Rooney returns to sink Palace
Wayne Rooney returned to give Manchester United manager David Moyes his first win at Old Trafford as the champions beat Crystal Palace 2-0, while Mesut Ozil marked his debut by inspiring Arsenal to a 3-1 triumph at Sunderland Saturday.
Rooney had missed United’s defeat at Liverpool and England’s World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine after suffering a gashed head in a training ground collision with team-mate Phil Jones.
But, wearing a black headband to protect the damaged area, Rooney marked his return to action with his first goal of the season in the 81st minute.
Robin van Persie had struck from the spot to give United the lead in first-half stoppage-time after Palace’s South African midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi was sent off for fouling Ashley Young.
Moyes sent on Belgian midfielder Marouane Fellaini for his United debut in the 61st minute following his £27.5 million ($43.7m) move from Everton on transfer deadline day. With Alex Ferguson watching from the stands for the first time since his retirement, United sealed their first win in three league games — and Moyes’ first on home soil since his arrival as Ferguson’s successor — thanks to Rooney’s fine free-kick. “He tired a bit in the second half but I thought he was great in everything he did,” Moyes said of Rooney.
At the Stadium of Light, Ozil, Arsenal’s club record signing, made an instant impact during his 79-minute appearance, while team-mate Aaron Ramsey continued his fine start to the campaign.
Ozil didn’t take long to show his class as the Germany midfielder produced a brilliant touch to control a long ball and then squared for Olivier Giroud, who made no mistake with a cool finish in the 11th minute.
Sunderland drew level when Laurent Koscielny needlessly fouled Adam Johnson in the penalty area and Craig Gardner drove home the resulting spot-kick in the 48th minute. But Ramsey restored Arsenal’s advantage in the 67th minute with a superb volley and the Wales midfielder wrapped up his side’s third league win of the season as he finished off a slick move nine minutes later.
Tottenham started the post-Gareth Bale era by moving to the top of the table with a 2-0 win against Norwich at White Hart Lane.
Stoke manager Mark Hughes frustrated his former club as Manchester City were forced to settle for a 0-0 draw at the Britannia Stadium.
Yoan Gouffran was Newcastle’s star as the Magpies won 2-1 at Aston Villa. Hull and Cardiff shared a 1-1 draw.
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