Arsenal have made a mockery of suggestions that a serious tilt at the English premiership football title is beyond them thrashing Everton 6-1 in the opening round of the season.
Everton finished fifth last year but the Gunners inflicted the Merseyside club's worst home defeat since 1982.
Chelsea beat Hull 2-1, cash-rich Manchester City beat Blackburn 2-0, while Stoke were also 2-nil winners over newly promoted Burnley.
Fulham beat Portsmouth 1-0, Sunderland also grabbed a 1-0 win at Bolton while West Ham beat last season's Championship winners Wolves 2-0, the same scoreline that gave Wigan victory at Aston Villa.
Champions Manchester United begin their quest for a record fourth successive English title at home to Birmingham tonight with arch-rivals Liverpool hosting Tottenham.
