Man United begin with a win

MANCHESTER, AUGUST 21: Ronny Johnsen and Andy Cole struck the goals as Manchester United began the defence of its Premier League title wit...

MANCHESTER, AUGUST 21: Ronny Johnsen and Andy Cole struck the goals as Manchester United began the defence of its Premier League title with an impressive 2-0 victory over Bobby Robson8217;s Newcastle on Sunday.

There had been signs in pre-season that the Reds, titlists in six of the last eight seasons, might not be as strong as last season, when they triumphed by a record 18 points. But there were few weaknesses at Old Trafford on Sunday when Alex Ferguson8217;s team created many scoring chances against the Magpies.

The biggest Old Trafford crowd since World War II 67,477 included West Indian cricket stars Brian Lara and Curtly Ambrose, who had the day off because their test match loss to England lasted only two days. Lara is a close friend of Manchester United8217;s Dwight Yorke.

Norwegian centreback Johnsen, who missed most of last season through injury, scored his team8217;s first of the campaign in the 20th minute with a header from a David Beckham corner.

But the second goal didn8217;t come until the 70th minute when Cole swapped passes with the constantly dangerous Giggs and fired past Given for his ninth goal against the Magpies since he left them to join the Reds five years ago.

In Saturday8217;s games, Chelsea beat West Ham 4-2, Arsenal lost 1-0 at Sunderland, Liverpool edged Bradford 1-0, Leeds downed Everton 2-0, Middlesbrough won 3-1 at Coventry, Tottenham downed promoted Ipswich 3-1, Leicester and Aston Villa tied 0-0, Charlton crushed fellow promoted team Manchester City 4-0 and Derby and Southampton tied 2-2.

Mario Stanic scored twice one a stunning volley from 25 yards on his debut for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink also hit the target on his first league game for the Blues and the other came from a Gianfranco Zola free kick.

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Arsenal8217;s French midfielder Patrick Vieira was ejected near the end of game at Sunderland where Niall Quinn punished a blunder by goalkeeper David Seaman for the only goal.

Croatian striker Alen Boksic scored twice on his debut and had a goal disallowed in Middlesbrough8217;s win at Coventry, Emile Heskey scored Liverpool8217;s match winner against Bradford and Alan Smith netted both Leeds goals against the Toffees.