Chelsea might have looked convincing during its comprehensive 3-0 win against Manchester City yesterday, but Manchester United was firing from all cylinders as the Red Devils dismantled Fulham 5-1. In fact, the game was beyond doubt after 20 minutes, as United kicked it into overdrive to score four goals in 12 first-half minutes. ''It was a good start for us,'' United striker Wayne Rooney said. ''Getting four goals in the first half an hour was good for us because we could afford to relax." It was a good day for United's front line, as Rooney bagged a brace and a beautiful assist to Cristiano Ronaldo for the fourth, and Luis Saha also tallied a goal and an assist. The Reds will now be without Rooney for the next three games, after he received a red card in a preseason tournament in the Netherlands. Chelsea also won its opener, handily beating Manchester City, 3-0, despite the absence of Michael Ballack and five others. A John Terry header from a lovely free kick from Arjen Robben was followed by yet another deflected goal from Frank Lampard (his ability to find the net that way is astounding). Didier Drogba had the pick of the bunch with a diving header in the 78th minute after a fantastic over-lapping run and cross from Wayne Bridge down the left. United and Chelsea's easy victories were in stark contrast to difficult openers from both Liverpool and Arsenal. They both had to settle for 1-1 ties in games played on Saturday. Read the original story...