Local Football

New recruit Terence Scerri scored twice as Valletta defeated Birkirkara 3-1 in the opening match from the BOV Premier League. Valletta managed to break the deadlock on 27 minutes when off a cross from the right by Priso, Geert den Ouden headed home past goalkeeper Jorge Mora. Birkirkara levelled matters eight minuted from the end of the first half when off a Michael Galea cross from the right,

Sylvano Comvalius headed home from close range. Valletta regained the lead twelve minutes in the second half when Ronni Hartvig failed to clear the ball following a cross from the left by Bezzina and Terence Scerri had the easiest of jobs in slotting the ball past goalkeeper Mora. On 69 minutes, Terence Scerri made it 3-1 for Valletta as he hit hard past Jorge More after receiving a perfect pass from the right.

On Saturday, Tarxien Rainbows came from behind to beat newly-promoted Dingli Swallows 4-1 despite having a player sent off. Dingli took the lead on 12 minutes when they were awarded a penalty after Etienne Farrugia was brought down inside the area by goalkeeper Anthony Curmi. Nigerian Striker Joseph Okonkwo made no mistake from the penalty spot. Tarxien levelled matters two minutes later when off a cross from the left by Warren Chircop, Denni Rocha Dos Santos headed home from close range. The Rainbows forged ahead on 57 minutes when off a freekick from the left by David Camilleri, Anderson Mendes Ribeiro headed home past Farrugia. On 61 minutes, following another swift counter-attack for Tarxien, Denni Dos Santos released Anderson Mendes Ribeiro who scored with a fine rising shot from the right. Three minutes from time, James Shead sealed the issue with a fourth goal for the Rainbows when he anticipated Jeffrey Farrugia with a good shot from the left when served by Denni Dos Santos. A few seconds later, Tarxien were reduced to ten men after Anderson Mendes Ribeiro was given marching orders by referee Marco Borg.

Meanwile, in the second game, Sliema Wanderers collected their first three points as they beat newly-promoted Vittoriosa Stars 3-0. Sliema managed to take the lead in added time at the end of the first half when Ryan Fenech concluded a good move with a fine diagonal shot from the right which beat goalkeeper Henry Bonello. The Wanderers doubled the score six minutes in the second half with Ivan Woods anticipating Bonello with a beautiful shot following a Ryan Fenech freekick.  Two minutes from time, Miguel Ciantar scored the third goal as he slotted the ball past Henry Bonello when served by John Mintoff from the right.

In Sunday's first match, Floriana and Qormi earned their first points as they shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw. Qormi took the lead on 56 minutes when Alfred Effiong gained possession in midfield and advanced on the left, before serving Joseph Chetcuti who slotted past goalkeeper Bernard Paris. Two minutes from time, Floriana notched the equaliser when off a pass by Christian Cassar, Orosco Anonam beat Matthew Farrugia with a powerful shot from inside the area.

Etienne Barbara notched a hat-trick on his debut for Hibernans as the Paolites defended Marsaxlokk 3-1. Hibernians took the lead after just three minutes when Andrew Cohen sent Etienne Barbara through and the latter slotted past goalkeeper Glenn Zammit. Marsaxlokk levelled matters on the 14th when Roderick Bajada served Martin Deanov whose fine shot from the left beat goalkeeper Mario Muscat. Hibernians regained the lead on 35 minutes with Etienne Barbara once again beating Muscat from close range when served by Ben Camilleri. On 79 minutes, Hibernians scored the third goal with Etienne Barbara beating Zammit with a shot from inside the area after the Marsaxlokk defence failed to clear a pass from the right by Triston Caruana.

English Premier League

Manchester United recovered from their Burnley blip by beating Wigan, after the interval to cruise to a 5-0 success. Wayne Rooney scored twice to bring up his century of goals for Sir Alex Ferguson's men with Dimitar Berbatov adding a superb second following an excellent team move in between. And the icing on the cake came in the closing stages with Michael Owen grabbing his first goal for the club with a superb finish, before Nani lashed home a last-gasp free-kick.

Arsenal put hapless Portsmouth to the sword at Emirates Stadioum with Abou Diaby scoring twice in the first half on his 100th appearance for the Gunners. Younes Kaboul outjumped Manuel Almunia to pull one back before the break, but William Gallas' comical close-range finish via his shin and face and Aaron Ramsey's clinical fourth made the game safe.

Emmanuel Adebayor grabbed his second Premier League goal ini as many games as Manchester City triumphed 1-0 over Wolves at Eastlands. The Togo international beat Wolves keeper Wayne Hennessey at his near post in the 17th minute after being played into space by fellow summer signing Carlos Tevez's clever pass.

Sunderland hit back from the setback of going a goal down to claim all three points thanks to a 2-1 victory against Blackburn at the Stadium of Light. Gael Givet opened his account for Rovers with a low effort from the edge of the box only for Kenwyne Jones to out-fox Paul Robinson before the break before beating him with a header in the second period.

Kamel Ghilas opened his account for Hull City with the only goal of the game at the KC Stadium to leave Bolton pointless and goalless after two games. Birmingham and Stoke City shared the spoils after a stalemate at St Andrews, but the Potters saw striker James Beattie limp out of the action early on with a knee problem.

