Arsenal scores sixer on Day One of EPL

Gunners slam Everton 6-1, Chelsea, Man C win in style too

Gunners slam Everton 6-1, Chelsea, Man C win in style too

Arsenal trounced Everton 6-1 while Didier Drogba scored a last-minute winner as Chelsea marked Carlo Ancelotti's first match in the Premier League with a 2-1 opening day victory over Hull on Saturday.

Drogba sealed all three points for the English title contenders when, in the second minute of added-on time, his cross-shot floated over Hull goalkeeper Boaz Myhill at Stamford Bridge.

But it was Chelsea's London rivals Arsenal, written off by many pundits as a top-four side this term, who ended the first day of the new season in pole position with a thumping win at Goodison Park against an Everton team who finished fifth last season.

Arsenal were 3-0 in front before half-time. Brazilian Denilson put the Gunners ahead with a 26th minute curling shot that gave Everton 'keeper Tim Howard no chance.

Fab stuff! Francesc Fabregas of Arsenal (right) scores his team's fourth goal during an English Premier League match against Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday. Fabregas scored twice as Arsenal won 6-1. pic/Getty Images

Belgian defender Thomas Vermaelen marked his debut by heading in from a Robin van Persie free-kick and it was a similar story when the equally unattended William Gallas nodded in from a Cesc Fabregas set-piece four minutes before the break.

Fabregas made it 4-0 early in the second-half when he crowned a rapid, length of the field, counter-attack with a stylish finish before the Spaniard scored his second after being allowed to run free by the Everton defence.

Eduardo added a sixth two minutes from time after Andrei Arshavin's shot came back off the post before Louis Saha pulled one back for Everton.

In the day's other Premier League matches, cash-rich Manchester City beat Blackburn 2-0 while Stoke defeated new boys Burnley by the same scoreline.

Fulham added to Portsmouth's problems with a 1-0 win, Sunderland also grabbed a 1-0 win at Bolton while West Ham beat last season's Championship winners Wolves 2-0, the same scoreline that gave Wigan victory at Aston Villa.

Results
Chelsea 2-1 Hull City
Aston Villa 0-2 Wigan
Blackburn 0-2 Man City
Bolton 0- 1 Sunderland
Portsmouth 0-1 Fulham
Stoke City 2-0 Burnley
Wol'hampton 0-2 West Ham
Everton 1-6 Arsenal