Man United, Spurs off to winning starts
Ronaldo sent off after scoring
Two summer signings costing $205 million inspired Manchester United to an easy victory in its opening Premier League match of the season.
Tottenham didn’t spend anything in the transfer market during the offseason but still got off to a winning start yesterday.
Romelu Lukaku scored twice and Nemanja Matic ran the game from central midfield as United beat West Ham 4-0 in an ominous performance at Old Trafford.
United jumped ahead of Chelsea to sign Lukaku for £75 million ($NZ133 million) in July and the Belgium striker has already scored on his competitive debut - a consolation against Real Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup - and now on his Premier League debut.
The nature of his goals against West Ham highlighted the impact Lukaku could have. The first came when he ran onto a through-ball following a quick break and slotted a finish in off the post in the 33rd, and the second was a header from a free kick in the 52nd.
Matic, meanwhile, was authoritative on his league debut for United following his recent departure from Chelsea, which looks increasingly like an illjudged Cristiano Ronaldo scored a sensational goal and was then sent off for a combination of his provocative celebration and for diving as Real Madrid beat Barcelona 3-1 in an explosive Spanish Super Cup first leg yesterday.
Gerard Pique scored an own goal early in the second half to give Real the lead in the annual curtain raiser between the Liga champions and the King’s Cup holders although Lionel Messi looked to have saved his blushes by scoring a controversial penalty in the 77th minute
decision by the champions. He created the first goal by dispossessing West Ham’s Pedro Obiang and sparking the break, and proved to be an impenetrable shield in front of United’s back four.
He could be one of the signings of the summer at £40 million ($NZ71 million).
Anthony Martial and Paul Pogba scored in the final three minutes of normal time to leave United top of the early standings on goal difference.
Earlier, Tottenham beat 10-man Newcastle 2-0 away thanks to goals by Dele Alli and Ben Davies, with last season’s runner-up only pulling clear at St. James’ after Luis Suarez was fouled.
Substitute Ronaldo rattled in a sensational strike from outside the area three minutes later to restore the Liga and European champions’ advantage, earning a booking for removing his shirt and mimicking Messi’s celebration at the Santiago Bernabeu in last April’s Clasico.
Ronaldo was given a second yellow card moments later for diving to attempt to win a penalty and will miss Wednesday’s second leg at the Bernabeu.
Park after Newcastle captain Jonjo Shelvey’s 48thminute red card.
Shelvey was sent off for treading on the foot of Alli, an act that was even more foolish as it took place right in front of the referee.
Spurs are the only team in the Premier League not to make a signing this summer but they are still looking likely title contenders, alongside United.
Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino was also happy with an away victory to start the London club’s premier league campaign.
The last time Spurs played at St. James’ Park, they lost 5-1 on the final day of the 2015-16 season.