Wins for Arsenal, Stoke and Hull

A 3-1 opening day loss at home to Aston Villa resulted in Arsenal supporters questioning Arsene Wenger's status as manager, expressing their unhappiness at the Gunners' lack of progress in the transfer market.

Victory in the Champions League qualifying first leg at Fenerbahce quietened the dissenters and first-half strikes from Olivier Giroud and Podolski lifted the mood further.

Germany striker Podolski, who has been linked with a move away from London as Wenger bids to reshape his squad before the September 2 closure of the transfer window, converted another devastating Arsenal counter-attack for a third.

On-loan Aston Villa striker Darren Bent netted on his first Fulham appearance in reply.

In one of the five 3pm kick-offs, Stoke recovered from a half-time deficit to beat promoted Crystal Palace 2-1 in Mark Hughes' first home match in charge at the Britannia Stadium.

Marouane Chamakh's first Premier League goal since 2011 put Palace ahead in the 31st minute but Stoke turned the game on its head with two goals in quick succession after the break.

Charlie Adam drew the teams level in the 58th minute and then four minutes later Ryan Shawcross slammed home the winning goal for Stoke.

Palace's fellow top-flight newcomers Hull survived the 27th-minute dismissal of Yannick Sagbo to defeat Norwich 1-0 at home.

Robbie Brady's 22nd-minute penalty, given after former Tiger Michael Turner pulled down Sagbo inside the area, put Hull ahead but the hosts suffered a blow soon after when Sagbo was handed a straight red card for an off-the-ball incident.

However, Norwich could not make the most of their numerical advantage as Steve Bruce's men claimed the three points.

Sunderland were within minutes of celebrating victory themselves only to be denied by a late Jose Fonte equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Southampton.

Summer signing Emanuele Giaccherini, standing only 5ft 6in, headed home a Sebastian Larsson corner after just three minutes to give the Black Cats the lead at St Mary's Stadium but Fonte's 88th-minute leveller saw the points shared.

The other two Premier League matches failed to produce a goal, with Everton being held at home by West Brom and Sam Allardyce's West Ham getting a point from the trip to his former club Newcastle.

Marouane Fellaini, subject of an approach from Manchester United this week, struck the post late on as Everton created the better chances at Goodison Park.

A Seamus Coleman effort also rattled the woodwork as the game entered injury time but the Baggies held on for a point in a lively finish.

At St James' Park, Newcastle sub Sammy Ameobi's injury-time cross caught the inside of Jussi Jaaskelainen's post and bounced back out to Yoan Gouffran who somehow contrived to spoon the rebound over the bar from point-blank range.

The near-miss summed up the frustrations of the home side who once again started without Yohan Cabaye in their matchday squad and failed to muster a single shot on target through the afternoon.