LONDON, Aug 21: Wayne Rooney scored twice as Manchester United crushed Fulham 5-1 on Sunday while champions Chelsea began their Premier League title defence with a 3-0 home win over Manchester City.

Defender John Terry followed his first goal as England captain in midweek by putting Chelsea ahead in the 11th minute.

Terry's England colleague Frank Lampard struck the second in the 25th while Didier Drogba added a late third for Chelsea with a diving header from Wayne Bridge's low cross from the left.

United were even more impressive as they tore Fulham to shreds in a devastating opening burst that brought them four goals in the first 12 minutes through Rooney, Louis Saha, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Fulham pulled one back to make the halftime score 4-1 when Heidar Helguson's shot from the edge of the box was deflected by defender Rio Ferdinand into his own net over goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar.

—Reuters