Rooney returns to sink Palace, Ozil fires Arsenal

Wayne Rooney returned to give Manchester United manager David Moyes his first win at Old Trafford as the champions beat Crystal Palace 2-0, while Mesut Ozil marked his debut by inspiring Arsenal to a 3-1 triumph at Sunderland Saturday. Rooney had missed United's defeat at Liverpool and England's World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine after suffering a gashed head in a training ground collision with team-mate Phil Jones. But, wearing a black headband to protect the damaged area, Rooney marked his return to action with his first goal of the season in the 81st minute. Robin van Persie had struck from the spot to give United the lead in first-half stoppage-time after Palace's South African midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi was sent off for fouling Ashley Young. Moyes sent on Belgian midfielder Marouane Fellaini for his United debut in the 61st minute following his £27.5 million ($43.7 million, 32.8 million euros) move from Everton on transfer deadline day. With Alex Ferguson watching from the stands for the first time since his retirement, United sealed their first win in three league games -- and Moyes's first on home soil since his arrival as Ferguson's successor -- thanks to Rooney's fine free-kick. "He tired a bit in the second half but I thought he was great in everything he did," Moyes said of Rooney. "I wanted him to get 90 minutes under his belt, which is important with the busy week we have coming up. "I thought we played well but we needed to score a few more goals with the build up play we managed." At the Stadium of Light, Ozil, Arsenal's club record signing, made an instant impact during his 79-minute appearance, while team-mate Aaron Ramsey continued his fine start to the campaign. Ozil, signed from Real Madrid on transfer deadline day for £42 million, didn't take long to show his class as the Germany midfielder produced a brilliant touch to control a long ball and then squared for Olivier Giroud, who made no mistake with a cool finish in the 11th minute. Sunderland drew level when Laurent Koscielny needlessly fouled Adam Johnson in the penalty area and Craig Gardner drove home the resulting spot-kick in the 48th minute. But Ramsey restored Arsenal's advantage in the 67th minute with a superb volley and the Wales midfielder wrapped up his side's third league win of the season as he finished off a slick move nine minutes later. Ramsey was quick to hail Ozil's impact, saying: "You've seen what he is all about, slipping those balls in, he has one of highest assist-rates in Europe and he is going to create a lot of opportunities for us." Tottenham started the post-Gareth Bale era with a 2-0 win against Norwich at White Hart Lane. Bale joined Real Madrid just before the transfer deadline earlier this month but the Welsh winger's move doesn't seem to have unsettled Andre Villas-Boas's team, who have won three of their four matches this term. They were ahead when Danish winger Christian Eriksen, signed from Ajax to fill the gap left by Bale, slid the ball perfectly into the path of Gylfi Sigurdsson, who hammered home in the 28th minute. Iceland midfielder Sigurdsson killed off Norwich with his second goal, from Paulinho's cross, four minutes after half-time. Stoke manager Mark Hughes frustrated his former club as Manchester City were forced to settle for a 0-0 draw at the Britannia Stadium. Hughes was furious to be sacked by City's Abu Dhabi-based owners in 2009 but he enjoyed a measure of revenge in a dour clash as Stoke held on against Manuel Pellegrini's expensively-assembled outfit. Yoan Gouffran was Newcastle's star as the Magpies won 2-1 at Aston Villa. Alan Pardew's team moved in front when Hatem Ben Arfa lashed home from Loic Remy's pass in the 18th minute. Christian Benteke brought Villa level in the 67th minute, the powerful striker rising highest to head his fifth goal in five appearances this season. But Newcastle took the points thanks to French midfielder Gouffran six minutes later. Hull and Cardiff shared a 1-1 draw in a clash between the two clubs who won automatic promotion from the Championship last season. Steve Bruce's team took the lead through Curtis Davies's 40th minute header but Cardiff midfielder Peter Whittingham volleyed the equaliser in the 59th minute. Steve Sidwell's 22nd minute strike gave Fulham the lead at Craven Cottage but West Bromwich Albion rescued a 1-1 draw when Gareth McAuley netted in the 90th minute. Source: AFP