City, Liverpool start the season right

Manchester City’s David Silva, top, celebrates his goal against Newcastle United at St. James’ Park in Newcastle on Sunday[AP/NEWSIS]

One moment of attacking brilliance and a late Sergio Aguero strike gave Premier League holder Manchester City a winning start to their title defense as they eased past Newcastle United 2-0 away on Sunday.

Ivorian powerhouse Yaya Toure and Edin Dzeko combined to set up Spaniard David Silva before halftime while Argentine Aguero added a second just before the final whistle.

While the performance was far from vintage, City Manager Manuel Pellegrini will be pleased with the three points after last week’s 3-0 Community Shield loss to Arsenal indicated his side may have some early season rust.

Earlier, last season’s runner-up Liverpool beat a stubborn Southampton 2-1, with goals from Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge on either side of Nathaniel Clyne’s thunderbolt ensuring the post-Luis Suarez era at Anfield got off to a positive start.

On Saturday, Manchester United began life under Louis van Gaal with a disappointing 2-1 home defeat by Swansea City, while Arsenal needed a stoppage-time Aaron Ramsey goal to beat Crystal Palace 2-1.

Tottenham Hotspur, Hull City and Aston Villa were other opening-weekend winners, while Chelsea play at promoted Burnley on Monday.

The match at St. James’ Park was preceded by a minute’s silence for John Alder and Liam Sweeney, the two Newcastle fans killed in the Malaysia Airlines crash in eastern Ukraine last month.

After kickoff, City quickly began to dominate, with Tim Krul denying Dzeko, Stevan Jovetic and Samir Nasri within the first 12 minutes.

City’s wealth of attacking options came to the fore on 38 minutes, Toure playing a ball over the top from deep, Dzeko playing a lovely backheel into the path of Silva who placed the ball past Krul.

The host offered plenty of industry after the break, in marked contrast to some insipid performances last season, but they generally lacked the cutting edge required to seriously threaten, other than late chances to Ayoze Perez and Moussa Sissoko.

“It was very important for us to start with a win,” Pellegrini told Sky Sports. “We talked to the squad about the ‘two Hs’ - we were hungry and humble.”

Three players traded the south coast for Merseyside in the offseason but only Dejan Lovren started at Anfield, with striker Rickie Lambert on the bench and midfielder Adam Lallana injured.

Clear chances were in short supply for both sides until Jordan Henderson won the ball inside his own half on 23 minutes.

He split the Southampton defense with an incisive pass, allowing 19-year-old Sterling to calmly shoot past Southampton’s new goalkeeper Fraser Forster.

Clyne blasted in an equalizer after a neat one-two with Dusan Tadic, the Serb playing a delightful backheel to set up the right back.

Reuters