Arsenal dismantled Newcastle 3-0 behind two first-half goals from Robin Van Persie on Saturday, emphatically bouncing back from last weekend's surprise loss to Fulham. Denilson added the third goal as Arsenal produced an attacking masterclass at Emirates Stadium that easily could have led to an even larger scoreline with sharper finishing. Arsenal, which also routed FC Twente 4-0 in a Champions League qualifier on Wednesday, seemed rejuvenated by the return of Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas and played with all its trademark flair and finesse that was missing during last Saturday's 1-0 loss at Craven Cottage. For Newcastle, the loss compounded its troubles after losing key midfielder James Milner to Aston Villa this week. Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan said he had only had 14 fit senior players for the game, and elected to include Joey Barton on the substitutes bench for the first time this season. Barton, who was recently released from a jail sentence for assault, was greeted by loud boos by the home fans when coming on in the final minutes after the match had already been decided. With the win, Arsenal has six points after three rounds, while Newcastle has four. Leader Chelsea plays Tottenham on Sunday. Also Saturday, newcomer Hull suffered its first Premier League loss when it was thrashed by Wigan 5-0. Everton also lost heavily at home as Portsmouth recovered from two straight defeats with a 3-0 win. Middlesbrough needed a late goal from Tuncay Sanli to beat 10-man Stoke 2-1. West Ham beat Blackburn 4-1 at Upton Park. West Brom picked up its first point of the season, drawing with Bolton 0-0. Valencia wins on Day One David Villa inspired Valencia to a 3-0 opening-day victory over Real Mallorca on Saturday to earn new coach Unai Emery his first Primera Liga win. Spain striker Villa, who signed an improved contract with Valencia in the week, put the home side ahead after 34 minutes when Pablo Hernandez's deflected cross left Euro 2008's top scorer with a free header. Four minutes later Villa cut in from the left and his parried shot rebounded for Juan Mata to nod the second. Mallorca hit the post before the break but Valencia was always in command and Miguel Angel Angulo crossed for fellow substitute Vicente to kill off the game near the end. Earlier, Luis Garcia gave Espanyol a 1-0 home win over Valladolid when the Spain striker finished off a counter-attack launched by Ivan de la Pena in the 49th minute. Sampdoria spoils Mourinho's start In Italy, Marco Del Vecchio scored a second-half equalizer Saturday to help Sampdoria draw 1-1 with Inter Milan and spoil Jose Mourinho's Serie A coaching debut. Zlatan Ibrahimovic had given Inter the lead in the 33rd minute on a shot from a tight angle that bounced off the post. But Del Vecchio knocked in a rebound just a few feet from the goal line in the 68th to salvage a point against the three-time defending champion. Inter pressured Sampdoria on every ball from the opening whistle, but the hosts also created several scoring chances before Del Vecchio finally broke through in the second half. Sampdoria playmaker Antonio Cassano could have scored a winner but failed to control a long pass that would have left him one-on-one with Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar. Also Saturday, Antonio Di Natale scored to help Udinese defeat Palermo 3-1. – AP __
