Manchester United made it three wins out of three in the Premier League after Wayne Rooney and Ruud van Nistelrooy gave them a 2-0 win at St James' Park to leave Newcastle United in dire straights on Sunday.
Newcastle, yet to score in four matches, have collected just one point as the pressure mounts on manager Graeme Souness.
Earlier on Sunday, Charlton Athletic won 3-0 at Middlesbrough to make it three victories out of three, their best start in the Premier League.
Newcastle went into Sunday's match short of confidence after an unimpressive start but responded well with an encouraging opening spell.
Debutant forward Albert Luque put the ball in the net after 13 minutes after Edwin van der Sar had parried a low Alan Shearer shot but the Spanish striker, who joined from Deportivo Coruna for 9.5 million pounds on Friday, was offside.
United struggled to impose themselves on the game but got the breakthrough with a route one goal in the 66th minute. Newcastle defender Jean-Alain Boumsong failed to cut out an Edwin van der Sar punt downfield and the ever-alert Rooney nipped in, showing strength and an assured touch, before lashing the ball past Shay Given.
Newcastle were unable to hit back and Souness, nervous in the knowledge that his employers have parted company with their last three managers in August, suffered a final blow when Rooney set up Van Nistelrooy for the second in stoppage time.
Charlton deservedly went ahead at Middlesbrough after 38 minutes when Danish striker Dennis Rommedahl broke on to a Danny Murphy through ball and drove low past Mark Schwarzer.
MURPHY PROVIDER
Murphy was the provider again for the second in the 81st when his quick free kick set up Chris Perry for a sharp finish and Darren Bent completed the victory in injury time with his fourth goal of the season.
"Not only have we got the result but we've played ever so well, that was a great performance," Charlton manager Alan Curbishley told Sky Sports.
"There is a long way to go but the players are confident and are passing the ball around and that was a big game for us today."
In Saturday's action, champions Chelsea made it four wins out of four and 31 league games unbeaten against Tottenham Hotspur with a 2-0 victory at White Hart Lane.
Spurs had Egypt striker Mido sent off in the 26th minute for elbowing Asier del Horno who headed the opening goal soon afterwards. Damien Duff netted a fortunate second late on.
Manchester City continued their good start with a 2-1 home win over Portsmouth to make it 10 points from four games.
Wigan Athletic picked up their first top-flight points with a 1-0 home win over Sunderland, who have lost their first four games. Neither Liverpool or Arsenal played over the weekend.
