updated 3:34 p.m. ET Aug. 17, 2008

LONDON - Chelsea gained an early advantage over Manchester United in the Premier League title race on Sunday, routing Portsmouth 4-0 as the defending champion was held 1-1 by Newcastle.

Aston Villa suggested it can improve upon last season as American goalkeeper Brad Friedel made his league debut for the Villans in a 4-2 win over Manchester City in Sunday’s other match on the opening weekend of the season.

Chelsea, which last season finished runners-up to Manchester United in England and in the Champions League, showed a new verve in manager Luiz Felipe Scolari’s first game and thoroughly outclassed the FA Cup holders with goals by Joe Cole, Nicolas Anelka, Frank Lampard and Deco.

It suggested that United will find it tough to hang on to its titles as it struggles through the opening weeks of the campaign with a weakened squad.

Cristiano Ronaldo, last season’s top scorer, is sidelined until October and United will now have to contend without Michael Carrick (ankle) and Ryan Giggs (hamstring) for at least two weeks. Alex Ferguson also had to cope Sunday without Carlos Tevez after the Argentina striker went home due to a family death.

Obafemi Martins put Newcastle ahead in the 22nd minute, when the unmarked Nigeria striker evaded Darren Fletcher and buried a powerful header.

But Fletcher took just two minutes to strike back. Ryan Giggs cut through the visiting defense with a low cross from the left and Fletcher was to deftly steer it past Shay Given, who continuously denied United’s pursuit of a winner.

Villa, which finished sixth last season, looked a better bet than Portsmouth to challenge for fifth place and a UEFA Cup spot after an eight-minute hat trick by striker Gabriel Agbonlahor.

John Carew put the home side ahead with a 47th-minute header from Ashley Young’s left-wing cross.

Although Elano made it 1-1 with a penalty kick awarded for Luke Young’s foul on Michael Johnson, Agbonlahor, who on Saturday was left out of Fabio Capello’s England squad for a midweek friendly against the Czech Republic, swiftly put his team out of sight.

Vedran Corluka got a late goal back for City, which badly disappointed fans in its first game under new manager Mark Hughes.

Scotland
Celtic dropped two early points in its pursuit of a fourth straight Scottish league title when it drew 1-1 at Dundee United on Sunday.

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Celtic led at Tannadice through Paul Hartley's 51st-minute opener, but had to settle for a point rather than three after substitute Francisco Sandaza struck for the home side with 11 minutes left.

Hartley put Celtic in front with a side-footed shot that deflected off Garry Kenneth before Sandaza flicked a cross by fellow substitute Craig Conway past goalkeeper Artur Boruc at the near post.

The draw means Celtic has four points from two games, two fewer than leaders Hamilton and fierce city rivals Rangers, which beat Hearts 2-0 on Saturday.

Germany
Stuttgart and Hertha Berlin won their Bundesliga openers on the road Sunday, with Stuttgart beating promoted Borussia Moenchengladbach 3-1 and Hertha winning 2-0 at Eintracht Frankfurt.

Schalke and newcomer Hoffenheim lead on goal difference, having won their games 3-0 each on Saturday.

Thomas Hitzlsperger opened the scoring for Stuttgart after 15 minutes from the edge of the area. Ciprian Marica made it 2-0 and Mario Gomez finished off another counterattack shortly before halftime.

Jens Lehmann had a successful return to the Bundesliga and made some big saves in the first half, including on a breakaway effort from Rob Friend. But the former Arsenal goalkeeper was helpless in the 60th, when Stuttgart's defense left Friend alone in a mistimed offside trap for him to score from close range.

In Frankfurt, Marko Pantelic set up both goals to give Hertha its first winning start in nine years. Pantelic flicked a brilliant pass to Raffael with the outside of his foot. Raffael rounded Goalkeeper Oka Nikolov and slotted home from a narrow angle.

Pantelic set up Patrick Ebert after a counterattack and Ebert caught Nikolov wrong-footed to seal the victory.

France
Newly promoted Grenoble beat Rennes 1-0 Sunday to continue its successful start in the French league, while defending champion Lyon was held to a 0-0 draw at Lorient.

Title hopeful Marseille routed Auxerre 4-0.

Algeria forward Nassim Akrour scored for Grenoble with a 30-meter strike into the top corner off a backheel pass from Daniel Moreira in the 21st minute.

Rennes goalkeeper Nicolas Douchez saved a penalty kick from midfielder Sofiane Feghouli in the 9th after Moreira was fouled inside the area.

Lyon, which has four points after two rounds, was denied a victory by Lorient goalkeeper Fabien Audard.

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