ReUnited

MANCHESTER, September 11

Two goals from returning hero Cristiano Ronaldo sent Manchester United top of the Premier League after early season pace-setters Tottenham Hotspur fell to a surprise 3-0 loss at Crystal Palace today.

Champions Manchester City made it three wins out of four with a 1-0 win at Leicester City while Arsenal got their first victory of the campaign, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on target in a 1-0 win over Norwich City.

Manchester United lead on 10 points with Manchester City a point behind along with Brighton and Hove Albion, who won 1-0 at promoted Brentford, and Spurs.

Ronaldo’s return to United from Juventus last month brought with it the promise of excitement and goals at Old Trafford and his second debut certainly lived up to the billing.

The 36-year-old fired his side ahead just before the break, pouncing to slot home from close range after Newcastle keeper Freddie Woodman was unable to hold on to a low drive from Mason Greenwood.

After Javier Manquillo brought Newcastle level following the break, Ronaldo produced a trademark strike. He burst into the box as he collected a through ball from Luke Shaw before drilling it through the legs of Woodman. Bruno Fernandes made it 3-1 with a wonderful strike and substitute Jesse Lingard completed the rout.

Keep calm and trust Mbappe

Paris: Paris St Germain kept their perfect Ligue 1 record intact as they hammered promoted Clermont 4-0 with a brutal display today.

In the absence of Lionel Messi and Neymar, who were not in the squad after returning late from international duty with Argentina and Brazil, Kylian Mbappe netted his fourth goal on his first appearance at the Parc des Princes since his failed transfer to Real Madrid.

Haaland leads the way

Leverkusen: Erling Haaland scored two goals and made another as Borussia Dortmund repeatedly came from behind before beating Bayer Leverkusen 4-3 in a thrilling Bundesliga game.

Elsewhere, VfL Wolfsburg remained top of the table with a comfortable 2-0 win over struggling Greuther Furth, while FC Cologne managed to hang on for a 1-1 draw at Freiburg. — Reuters