spot after Stephen Warnock fouled Emmanuel Eboue and then wrapped up the scoring in the last minute when he rounded Paul Robinson.
Marlon King struck twice as Hull piled on the misery for managerless Newcastle by claiming a 2-1 win at St James' Park.
The Magpies, in their first outing since Kevin Keegan's acrimonious departure as manager, dominated early on with Michael Owen forcing a good save from Boaz Myhill.
But Nicky Butt's foul on Peter Halmosi allowed King to score from the penaltyspot on 34 minutes and the on-loan Wigan striker broke clear to add a second after the break.
Newcastle were lucky when Michael Turner had a potential third ruled out for a push and then pulled one back when debutant Xisco tapped in.
With Newcastle's Danny Guthrie sent off late on for hacking at Craig Fagan, Hull held on.
Gianfranco Zola's reign as West Ham manager got off to a losing start as his side were beaten 3-2 by West Brom at The Hawthorns.
Chris Brunt claimed the winner seven minutes from time after four goals had been shared in the first half.
James Morrison opened the scoring when he headed in a cross from Borja Valero after just three minutes but Mark Noble pounced on a rebound to equalise after 29 minutes.
Lucas Neill put the Hammers ahead 10 minutes before the break but West Brom levelled before the break with a Roman Bednar penalty after Rob Green fouled Leon Barnett.
Jermain Defoe inspired Portsmouth's fightback as they came from behind to beat Middlesbrough 2-1 at Fratton Park.
The hosts had trailed at the break after Mido had continued his fine start to the season by netting his fourth goal in five games after 24 minutes.
But Defoe drilled in an equaliser just before the hour and Pompey were rewarded for a stronger second-half showing as the England man beat the offside trap to fire a late winner.
Fulham held on to see off Bolton 2-1 at Craven Cottage after goals from Zoltan Gera and Bobby Zamora.
Gera opened the scoring after 15 minutes when Jlloyd Samuel's header fell to the Hungarian and Zamora doubled the advantage four minutes before the interval.
Summer signing Amr Zaki hit his fourth league goal as Wigan claimed a 1-1 draw against Sunderland at the JJB Stadium.
Titus Bramble headed into his own net to put Sunderland 1-0 ahead but the Latics responded well after the break.
Zaki hit the post before finally getting a deserved equaliser but the hosts had to hold on after Lee Cattermole was sent off.
