Images from the English Premier League

Wayne Rooney got Manchester United's bid for a fourth consecutive Premier League title off to a winning start with the only goal in a 1-0 victory over promoted Birmingham City at Old Trafford on Sunday.

The England striker reacted quickly 12 minutes before halftime, stabbing in a rebound from close range after his initial header from Nani's cross came back off the post.

It was far from vintage United, however, with Birmingham able to carve out chances, most notably when substitute Christian Benitez forced a fine save from Ben Foster late on.

Last season's runners-up Liverpool lost 2-1 at Tottenham Hotspur in their opening match of the Premier League campaign on Sunday.

French defender Sebastien Bassong headed Tottenham's winner on his debut just over a week after joining the club from Newcastle United.

Benoit Assou-Ekotto fired Spurs in front with a thumping shot past Pepe Reina just before halftime and Liverpool, narrow runners-up to United last season, levelled with a Steven Gerrard penalty early in the second half.

Arsenal lit up the opening day of the Premier League season with a 6-1 demolition of Everton at Goodison Park.

Arsenal midfielder Denilson began the football lesson and defenders Thomas Vermaelen and William Gallas were also on target before the break.

Captain Cesc Fabregas bagged two in the second half and Eduardo chipped in with a sixth before Louis Saha earned Everton a crumb of consolation.

"Everybody in our team can score goals and everybody likes to go forward so when things go for us like today, anyone can score," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said.

Didier Drogba struck in stoppage time to give Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti a winning start at Stamford Bridge.

Drogba's double earned Chelsea a 2-1 home win over Hull City after the visitors had taken a shock early lead.

the 31-year-old Drogba took possession of the ball on the left hand edge of the penalty area two minutes into stoppage time and from a seemingly impossible angle chipped the ball into the net.

"I was a bit lucky to score," Drogba said. "It was a cross for Salomon Kalou."

Big-spending Manchester City won 2-0 at Blackburn Rovers as striker Emmanuel Adebayor capped his debut with a goal after just three minutes. Stephen Ireland grabbed a late second.

Burnley's top-flight return went flat as they slumped 2-0 at Stoke City, fellow new boys Wolverhampton Wanderers lost 2-0 at home to West Ham United and Darren Bent scored on his debut to give Sunderland a 1-0 win at Bolton Wanderers.

Roberto Martinez, making his debut as a Premier League manager, watched his Wigan Athletic side win 2-0 at Aston Villa and Fulham triumphed 1-0 at Portsmouth.