Premier League, Week 1: Manchester City crush Newcastle to close out weekend

Not that it matters -- Manchester City were up 3-0 at the time and went on to win 4-0 -- but this was astonishing. I can’t recall another time that I’ve seen a four-on-none and I’ve fairly certain that every three-on-none I’ve ever seen in my life has resulted in a goal.

City’s second came in the 22nd minute, through Agüero. Vincent Kompany helped to set up the goal by pushing forward over the halfway line and playing a pass forward to Džeko, who flicked backwards into the path of his strike partner with his first touch. Agüero only made a tiny bit of space, but didn’t need much to place a perfect shot to the far post and put City ahead 2-0.

While City’s win was easy, the game wasn’t all positive for them. Kompany picked up an injury in the 69th minute and seemed to know that he had more than a knock right when he went down. He punched the ground in anger and was instantly subbed off, with Javi Garcia replacing him.

• Wayne Rooney is the lonliest footballer

• La Liga’s big guns win openers

Manchester City injuries and suspensions

Out: None. In doubt: Matija Nastasić (ankle).

Kevin De Bruyne, who was making his Chelsea debut, set up the opener with a fantastic through ball to Oscar in the 13th minute. The Hull defense was caught flat-footed by de Bruyne’s pass and Oscar’s run, which was followed up by composed close-range finish.

Chelsea doubled their lead in the 25th minute through Lampard, who made up for his earlier miss with a stunning free kick. After James Chester took down Fernando Torres outside of the box, Lampard stepped up and hit a knuckling rocket that evaded the hand of McGregor and drifted into the top corner.

Frank Lampard is 35 years old. He was nearly allowed to leave Chelsea on a free transfer this summer despite his offers to take a pay cut to stay at the club. He was eventually re-signed because he’s a club legend and pretty good at football, but it dragged out for a bit because Chelsea weren’t sure if they wanted to give an old guy a new contract.

Jose Mourinho started Lampard in Chelsea’s season opener because Mourinho loves him, and probably also because Marco van Ginkel hasn’t quite established himself. Lampard missed a penalty in the early going, but made up for it with this absolute screamer of a free kick goal.

The hosts came out for the second half seemingly with more intent to play football and attack, and looked to put together a decent passage of play but couldn’t find a final ball. Just five minutes in, however, they relinquished an opportunity for Spurs to take the lead. After having one decent penalty shout turned down as Paulinho went down in the area, Lennon’s cross was then handballed by Dean Moxey, with Soldado stepping up to convert the penalty with ease, sending Speroni the wrong way from the spot.

Spurs continued to look for a goal to kill the game off, but almost suffered a sucker-punch when Phillips’ knock-back found the onrushing Kagisho Dikgacoi, but Hugo Lloris kept his concentration to save his goalbound effort. That proved to be the closest Palace came - Spurs had showed some familiar old problems, but in the end had enough in them to ensure a victory, albeit a narrow one.

Chelsea injuries and suspensions

Out: None In doubt: Frank Lampard (achilles), David Luiz (hamstring), Juan Mata (knock), André Schürrle (match fitness)

Spurs manager André Villas-Boas could hand debuts to club-record signing Roberto Soldado, Paulinho and Nacer Chadli, though this game may come too early for new defensive midfielder Étienne Capoue to be integrated into the first team.

Crystal Palace injuries and suspensions

Bony gave Swansea a slight glimmer of hope with a debut goal in the 82nd minute, capitalizing on a through ball from Hernandez following a giveaway by Welbeck, but Swansea failed to threaten again after that strike. In stoppage time, with Swansea pushing forward, Welbeck found a second goal. Rooney set him up with a turn and through ball, but the real class was in the finish, a brilliant chipped effort from Welbeck.

• Coverage of the Bundesliga weekend

Koscielny’s first yellow card -- which came on a foul that also resulted in a penalty -- was a controversial one. However, Aston Villa made the most of its opportunities and was in position to take points before anything remotely controversial occurred.

