LONDON, August 13(Xinhuanet)-- Manchester United kicked off the new season of English Premiership with a 2-0 away win over Everton while Liverpool had to settle for a goalless draw at Middlesbroughon Saturday.

Manchester United scored through Ruud van Nistelrooy in the first half, with Wayne Rooney- back at his old club- taking advantage of a terrible mistake by Joseph Yobo to put his side two ahead a few seconds after the break.

Rooney's goal just about killed the game, with Everton failing to produce the fire and drive that was the hallmark of their fourth-place finish last term.

Liverpool were unable to find a way past 10-man Middlesbrough despite the best efforts of captain Steven Gerrard.

The midfielder was repeatedly thwarted by Boro keeper Mark Schwarzer and saw a host of second-half chances go begging. But despite Ugo Ehiogu's red card for a foul on Gerrard on 74 minutes, the Reds did not make the extra man count.

Liverpool's best first-half chance came when Fernando Morientes nodded the ball down for Gerrard after 24 minutes, but the midfielder volleyed well over Schwarzer's goal.

Nigel Reo-Coker introduced himself to the Premiership with a superb winner as West Ham marked their return with a 3-1 home victory over Blackburn.

Teddy Sheringham, now 39, served up a reminder of his enduring class with a composed finish to haul the Hammers level 43 seconds into the second half and was the inspiration behind the Upton Parktriumph.

But it was 21-year-old Reo-Coker, formerly of Wimbledon, who provided the 62nd-minute winner, crashing a superb strike into the top right corner of the Blackburn goal.

Matthew Etherington made sure in the 80th minute, firing home after excellent work from Yossi Benayoun, who had an outstanding debut.

Blackburn, who included summer signings Shefki Kuqi and Craig Bellamy, had led at the break through Andy Todd's 17th-minute strike.

But they finished soundly beaten with 10 men as Paul Dickov received a straight red card late on for a wild challenge of Paul Konchesky.

It proved a good day for London's representation in the top-flight, with Charlton winning 3-1 at Sunderland and Tottenham prevailing 2-0 at Portsmouth.

Sunderland will be hoping their performance on the opening day is not a sign of things to come for the rest of the season.

Returning to the Premiership, they rode their luck against Alan Curbishley's men for the opening 45 minutes but then stumbled after the break.

They trailed at the Stadium of Light after Darren Bent marked his Addicks league debut with an 11th-minute goal, but new signing Andy Gray did likewise on his first appearance for the Black Cats with the equaliser after 32 minutes.

The dismissal of former Newcastle midfielder Darren Ambrose after 55 minutes proved popular among Sunderland fans, but Charlton took the three points thanks to Danny Murphy's free-kick minute nine minutes later.

At Fratton Park, Tottenham went ahead through an Andy Griffin own goal on the stroke of half-time, and Jermain Defoe fired their second after 64 minutes, Martin Jol's side making a promising start to a season.

Fulham drew 0-0 with Birmingham, while Manchester City and WestBrom also played out a goalless stalemate.

Aston Villa and Bolton shared out four in the first nine minutes, going into the break at 2-2 after a pulsating start to the match, but that was the end of the scoring.

Just two minutes later the visitors were level, Kevin Davies rifling past Thomas Sorensen from close range, and then Ivan Campoput Bolton ahead when his header found the top corner.

It was a whirlwind start, and Villa got the game's fourth goal after nine minutes when Phillips set up young Northern Irish midfielder Steven Davis to make it 2-2. Enditem