Jose Mourinho received an instant reward for handing Paul Pogba the captaincy when the World Cup-winning midfielder paved the way for Manchester United's 2-1 victory over leicester as the English Premier league season opened on Friday.
Having returned from France's triumph in Russia last month to intense media speculation about his future under United manager Mourinho, the 25-year-old Pogba was named skipper of a team that included debutant Fred.
After an unusual stuttering run-up that briefly gave way to jogging on the spot, Pogba rifled home the first goal from a third-minute penalty after Daniel Amartey had handled a shot from Alexis Sanchez.
United had several chances to extend their lead against a leicester side that called goalkeeper David De Gea into action more often than Mourinho would have liked.
The manager, however, celebrated on the touchline after defender luke Shaw directed home his first senior goal to put the result out of reach for leicester after an excellent through ball from Juan Mata.
Spurs outplay Newcastle
NEWCASTlE: Dele Alli overcame any post-World Cup rustiness to head Tottenham to a 2-1 victory over Newcastle on the first Saturday of the Premier league season.
All the goals came inside the opening 18 minutes as Joselu cancelled out Jan Vertonghen's opener before Alli struck to start Tottenham's season with a win.
Spurs dominated the first half with Christian Eriksen prominent, but found themselves in a battle after the break during which Mohamed Diame and Salomon Rondon both hit the woodwork for Newcastle.
Tottenham needed just eight minutes to go in front after goalkeeper Martin Dubravka turned away a shot from Eriksen.
Chelsea sink Huddersfield
Huddersfield: Goals from N’golo Kante, new signing Jorginho and Pedro gave Chelsea a triumphant opening to their Premier league season on Saturday in Huddersfield.
After an even start to the game, Chelsea took the lead in the 34th minute as Kante scuffed Willian’s cross past Ben Hamer, the Huddersfield ‘keeper.
10 minutes later, Jorginho stepped up to fire home a penalty given to the visitors for Christopher Schindler’s foul on Alonso, making it 2-0 at half-time.
In the second half, Huddersfield drove forward occasionally, but Chelsea’s debutant custodian, Kepa Arrizabalaga staved off the incoming danger.
However, it was Chelsea who found the net yet again through Pedro, who, receiving the ball from Eden Hazard, broke into the home side’s box to implement a sublime chip over an approaching Hamer, thus sealing the game for Sarri’s men.