Van Persie heroics marred by Rooney injury

LONDON (AFP) –

Manchester United‘s forward Robin van Persie (L) scores during their English Premier League football match against Fulham at Old Trafford in Manchester.

Robin van Persie marked his first Manchester United start with a sublime goal, but his side’s 3-2 victory over Fulham was marred by a nasty injury to Wayne Rooney that will sideline the England striker for four weeks.

Van Persie had little chance to contribute during a brief substitute appearance in United’s lacklustre defeat at Everton on Monday, but took just 10 minutes to make his mark at Old Trafford with a brilliant half-volley to cancel out Damien Duff’s opener.

Inspired by the £24 million ($37.9 million) Dutch striker, United went on to secure their first win of the season.

But the result was overshadowed by Rooney’s injury late in the second half, which left the England striker, who was stretchered off, with blood streaming from a deep gash in his thigh after he was caught by Hugo Rodallega.

Rooney was taken to hospital for treatment and United coach Sir Alex Ferguson said: “It was a very bad one. He has gone to hospital. It looks like he will be out for four weeks.”

West Bromwich Albion’s defender Gareth McAuley (2nd L) celebrates the goal scored by James Morrison during their English Premier League football match against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane in north London. The match ended in a 1-1 draw.

Fulham had stunned United when Irish winger Duff fired home from just inside the penalty area in the third minute.

But that brought a scintillating response from van Persie, who levelled with a blistering strike from Patrice Evra’s cross.

Like van Persie, former Borussia Dortmund star Shinji Kagawa was making his first appearance at Old Trafford and he marked the occasion by tapping in his maiden United goal.

United defender Rafael da Silva added a third goal in the 41st minute before Nemanja Vidic’s 64th-minute own goal gave Fulham a glimmer of hope.

Chelsea‘s striker Fernando Torres (R) clashes with Newcastle United’s midfielder Yohan Cabaye during their English Premier League football match at Stamford Bridge in London. Chelsea won 2-0.

While United are off the mark, it is Chelsea who are setting the early pace as the European champions cemented their position on top of the table with a 2-0 win against Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge.

Roberto Di Matteo’s side, who have recorded three successive victories, went ahead in the 22nd minute when Eden Hazard drilled home his first Chelsea goal from the penalty spot after a Vurnon Anita foul on Fernando Torres.

Spain striker Torres added the second goal himself, lashing in from Hazard’s back-heel just before half-time.

Praising Hazard’s latest dominant display, Chelsea defender Ashley Cole said: “When I played for England against Belgium I had to mark him. I told the guys then that he’s going to rip up the Premier League.”

Everton, often hampered by slow starts to the season, also maintained their 100 percent record with a 3-1 win over 10-man Aston Villa.

South Africa midfielder Steven Pienaar gave David Moyes’ side the perfect start as he struck in the third minute at Villa Park.

Marouane Fellaini increased the lead with a 31st-minute header and Croatia striker Nikica Jelavic swept home a Leighton Baines cross just before half-time.

Villa defender Ciaran Clark earned a straight red card for a professional foul on Jelavic in the second half and Karim El Ahmadi’s 74th-minute goal was little consolation for the hosts.

Everton’s striker Nikica Jelavic (L) is fouled by Aston Villa’s defender Ciaran Clark (R) resulting in a red card for Clark during their English Premier League football match at Villa Park in Birmingham. Everton won 3-1.

Andre Villas-Boas was denied a first win as Tottenham manager as James Morrison’s late goal secured a 1-1 draw for West Bromwich Albion at White Hart Lane.

Benoit Assou-Ekotto struck for Tottenham in the 74th minute with a deflected shot, but Steve Clarke’s side levelled through Morrison in stoppage time.

“It is very important to get that first win but there are still 36 games ahead of us,” Villas-Boas said. “We have one more point than we did this time last year.”

Norwich City and QPR, both thrashed 5-0 last weekend, shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at Carrow Road.

Chris Hughton’s side took the lead through Simeon Jackson’s 11th-minute header, but QPR were level within nine minutes when Bobby Zamora converted the rebound after Djibril Cisse’s penalty was saved by John Ruddy.

Wigan Athletic showed there is life after Victor Moses as the Latics won 2-0 at Southampton.

Wigan’s striker Arouna Kone shoots to score during their English Premier League football match against Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton. Wigan won 2-0.

With Nigeria forward Moses having joined Chelsea on Friday, Wigan coach Roberto Martinez needed his other forwards to step up and Franco Di Santo rose to the challenge as the Argentine hammered a powerful shot into the roof of the net in the 51st minute.

Arouna Kone completed Wigan’s victory with a fine solo effort in the 89th minute.

Sunderland’s match against Reading was postponed less than 90 minutes before kick-off due to a waterlogged pitch at the Stadium of Light.

On Sunday, Arsenal travel to Stoke City and champions Manchester City take on Liverpool at Anfield.