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Tottenham Hotspur’s Richarlison (right) controls the ball under challenge from Burnley’s Oliver Sonne during their Premier League match. – AFPPIC

Barca cruise past Mallorca

Perfect start Dazzling double for Richarlison and Haaland as Sunderland return to Premier League with win Story on page 29

E RLING HAALAND bagged a double to fire Manchester City to a perfect start in a 4-0 rout of Wolverhampton Wanderers yesterday, while Tottenham Hotspur kicked off the Thomas Frank era with a 3-0 win over Burnley on the first Saturday of the Premier League season. Sunderland celebrated their return to England’s top flight with a 3-0 victory over West Ham United, while Aston Villa survived defender Ezri Konsa’s dismissal to salvage a 0-0 draw against Newcastle United with the visitors missing want-away striker Alexander Isak. On the south coast, Rodrigo Muniz’s last gasp goal gave Fulham a 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion. Pep Guardiola’s revamped City got the season off to a flying start, with Haaland – who has scored in the opening game in all his four seasons in the league – striking in each half, and newcomers Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki scoring debut goals in what City will hope was the first step toward erasing last season’s third place disappointment. “(Reijnders) is an incredible, big signing for us. His work ethic, a holding midfielder occupies a lot of spaces and then after the control with the ball and his movements, and then he is trying to get in behind and score – really pleased. We knew he is a top signing for the coming years for City,” said Guardiola.

told the BBC . Brennan Johnson added a third goal on the counter-attack six minutes later. “Perfect start or dream start. I will just enjoy it and I hope the players, the club and the fans enjoy it because that is important,” Frank said. “Overall it was a good performance, not through the roof. It’s never easy in the Premier League.” The victory was notable for a Premier League first as Burnley keeper Martin Dubravka conceded the first corner kick of the season under new rules after holding the ball for more than eight seconds. Sunderland had a dream start to their return to the top flight after eight years at a jubilant Stadium of Light. The opening half saw the hosts still finding their rhythm against a disjointed Hammers side but they grew into the game, and Eliezer Mayenda broke the deadlock in the 61st minute. Sunderland kept up the momentum and Daniel Ballard scored 12 minutes later, while Wilson Isidor had the home fans in a frenzy with another goal in injury time. “Happy, happy for the club, the organisation, the players and our fans,” Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris told Sky . “To come back into the Premier League with this connection with our fans is impressive. “Every point is important. Today (it) was possible to beat West Ham and we did. Next week we have to reset and have another story.” Brighton appeared to be heading for a victory after Matt O’Riley’s goal from the penalty spot early in the second half, but Fulham salvaged a draw from a corner in the 96th minute when substitute Muniz lashed in from close range. “For sure it feels painful,” Brighton manager Fabian Huerzeler told the BBC . “We should score the second goal and I think the game would be over. That’s football.” – AFP/Reuters

from Burnley. Ederson was not in the travelling squad as he is reportedly close to a move to Galatasaray, which could see City pursue a deal for out-of favour Paris Saint-Germain keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. Wolves are among the favourites to be relegated after losing talisman Matheus Cunha to Manchester United. Vitor Pereira’s side were ultimately well beaten, but the outcome could have been very different had they made the most of an uncertain City start. “This league is a very difficult league and we need more solutions,” said Pereira in a plea for more recruits. “We need help so I hope the club can help us.”

At Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Spurs gave Frank a comprehensive victory in his first home match in charge thanks to a dazzling double from Richarlison, while it was a harsh welcome back to the league for Burnley. Richarlison slotted home Mohammed Kudus’s cross in the 10th minute, and the Brazilian linked up with Kudus again on the hour mark when he dived to fire home Kudus’s cross with a stunning acrobatic volley. “Fantastic finish and the way it was set up, and Mohammed K u d u s brilliant t oo,” Frank

“Of course we have changed after last season with many injuries and problems – fresh energy this season. “It’s quite similar to when I first arrived. We had a lot of players who came when I first arrived… they were outstanding and now the club has to refresh for the next years and be consistent.” James Trafford made his

Manchester City’s Erling Haaland (centre) celebrates scoring their third goal with Oscar Bobb (left) and Tijjani Reijnders. – REUTERSPIC

first senior appearance for the club after returning for a second spell at the Etihad

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