The game’s most controversial moment occurred in the 61st minute, when Koscielny was shown a yellow card for a tackle on Agbonlahor in the box. He got the ball and none of Agbonlahor with his front foot and his challenge was not a dangerous one, but his trailing leg caught the back of Agbonlahor’s leg. Benteke only needed one shot on this occasion and scored from the spot to put Arsenal up 2-1.

Cabral had an eventful game, and at least could not be accused of going missing, being involved in conceding several free-kicks as well as having a few missed opportunities. His closest being in the opening minutes as he blazed wide from the lively Emmanuele Giaccherini’s cross after the former Juventus man jinked his way down the wing.

The rest of the half was frustrating for the hosts as Sunderland struggled to create any more clear chances despite showing plenty of attacking intent on the ball. Altidore had the best chance after he evaded several challenges in the Fulham area, but his finish couldn’t live up to his strong play, and Stekelenburg made the save easily.

It was a rough introduction to the Premier League for the yellow-card red Bluebirds of Cardiff City. Although the newcomers spent heavily in their quest to avoid relegation, they’re still far from a coherent unit, and they were beaten 2-0 by West Ham at Upton Park in their opening game of the season.

A goal was coming, so it was no surprise when Cole converted with 13 minutes on the clock. Jarvis found the byline and cut the ball back into center, where Cole managed to hold off Steven Caulker and fire in a shot on the turn. David Marshall was well beaten as the ball scampered into the bottom corner.

It was all Everton early as the Toffees had possession often and showed off the fluid passing style which Martinez had them working on in the preseason. Norwich stayed organized and absorbed the pressure and Everton lacked the final pass or quick movement needed to break through.

By the 20 minute mark, it was all Norwich as it pinned Everton back and used its attacking speed to get the defense on the heels and out of position.

The second half featured fewer chances for the Saints, with West Brom improving considerably in midfield after the break. Southampton looked dangerous throughout the first half, but never looked too close to scoring in the second, while its possession numbers dropped.

Neither team was boring or conservative in the second half, but they didn’t create much in the way of clear chances until the very end of the game. West Brom looked to be taking control as the half wore on until the 89th minute, when the Saints won a penalty.

Norwich and Chris Hughton will be looking to build on their 11th place finish last season. New signing Ricky van Wolfswinkel makes his debut for the club after joining from Sporting Lisbon where he was a prolific goal scorer.

• Metalist Kharkiv banned from Champions League

The 2013-14 Premier League season opened with a flourish as Liverpool and Stoke played out an entertaining game that would have been far higher scoring if not for some excellent saves from both goalkeepers.

Stoke were unable to relieve the pressure, and it cost them, as Liverpool took the lead not long after. Sturridge picked up the ball outside the area and hit a low, powerful drive with his left foot that went between Huth’s legs and out of the reach of Begovic. Yet the Potters almost equalised immediately, Mignolet showing his fine shot-stopping ability to keep the scores level by tipping Jonathan Walters’ curling effort round the post after a loose ball had fallen to the Irishman outside the area.

Villa have inserted new signing Antonio Luna into the starting XI straight away, but their other newly acquired young stars are going to have to wait for their first start in a Villa shirt.

Kickoff is at 3 p.m. local time, 10 a.m. ET. You can catch the game on NBC Sports Network in the U.S.

For United, defender Rafael is suffering with a hamstring injury sustained in the Community Shield win over Wigan. He’s out even if he recovers, as he’s suspended for the opening game of the season. Winger Nani picked up a groin injury in a pre-season friendly against AIK Solna and is doubtful, though new arrival Wilfried Zaha -- who has been one of the stars of a patchy pre-season -- should make his Premier League debut.

Out: Jonathan De Guzman (concussion). In doubt: None.

Arsenal injuries and suspensions

Out: Thomas Vermaelen (back), Abou Diaby (knee), Mikel Arteta (thigh). In doubt: Nacho Monreal (back), Aaron Ramsey (ankle), Yaya Sanogo (hamstring)

Liverpool injuries and suspensions

Out: Luis Suárez (suspended). In doubt: Daniel Agger (knee), Martin Skrtel (knock).