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maltatoday | SUNDAY • 12 AUGUST 2018 28 FOOTBALL SPORTS Chelsea and Spurs win away as promoted teams struggle CHELSEA and Tottenham Hot- spur enjoyed away wins on the opening Saturday of the Premier League season while promoted Fulham and Cardiff City were given quick reminders of the tough task they face on their re- turns to the top flight. Goals from N'Golo Kante, Jorginho (penalty) and Pedro gave Chelsea an impressive 3-0 win at Huddersfield Town as their new Italian coach Maur- izio Sarri watched his team re- spond well after enduring early pressure from David Wagner's side. Chelsea gave a debut to the world's most expensive goal- keeper, Kepa Arrizabalaga, who joined from Athletic Bilbao for 72 million pounds last week, but the Spaniard had little work to do. Sarri, who took over from Antonio Conte in July, said that he now had a month to try to shape his new side before midweek Europa League games were added to the mix. "We are lucky now because for three to four weeks we can work with only one match a week, so we have to improve in this month," he said. "Then it will be difficult with three matches in a week, with the suspension for the national teams. I hope in this month to improve the team," he said. Spurs fans' concerns about their club's lack of transfer business may have eased after Jan Vertonghen and Dele Alli scored as Mauricio Pochettino's team began the campaign with an entertaining 2-1 victory at Newcastle United. All three goals came in a frantic opening 20 minutes on Tyneside, with two headed goals for the north London team coming either side of Joselu's equaliser for Rafa Benitez's Newcastle. Like several clubs who had players competing at the World Cup, Spurs have had to cope without several key performers during pre-season and Pochet- tino was delighted with the ap- proach his players had taken. "I feel very proud. The players showed great character and commitment," he said. "We fought hard and they deserve full credit because the mentality was amazing. "It wasn't easy to connect everything in a few days — a massive challenge — but we kept going and made a massive effort in our performance." Well-taken goals by Jeffrey Schlupp and Wilfried Zaha fired confident-looking Crystal Pal- ace to a 2-0 win over promoted Fulham at Craven Cottage. Fulham manager Slavisa Jo- kanovic said his team needed to adjust quickly to the new level of quality they will face. "The Premier League is more power, more speed and more quality and we must adapt," he said. "We have to trust ourselves and work hard and we know we can play better than today." Cardiff City also tasted defeat on their return to the elite — midfielder Ryan Fraser's first- half goal and forward Callum Wilson's late strike securing the three points for Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. The other promoted team, Championship winners Wolver- hampton Wanderers, host Ever- ton in the late Saturday game. Argentine Roberto Pereyra scored twice — the first a superb volley — as Watford enjoyed a 2-0 victory over Brighton and Hove Albion. Champions Manchester City begin their title defence at the Emirates against Arsenal today while Liverpool, tipped by many to challenge Pep Guardiola's side this season, host West Ham United. Manchester United kicked off the season on Friday with a 2-1 win over Leicester City at Old Trafford. Chelsea's Jorginho celebrates scoring their second goal Tottenham's Serge Aurier and Moussa Sissoko celebrate after the match