Scholes scores in landmark Premiership match as City held

LONDON (AFP) -

Manchester United‘s midfielder Paul Scholes, playing his 700th game for United, celebrates scoring the opening goal of their English Premier League football match against Wigan Athletic at Old Trafford in Manchester. Manchester United won 4-0.

Manchester United veteran Paul Scholes marked his 700th appearance for the club with a goal in a 4-0 Premier League win over Wigan on Saturday as champions Manchester City were held to a 1-1 draw by Stoke.

Elsewhere, Arsenal thrashed bottom of the table Southampton 6-1 to leave the promoted Saints still searching for their first points of the season.

At Old Trafford, Scholes got the ball rolling for United before debutants, Alex Buttner and Nick Powell, completed the scoring as the home side went second in the table, a point behind Chelsea who were held 0-0 by Queen’s Park Rangers.

United missed the chance to take an early lead when Wigan’s Ali Al Habsi saved Javier Hernandez’s weak penalty.

It was a controversial spot-kick, won after Danny Welbeck dived in the box.

But after half-time Al Habsi could only weakly palm away Nani’s cross, allowing Scholes to score his 163rd goal for United.

Hernandez then atoned for his spot-kick error by making it 2-0.

Stoke City’s Michael Owen (L) clashes for the ball with Manchester City’s Javi Garcia (C) during the Premiership football match at The Brittania Stadium in Stoke. The game ended 1-1.

Dutch left-back Buttner, a recent signing from Vitesse Arnhem, then scored a superb solo goal, beating three men down the left before a shot from a tight angle went in off Al Habsi.

And eight minutes from time, midfielder Powell made it 4-0.

“We had to start all over again after the missed penalty,” United manager Alex Ferguson told the BBC.

“We always remember Paul Scholes as someone who arrives late in the box. But his role has changed over the years, playing a holding role.

“Buttner was rash at times but he has great enthusiasm and he is a great finisher.”

At the Britannia Stadium, England striker Peter Crouch gave Stoke a 15th minute lead when he bundled the ball in from close range, having appeared to handle in the build-up.

But Manchester City were level 10 minutes before half time when new signing Javi Garcia scored on his debut after heading in Carlos Tevez’s free-kick.

Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross’s goal-line clearance late on ensured a point for the Potters.

Arsenal’s striker Lukas Podolski (L) scores during their English Premier League football match against Southampton at The Emirates Stadium in north London. Arsenal thrashed bottom of the table Southampton 6-1.

“It was basketball — not football,” said City manager Roberto Mancini of Crouch’s goal.

“I didn’t see it at the time. But now I’ve seen a replay, it’s incredible.”

Arsenal, who are now third in the table, struck in the 11th minute at the Emirates when Kieran Gibbs’s cross was turned in to his own net by Southampton defender Jos Hooiveld.

Lukas Podolski’s long range free-kick then made it 2-0, Gervinho added Arsenal’s third 10 minutes before half-time and another Gibbs-inspired own-goal, this time by Nathaniel Clyne, made it 4-0.

There was still time in the half for Saints to pull one back when Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny dropped a cross and Danny Fox scored.

But Gervinho netted again in the 71st minute when he tapped in from close range after substitute Aaron Ramsey’s cross hit the post.

And, two minutes from time, Theo Walcott scored against his old club to make it 6-1.

“We moved the ball at a very high pace and gave Southampton lots of problems,” said Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

“It was a lesson for our players,” said Saints boss Nigel Adkins. “If you give quality players time they will hurt you and that’s what happened.”

Queens Park Rangers‘ defender Anton Ferdinand (2nd L) is seen with Chelsea’s defender John Terry (R) during their English Premier League football match at Loftus Road in London. The match ended in a 0-0 draw.

At Loftus Road, there was no pre-match handshake from Anton Ferdinand for Chelsea captain John Terry in what turned out to be a goalless draw.

The match was the first between the clubs since since Chelsea and England defender Terry was found not guilty of using a racial slur against the Hoops’ Ferdinand in the corresponding fixture last October.

“Both sets of players played very professionally,” said Chelsea manager Roberto di Matteo. “As far as we are concerned, our players offered it and if the other player doesn’t want to receive it, then we move on.”

Aston Villa won their first league match under new manager Paul Lambert as they ended Swansea’s unbeaten start to the season with a 2-0 home win thanks to a goals from Matthew Lowton and a late own-goal by Christian Benteke.

Former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov scored twice as Fulham beat West Brom 3-0.

Fulham’s striker Dimitar Berbatov scores his second goal from the penalty spot during their English Premier League football match against West Bromwich Albion at Craven Cottage in London. Berbatov marked his Fulham home debut with two goals in a 3-0 Premier League victory over 10-man West Bromwich Albion.

Berbatov, on his home debut, gave the Cottagers a 31st-minute lead when his well-struck shot from 15 yards beat Baggies goalkeeper Ben Foster.

West Brom’s day worsened when they went down to 10 men after Peter Odemwingie was shown a red card for lashing out at Fulham defender Sascha Riether.

“I felt a kick on my ankle and felt an injustice that the linesman was so close but nothing was given,” said Nigeria winger Odemwingie.

“But now I think it was my fault. I lost my temper. I’m a professional and should have kept my cool.”

Berbatov’s penalty then made it 2-0 on the stroke of half-time and Steve Sidwell completed the scoring a minute from time.

Norwich and West Ham shared the points in a goalless draw.