Premier League round-up:Paul Scholes scored on his 700th Manchester Unitedappearance and Alexander Buttner and Nick Powell netted on their debuts in a 4-0 Premier League win over Wiganat Old Trafford.
Veteran midfielder Scholes converted from close range in the 51st minute before Mexican striker Javier Hernandez added United’s second from Buttner’s assist 12 minutes later.
Dutch defender Buttner, signed last month from Vitesse Arnhem, extended the lead with an impressive solo effort in the 66th minute, and Powell, a summer arrival from Crewe, added a fourth in the 82nd minute having come off the bench.
The hosts had been controversially awarded an early penalty when Ali Al Habsi was judged to have fouled Danny Welbeck, with justice seeming to be done as the Oman shot-stopper kept out Hernandez’s attempt from the spot.
United's win takes them up to second in the table on nine points, one point behind leaders Chelsea, whose 100 per cent start to the league campaign came to an end as they drew 0-0 at QPR.
There had been considerable focus on what would happen before kick-off at Loftus Road, with Hoops defender Anton Ferdinand rejecting the offer of John Terry and Ashley Cole’s outstretched hands at the pre-match handshake.
Elsewhere, Arsenalbeat Southampton6-1 at the Emirates Stadium. They had three points effectively sewn up at the interval, as own goals from Jos Hooiveld and Nathaniel Clyne and strikes by Lukas Podolski and Gervinho handed the Gunners a commanding lead before Danny Fox pulled one back.
Gervinho and Theo Walcott, playing against his old club, netted in the second half to complete the rout as the hosts extended their unbeaten start to the season to four league games, moving up to third, a point behind United.
ManchesterCity are level on points with Arsenal in fourth after their 1-1 draw with Stokeat the Britannia Stadium.
The defending champions have struggled away against the Potters in recent years and fell behind in the 15th minute this time, as Peter Crouch, scorer of a memorable strike in this fixture last term, showing good footwork before finishing past Joe Hart though he appeared to handle in the build-up.
The visitors made it 1-1 in the 35th minute as midfielder Javi Garcia, one of three players on debut for City, headed in from Carlos Tevez’s cross.
Michael Owen came on to make his debut for Stoke, who were clinging on at the end as goalkeeper Asmir Begovic made a stunning save to deny Garcia and Potters captain Ryan Shawcross cleared an Edin Dzeko effort off the line.
Dimitar Berbatov marked his first start and home debut for Fulhamwith two first-half goals, one from the penalty spot, to put them firmly in the driving seat in their home game against West Brom.
The Baggies were reduced to 10 men between Berbatov’s goals when Peter Odemwingie was shown a straight red card for lashing out at Sascha Riether.
Steve Sidwell completed the Cottagers' 3-0 triumph with a follow-up strike with a minute from time, reacting when Hugo Rodallega hit the bar.
Aston Villasecured their first league win of the season, defeating Swansea2-0 at home. Summer signing Matthew Lowton opened his Villa account with a volley just after the quarter-hour mark and another new arrival, Christian Benteke, also got off the mark by netting in the 88th minute having been introduced as a substitute to make his debut.
In the lunchtime kick-off, Norwichand West Hamplayed out a 0-0 draw at Carrow Road.
And in the late game Luis Suarez snatched just a second point of the season for Liverpoolas they drew 1-1 at Sunderland.
The Uruguayan, who had earlier been booked for diving, struck 19 minutes from time to cancel out Steven Fletcher's first-half opener and give manager Brendan Rodgers a little breathing space after the club's worst start to a season in half-a-century.
