Man City hit the ground running

Adebayor strikes within three minutes to ensure Manchester City get their Premier League campaign off to a flyer at Blackburn Rovers with a 2-0 victory.

Emmanuel Adebayor struck within three minutes to ensure Manchester City got their Premier League campaign off to a flyer at Blackburn Rovers with a 2-0 victory. The Togo international's 20-yard drive was all that City could muster in a half dominated by Rovers. The visitor's defences held firm and Stephen Ireland's late strike ensured three points were returning with them to Eastlands. It was not so rosy at Portsmouth as new owner Sulaiman al Fahim was present to watch his new club lose 1-0 to Fulham at Fratton Park. Fulham went ahead on 13 minutes when a Clint Dempsey shot was deflected into the net off Bobby Zamora. Pompey pressed for an equaliser but rarely troubled Mark Schwarzer in the Cottagers goal. Elsewhere, Chelsea and Hull opened the Premier League season in the earlier kick-off. Didier Drogba's brace, including a stoppage time winner saved the London club's blushes after Stephen Hunt gave Hull the lead. Wigan Athletic were 2-0 winners at Aston Villa with goals from Hugo Rogadella and Jason Koumas. Darren Bent's Sunderland career got off to an emphatic start with his fifth minute winner at Bolton. Burnley's first top-flight game in 33 years resulted in a 2-0 defeat to Stoke City. Ryan Shawcross headed the first on 19 minutes, followed by a Stephen Jordan own-goal, when he headed a trademark Rory Delap throw-in into his own net. West Ham were convincing 2-0 winners at new-boys Wolverhampton Wanderers. The London club scored in either half from Mark Noble and Matthew Upson. [e-mail]