Top-flight action began over the weekend in Germany, Belgium and England, while it was the second weekend in France.

England

Obi was the only African in the Chelsea line-up

The Premier League kicked off with an avalanche of goals as Chelsea went top after their 4-0 win over Portsmouth.

Nigeria's John Mikel Obi was the only African in the Chelsea line-up in what was the debut fixture for his club's new Brazilian coach Felipe Scolari.

Chelsea's rivals Manchester United were held 1-1 by Newcastle United at Old Trafford.

Newcastle's Nigeria striker Obafemi Martins headed home in the 22nd minute to stun United who equalised two minutes later.

Fellow Nigerian Yakubu Ayegbeni was also on the score sheet in the 64th minute for Everton but his side lost 3-2 to Blackburn Rovers.

Egyptian Ahmed Mido was on target for Middlesbrough four minutes from time to edge past Tottenham 2-1.

Mido's Egyptian counterpart Amr Zaki volleyed home his first goal early in the second-half to announce his debut in the Premiership.

But there were no celebrations at the end as his side Wigan lost 2-1 at West Ham United.

GERMANY

Senegal's Demba Ba scored one of the goals as his newly promoted side Hoffenheim won away by beating Energie Cottbus 3-0.

The win puts Hoffhenheim at joint top with Schalke who also won 3-0 to dismiss Hannover.

BELGIUM

Mbokani got Standard Liege onto a winning start

The league holders Standard Liege defeated Dender 3-1 to get off to a winning start.

Standard's DR Congo striker Dieumerci Mbokani scored twice in the game - he lobbed over the keeper to score the first before heading home the other in the second-half.

But Gent are in top position after beating Mons 5-0.

Togo striker Olufade Adekanmi had his name on the score sheet, scoring on the half hour.

Mali striker Mahamadou Dissa scored soon after resumption of the second-half to give his side Roulers a 2-1 lead over newly promoted Coutrai, in a game that finished 2-2.

Nigerian striker Jaycee Okwunwanne gave Mouscron the lead in the 14th minute as his side beat another promoted side Tubize 2-1.

FRANCE

Mali midfielder Mahamane Traore scored a last-minute winner for Nice after coming on as a substitute against Nancy in the last 10 minutes.

Nice triumphed 2-1 to register their first win of the season.

Another Malian midfielder Modibo Maiga found the back of the net in each-half as his side Le Mans outclassed hosts Lille 3-1.

Guinea midfielder Pascal Feindouno opened his account this season from the penalty spot with one of the goals for St Etienne who were lucky to beat Sochaux 2-1.

Senegal striker Mamadou Niang opened the scoring for second-placed Marseille who trounced Auxerre 4-0.

Meanwhile, newly promoted Grenoble are the unlikely leaders after they squeezed past Rennes by a lone goal scored by Algerian striker Nassim Akrour in the 20th minute.

The Algerian blasted from 30 yards as his side enjoy top spot with maximum six points - the only club with a hundred percent record after two games.

TURKEY

The Congo DR striker Shabani Nonda scored what turned out to be the winner for Galatasaray as his side lifted the Super Cup beating Kayserispor 2-1 on Sunday.