Sarri starts EPL life with Chelsea beating Huddersfield 3-0

Maurizio Sarri enjoyed a winning start to life as a manager in the English Premier League as Chelsea outclassed Huddersfield 3-0 on Saturday.

Former Napoli coach Sarri replaced Antonio Conte in a restless summer for the London club but any fears of an opening-day upset disappeared with goals from France international N’Golo Kante, summer signing Jorginho and Pedro.

World Cup winner Kante’s untidy 34th-minute volley and Jorginho’s audacious penalty on the stroke of halftime put Chelsea in control before Pedro wrapped up the points in the closing stages.

Kepa Arrizabalaga, the world’s most expensive goalkeeper, barely had a save to make on his Blues debut, while Jorginho slotted seamlessly into a well-balanced midfield, which refused to be out-hussled by David Wagner’s Terriers.

Chelsea announced the signing on Wednesday after paying Kepa’s €80-million buyout clause at Athletic Bilbao - the biggest fee ever for a goalkeeper.

Kepa had little to do for the opening 20 minutes as Chelsea hogged the ball, but made a hash of an early touch when he passed straight to Huddersfield midfielder Aaron Mooy.

Alli gives Tottenham opening win at Newcastle

Dele Alli overcame any postWorld Cup rustiness to head Tottenham to a 2-1 victory over Newcastle on the first Saturday of the Premier League season.

All the goals came inside the opening 18 minutes as Joselu cancelled out Jan Vertonghen’s opener before Alli struck to start Tottenham’s season with a win.

Spurs dominated the first half with Christian Eriksen prominent, but found themselves in a battle after the break during which Mohamed Diame and Salomon Rondon both hit the woodwork for Newcastle.

It proved another frustrating afternoon for Tottenham striker Harry Kane, who left Newcastle still waiting for a Premier League goal in August after 14 attempts without success.

Tottenham needed just eight minutes to go in front after goalkeeper Martin Dubravka turned away a shot from Eriksen.

The Denmark international delivered the resulting corner for defender Davinson Sanchez to attack. His header was met at the far post by Vertonghen and the ball bounced down from the crossbar, with referee Martin Atkinson awarding the goal after being alerted by goal-line technology that it had crossed the line.

The lead lasted just three minutes as Joselu rewarded manager Rafael Benitez for his faith in picking him ahead of summer signings Rondon and Yoshinori Muto.

Matt Ritchie cut back on to his left foot and curled in a cross which the striker met unopposed to glance a header past Hugo Lloris.

Spurs continued to dominate possession and regained the lead with just 18 minutes played when full-back Serge Aurier drove a cross to the far post for the unmarked Alli to head past Dubravka.

The Magpies should have been level six minutes into the half when Joselu picked out Kenedy in acres of space, but the Brazilian’s first touch let him down.

Substitute Rondon almost snatched a point five minutes from time when his shot hit Vertonghen and looped over Lloris, only for the ball to come back off the crossbar.

Watford beats Brighton 2-0 with Pereyra double

Roberto Pereyra began the season with a double as Watford beat Brighton 2-0 on the opening weekend of the Premier League.

The Argentine midfielder scored with a volley and a curling shot as Brighton, which spent more than $70 million on 10 new players in the offseason, started disappointingly.

Watford was on top for most of the game and broke through in the 35th minute when Pereyra was unmarked and met Jose Holebas’ corner with an impressive volley.

Pereyra took advantage of more poor defending from Brighton soon after halftime when he was again set up by Holebas. He collected a pass and drifted past new Brighton signing Bernardo before curling his shot past goalkeeper Mathew Ryan from a tight angle.

Fulham beaten by Palace on EPL return

Crystal Palace taught Fulham a painful lesson on its London rival’s return to the Premier League with a 2-0 victory yesterday.

Having absorbed much of Fulham’s pressure, Palace punished rare lapses in intensity and concentration to score toward the end of each half through Jeffrey Schlupp and then Wilfried Zaha.

Richarlison scores twice for Everton, but Wolves save point

Richarlison scored twice on his debut but 10-man Everton were left frustrated as Wolves claimed a point on their Premier League return.

The Brazilian winger stabbed home his first from close range, before stroking in a delightful second.

The Toffees had been in control for the opening 40 minutes, but skipper Phil Jagielka was sent off for a dangerous challenge on Diogo Jota, and saw their opponents come from behind twice.

Wolves levelled at 1-1 from the resulting free-kick with midfielder Ruben Neves curling into the top corner from the edge of the box.

Raul Jimenez struck straight at Jordan Pickford from close range in the second half, but the on-loan Mexican made amends by burying a header with 10 minutes remaining from Neves' cross.