Zola reign has eventful start

Gianfranco Zola’s reign as West Ham manager got off to an eventful start as his side shared four first-half goals with West Brom at The Hawthorns.

The Baggies took the lead when James Morrison headed in a cross from Borja Valero after just three minutes but Mark Noble pounced on a rebound to equalise after 29 minutes.

Lucas Neill put the Hammers ahead 10 minutes before the break but West Brom made it 2-2 at the break with a Roman Bednar penalty after Rob Green fouled Leon Barnett.

Marlon King was also on target from the spot as Hull threatened to pile on the misery for managerless Newcastle at St James’ Park.

King struck on 34 minutes after Peter Halmosi was felled by Nicky Butt to put the Tigers 1-0 ahead.

Newcastle, in their first outing since the acrimonious departure of Kevin Keegan as manager, had dominated with Michael Owen forcing a good save from Boaz Myhill.

Elsewhere, England hat-trick hero Theo Walcott was again on song as Arsenal took a 2-0 lead at Paul Ince’s Blackburn.

Robin van Persie claimed the opener, taking a touch and firing past Paul Robinson after good work out wide from Walcott.

Emmanuel Adebayor added the second on the stroke of half-time.

Mido continued his fine start to the season to put Middlesbrough 1-0 ahead against Portsmouth at Fratton Park.

The Egyptian netted after 24 minutes, his fourth goal in five games.

Fulham led Bolton 2-0 at Craven Cottage after goals from Zoltan Gera and Bobby Zamora.

Gera opened the scoring after 15 minutes when a Jloyd Samuel header fell to the Hungarian.

Zamora doubled the advantage four minutes before the interval.

Titus Bramble headed into his own net to put Sunderland 1-0 ahead against Wigan at the JJB Stadium.