Chelsea's Nicolas Anelka (second right) is congratulated by Anderson Deco (left), Ashley Cole (second left) and Michael Ballack after scoring against Portsmouth yesterday. Chelsea won 4-0. - photos by AP

LONDON (AP):

CHELSEA GAINED an early advantage over Manchester United in the Premier League title race yesterday, routing Portsmouth 4-0 as the defending champions were held 1-1 by Newcastle.

Aston Villa suggested they can improve upon last season with a 4-2 win over Manchester City in yesterday's other match on the opening weekend of the season.

Chelsea, who last season finished runners-up to 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.

The Blues' movement and passing brought their biggest opening win since 1999 and suggests that United will find it tough to hang on to its titles, as it struggles through the opening weeks with a weakened squad.

Top scorer sidelined

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 without Carlos Tevez yesterday after the Argentina striker went home due to a family death.Scolari, though, remained cautious.

"To win the Champions League, the Premier League, we need more than this," Scolari said.

Chelsea took the lead in the 12th minute, when Michael Ballack flicked the ball over the defence with the outside of his left boot and Cole calmly collected it before hitting his shot past the onrushing David James.

James was again powerless in the 26th when Jose Boswinga hit a cross from the right that Deco met at the back post. Deco's lofted pass back to the middle of the six-yard box took James out of play and Anelka leapt highest to nod the ball in from close range.

"I said to Anelka, 'today you have three or four chances and you have to make one or two goals for me and for the people because I want the people to believe in you'," Scolari said, "and he played very well".

Portsmouth attack

Petr Cech snuffed out a rare Portsmouth attack with a double save from Niko Kranjcar and Crouch before referee Mike Dean awarded an injury-time penalty kick for an apparently accidental handball against Sylvain Distin.

Lampard stepped up to send the resulting kick past James.

Ballack went off with an ankle injury that will probably keep him out for a week and the game appeared to be coming to a quiet end in the 89th when Deco was given space about 25 metres from goal. The Portugal playmaker unleashed a swerving shot so fierce that James could not keep it out but only redirect it just inside his post.

In Manchester, Obafemi Martins put Newcastle ahead in the 22nd minute, when the unmarked Nigeria striker evaded Darren Fletcher and met Danny Guthrie's corner with a powerful header into the bottom left.

But Newcastle was then temporarily reduced to 10 men while Steven Taylor was receiving treatment on the side, and Fletcher took just two minutes to strike back. Ryan Giggs cut through the visiting defence 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. United now have three away matches, including against Chelsea and Liverpool, before returning to Old Trafford on September 21.

Villa, who finished in sixth place 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.

Agbonlahor made it 2-1 in the 69th with a close-range shot into the top corner, 3-1 with a header from a cross by Gareth Barry, and 4-1 with a low shot from 12 metres.

His final goal sealed a "perfect hat-trick" of goals with his right foot, head and left foot.

Vedran Corluka got a late goal back for City, who badly disappointed fans in their first game under new manager Mark Hughes. They also suffered an injury blow, as striker Valeri Bojinov is expected to miss up to six months after tearing his Achilles' tendon during the pre-game warm-up.

Newcastle United's Obafemi Martins reacts after scoring during their English Premier League match against Manchester United at Old Trafford yesterday. The game ended 1-1.