Reigning champions Manchester United were held to a 1-1 draw by an impressive Newcastle United in their opening match of the Premier League season at Old Trafford.
United, missing Carlos Tevez for family reasons as well as the injured Cristiano Ronaldo and Owen Hargreaves, were fell behind when Newcastle took a surprise lead when the unmarked Obafemi Martins powered home a header in the 22nd minute.
The champions levelled only two minutes later when Darren Fletcher converted a Ryan Giggs cross.
In contrast, Chelsea gave their new Brazilian coach Luiz Felipe Scolari the perfect start as they overcame Portsmouth 4-0 at Stamford Bridge.
Joe Cole, Nicolas Anelka, Frank Lampard and Deco all netted as the Blues made it 83 matches without defeat at home.
The Blues were in front inside 12 minutes when Joe Cole fired past David James following an excellent pass from Michael Ballack.
Nicolas Anelka then headed home from close range in the 26th minute and Frank Lampard made it 3-0 from the penalty spot in first-half injury-time after Sylvain Distin was harshly judged to have handled a cross from Cole.
Man-of-the-match Deco marked his splendid Premier League debut with a powerful long-range goal from 25 metres only a minute from time.
United, missing Carlos Tevez for family reasons as well as the injured Cristiano Ronaldo and Owen Hargreaves, were fell behind when Newcastle took a surprise lead when the unmarked Obafemi Martins powered home a header in the 22nd minute.
The champions levelled only two minutes later when Darren Fletcher converted a Ryan Giggs cross.
In contrast, Chelsea gave their new Brazilian coach Luiz Felipe Scolari the perfect start as they overcame Portsmouth 4-0 at Stamford Bridge.
Joe Cole, Nicolas Anelka, Frank Lampard and Deco all netted as the Blues made it 83 matches without defeat at home.
The Blues were in front inside 12 minutes when Joe Cole fired past David James following an excellent pass from Michael Ballack.
Nicolas Anelka then headed home from close range in the 26th minute and Frank Lampard made it 3-0 from the penalty spot in first-half injury-time after Sylvain Distin was harshly judged to have handled a cross from Cole.
Man-of-the-match Deco marked his splendid Premier League debut with a powerful long-range goal from 25 metres only a minute from time.
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