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By Martyn Herman
LONDON (Reuters) – Manchester United’s Premier League campaign began hesitantly when a double by former player Wilfried Zaha gave Crystal Palace a 3-1 win at Old Trafford on Saturday, but Arsenal and Everton had two wins. of two.
For the third time in the Premier League era, United lost their first game of the season and they could have few complaints, even if Palace’s second goal came from a controversial penalty again.
Andros Townsend put Palace ahead early and Zaha scored from the penalty spot in the 74th minute after David De Gea saved Jordan Ayew’s original penalty, but the Spanish goalkeeper was determined to have stepped out of line.
The penalty was awarded after referee Martin Atkinson used the courtside television monitor to harshly judge that Victor Lindelof had managed a cross within his own area.
United rookie Donny van de Beek came off the bench to score a goal for United, but Zaha passed Lindelof to finish United in the 85th minute.
“Today was a performance you don’t see very often from this group,” said United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, whose team did not play the opening weekend. “We should look at ourselves in the mirror. Everyone knows we can do better than this.”
Palace, who has won back-to-back league games at United for the first time, followed an opening day win over Southampton and looks rejuvenated after ending last season in a dismal fashion.
“When we had the ball I thought we looked very dangerous and threatening, so I don’t think it was a big surprise that we scored three,” manager Roy Hodgson said.
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Arsenal managed a 2-1 win over West Ham United in the Emirates but needed a late goal against Eddie Nketiah’s running gear to give the Hammers a second straight loss.
Michail Antonio’s first-half goal for the visitors nullified Alexandre Lacazette’s 50th goal for the Gunners.
“I am delighted with the three points,” said Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. “I said before the game how difficult it would be with the way they play.”
Everton crushed newly promoted West Bromwich Albion 5-2 with a Dominic Calvert-Lewin hat-trick and a first goal in an Everton jersey for new signing James Rodriguez.
West Brom, who had taken an early lead, was not helped by a red card to Kieran Gibbs for pushing Rodriguez shortly after the Colombian put Everton 2-1 in front just before halftime.
Leeds United, back in the top flight after a 16-year absence, claimed their first points of the season as they found themselves embroiled in a seven-goal thriller for the second week in a row.
After losing to champions Liverpool 4-3 on opening day, they beat Fulham by the same score at Elland Road for their first Premier League victory since April 2004.
Helder Costa scored on either side of goals from Mateusz Klich and Patrick Bamford as Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds side took a 4-1 lead before Fulham rallied to establish a tense finish.
(Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Ken Ferris)