On Sunday, Tottenham and Chelsea stayed neck and neck at the top of the Premier League with away victories on Sunday while promoted Burnley followed up its victory over Manchester United with a 1-0 triumph over Everton. The Hammers went ahead in the 49th with Carlton Cole scoring with a 25-meter, left-foot volley. Jermain Defoe equalized in the 54th minute against his former club while Aaron Lennon captured all three points for Spurs with a diagonal left foot shot.

Drogba took a short pass from Anelka and raced clear to shoot home in the 39th minute at Fulham and his French striker partner added the second in the 76th.

Wade Elliott fired Burnley's winner after 34 minutes at Turf Morr to make it two home wins in a row for the side back in the top flight for the first time since 1976 and promoted through the League Championship playoffs.

On Monday, Liverpool suffered their second defeat this season, home to Aston Villa. Lucas Leiva suffered the indignity of putting through his own net to open the scoring, before Curtis Davies doubled Villa's lead moments before the break.

Fernando Torres did pull one back for the hosts, but Ashley Young rounded off the scoring from the penalty spot.

Italian Serie A

Serie A action returned on Saturday, with title hopefuls AC Milan tasting opening day success. The Rossoneri overcame Siena 2-1 on the road, with Brazilian striker Alexandre Pato the star of the show. The Samba starlet opened the scoring on 29 minutes, latching on to a Ronaldinho through-ball before firing home. Abdelkader Ghezzal did level matters on 34 minutes, but Pato ensured Milan claimed maximum points when he grabbed his second of the night three minutes into the second half.

Meanwhile, Bologna and Fiorentina had the honour of getting the new season underway and they played out a 1-1 draw at Renato Dell'Ara. The hosts took the lead on 24 minutes when Pablo Osvaldo towered above a statuesque defence to nod the opener. Struggling to create chances, the Viola then turned to Romain talisman Adrian Mutu, and he duly produced a 64-th minute equaliser after less than 20 minuted on the field.

On Sunday, Serie A Champions Inter Milan were surprisingly held 1-1 by newly-promoted Bari in their opening match of the new season. Samuel Eto'o, who joined from Barcelona this summer in the deal that took Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Spain, handed his side the lead on 55 minutes via the penalty spot. With 17 minutes remaining, Bari dug deep and stunned the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza when striker Vitali Kutuzov slotted home.

Genoa are the surprise early leaders after they recorded a shock 3-2 victory over Roma at Stadio Luigi Ferraris. Substitute Domenico Criscito opened the scoring for the home side before Rome turned the game on its head via goals from Rodrigo Taddei and Francesco Totti. But Genoa were not to be beaten as Alberto Zapater equalised before Giuseppe Biava  bagged a late winner.

Juventus got their campaign off to a winning start with a 1-0 home victory over Chievo. Striker Vincenzo Iaquinta fired home the only goal of the game, netting in the 11th minute.

Udinese and Parma played out a four-goal thriller at the Stadio Friuli. Alberto Paloschi put away team Parma in front but Antonio Di Natale restored parity from the penalty spot. Alessandro Lucarelli then scored four minutes into the second half and looked to have handed Parma the spoils only for Di Natale to level in the 90th minute.

Lazio were the victors in their clash against Atalanta as Tommaso Rocchi's 22nd minute goal proved decisive.

Fabrizio Miccoli was the hero for Palermo as the home side recorded a 2-1 victory over Napoli. Marek Hamsik was on hand to cancel out Edinson Cavani's opener before Miccoli bagged the winning goal.

A last minute goal from Daniele Gastaldello ensured Sampdoria snatched a late 2-1 win at Catania. Giampaolo Pazzini got Sampdoria up and running but Takayuki Morimoto levelled before Augustyn Blazej was handed a red card. And Sampdoria made their numerical advantage pay as Gastaldello struck in the dying moments to ensure three points.

Elsewhere, Livorno and Cagliari played out a goalless stalemate at Stadio Armando Picchi.

Spanish Super Cup

Barcelona recorded a 5-1 aggregate win in their Supercopa de Espana clash versus Athletic Bilbao on Sunday evening. Having won the first leg 2-1, Barca wrapped up the success and in turn claimed the throphy for the first time since 2006. Argentine wizard Lionel Messi netted a brace in the second half for the European champions to but them in a comfortable position. And gifted youngster Bojan Krkic sealed the victory on 72 minutes to set Barca up nicely for the new season.

Formula 1

Rubens Barrichello took advantage of a poor McLaren pit-stop to win the European Grand Prix in Valencia. Lewis Hamilton looked set for a second consecutive victory but he was delayed in the pits and eventually had to settle for second place. World Championship leader Jenson Button had a miserable afternoon and could only manage seventh but his two nearest challengers, Mark Webber and Sebastien Vettel, fared even worse.

Kimi Raikkonen made steady progress throughout the race, eventually claiming his third podium of the season behind Barrichello and Hamilton. Veteran Barrichello has taken nine previous race victories, but his win at the Spanish track is his first for new team Brawn GP. Heikki Kovalainen took fourth place with Nico Rosberg hot on his tail, with home favourite Fernando Alonso, Button and Robert Kubica collecting the rest of the points on offer.

Tennis

World number one Roger Federer warmed up for the defense of his U.S. Open title in perfect fashion as he beat fourth seed Novak Djokovic 6-1 7-5 to win the Cincinnati Master on Sunday.