They added a second 10 minutes later when James Milner crossed from the left and Obafemi Martins found space in the box and after controlling the ball he smashed in an overhead kick from close range.

Martins scored his second and Newcastle’s third in the 27th minute when his low shot from the edge of the area took a wicked deflection off Abdoulaye Faye.

Newcastle’s bitter north-east rivals Sunderland began their Premier League life under Roy Keane in dramatic style, beating Champions League hopefuls Tottenham 1-0 at the Stadium of Light thanks to an injury-time debut goal from new signing Michael Chopra.

The former Newcastle man side-footed a low shot past Spurs goalkeeper Paul Robinson after coming on as a substitute for the final 20 minutes.

Sven-Goran Eriksson’s first 45 minutes as a club manager in England went well as Manchester City led 1-0 at West Ham.

Eriksson’s first signing, Rolando Bianchi, put the Blues in front in the 18th minute as he tapped home from close range following a mazy run by Elano.

Newly-promoted Derby made a perfect start against Portsmouth as Stephen Bywater’s long goal kick was flicked on by Steve Howard and former Southampton midfielder Matt Oakley burst into the area and lashed in a shot after four minutes.

However, Pompey equalised in the 27th minute when Benjani Mwaruwari’s shot slid beneath the body of Bywater, who should have done better.

Everton claimed a half-time advantage against Wigan at Goodison Park thanks to Leon Osman’s 26th-minute header, while a curling Stewart Downing free-kick gave Middlesbrough the lead at the interval against Blackburn at the Riverside.