PREMIER LEAGUE RESULTS: Adebayor gives City dream start

  MANCHESTER City's £25 million striker Emmanuel Adebayor gave Mark Hughes' millionaires the perfect start to the new season as his early goal helped his new employers to victory over Blackburn.

DREAM DEBUT: Emmanuel Adebayor nets the winner on his City debut against Blackburn

The ex-Arsenal Togolese hitman, starting up front with Craig Bellamy as Carlos Tevez was left on the bench, took just three minutes to open his Manchester City account, firing home after a superb counter-attack led by Shaun Wright-Phillips.

The diminutive winger cut inside and gave Adebayor, who swapped the Emirates for the City of Manchester Stadium in the summer, the perfect opportunity which he duly accepted.

Blackburn were not without their chances and only an excellent block tackle from Richard Dunne denied South African frontman Benni McCarthy, but the visitors made the points safe when Stephen Ireland slotted the ball home at the death to give Hughes' men the perfect start to the season with a 2-0 victory.

And Hughes, who spent four years in the Ewood Park hotseat, believes his new-look side have issued a warning to the Premier League big boys with their opening day win.

 'We are delighted to make a statement," he said. "There are people who want us to fail and we have been bemused by a few comments made about us.

"But there are as many who want us to succeed and break into the Big Four. That is what we want eventually. It is a long journey but we are encouraged by what happened.' 

Meanwhile, Adebayor's former club Arsenal didn't seem to miss him as they demolished Everton in the evening game at Goodison Park, running out 6-1 winners.

Brazilian midfielder Denilson set the Gunners on their way in the 26th minute with a 25-yard stunner before defenders Thomas Vermaelen and William Gallas added to the tally before half time.

A second-half double from Cesc Fabregas sealed the match before Croatian striker Eduardo knocked in Arsenal's sixth in the 88th minute.

Frenchman Louis Saha notched a late goal for the Toffees but it was no consolation for the home crowd.

Elsewhere, in the day's early kick-off, Chelsea left it late to make a winning start to life under Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti and were forced to come from behind at Stamford Bridge before overcoming Hull 2-1 courtesy of Didier Drogba's double.

New Hull signing Stephen Hunt will have taken extra satisfaction by opening the scoring and silencing the west London faithful - who still have not forgiven the Irishman for accidentally fracturing goalkeeper Petr Cech's skull in 2006.

But Hull's lead did not last long and Drogba levelled with a stunning, although controversial free-kick, just minutes later from 25 yards.

Hull questioned the award of the set-piece when referee Alan Wiley penalised Seyi Olofinjana for a foul on John Mikel Obi - but there was no arguing with the delivery from Drogba as it dipped low past Boaz Myhill.

Phil Brown's men looked to have earned themselves an impressive point with the six minutes of injury time almost up until a Drogba's speculative lofted shot looped over the stranded Myhill.

Elsewhere, Burnley were taught a harsh lesson at the Britannia Stadium in their first ever appearance in the Premier League as goals from Ryan Shawcross and an own goal from Stephen Jordan - who could not deal with one of Rory Delap's trademark long throws - handed Stoke the points.

In the remaining four games of the day, all four away sides ran out winners as Fulham - the surprise package of last season - got straight back to winning ways at crisis-club Portsmouth.

Pompey have been losing players quicker than you can say credit crunch over the summer and offered little at Fratton Park as a solitary Bobby Zamora strike handed Fulham victory.

The ex-Brighton forward managed just two Premier League goals across the whole of last season but he opened his account on 13 minutes from close range.

At the Reebok Stadium Sunderland's new £10m forward Darren Bent proved former employer Harry Redknapp, and his wife, wrong by scoring with his head to ensure Steve Bruce's first game in charge of the Black Cats was a happy one with a 1-0 win over Bolton.

But Bruce's old club Wigan did not seem to miss him as they chalked up an excellent 2-0 victory over Martin O'Neill's lacklustre Aston Villa, courtesy of strikes from Hugo Rodallega and Jason Koumas.

And Mark Noble and Matthew Upson both found the scoresheet at Molineux as Wolves made an unhappy return to the top flight, going down 2-0 to West Ham.