Earlier Sir Alex Ferguson’s team had appeared to be in complete control of the game when Paul Scholes scored for United in the 12th minute. But Simon Davies levelled for the home side in 57th minute and Hangeland managed to cancel out his own goal to ensure Mark Hughes avoided defeat in his first home game as Fulham boss.
Wayne Rooney was missing from the United line-up having been forced to withdraw because of illness, prompting Ferguson to pair Dimitar Berbatov and Javier Hernandez up front.
And, while United missed Rooney’s more direct approach, the forward duo initially linked effectively during an opening period that should have seen the visitors establish a more commanding lead. As it was, Ferguson’s side had only one goal to show for their early efforts, a typically outstanding long range effort from Scholes.
Villa fall to the Magpies
Andy Carroll helped himself to a hat-trick as Newcastle United stunned Aston Villa 6-0 to mark a memorable home return to the Premier League. Two goals from midfielder Kevin Nolan and another from Joey Barton ensured a third 6-0 victory of the weekend.
Carroll, the England Under-21 international striker, staked his claim for inclusion in manager Fabio Capello’s plans for the senior side with an outstanding performance to the delight of the watching Alan Shearer in the stands.
Villa wasted a golden opportunity to go ahead when John Carew skied a penalty high over the bar after 10 minutes and soon after Newcastle took control. Barton fired home an angled shot after 12 minutes before Nolan headed in at the second attempt just after the half hour mark and Carroll made it three for the Magpies minutes later.
Carroll blasted in the fourth on 67 minutes with another Nolan header and a neat stoppage-time finish from Carroll sealing Newcastle’s first points of the season.
Chelsea hit Wigan for six
Chelsea’s ominously impressive start to the defence of their Premier League crown continued with another six-goal thrashing of hopelessly outclassed opponents.
After beating West Brom 6-0 in their season opener last weekend, Carlo Ancelotti’s side inflicted an identical scoreline on Wigan.
Chelsea’s win at Wigan had French foundations with Florent Malouda opening the scoring in the first half before a Nicolas Anelka double killed the contest in the space of four minutes shortly after the restart.
Salomon Kalou then claimed two late goals - both made by man-of-the-match Didier Drogba - before fellow substitute Yossi Benayoun wrapped things up in the 90th minute.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 23rd, 2010.
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