Rooney stars in huge United win

Holders drub Bolton 5-0; City ride on Aguero hat-trick to rout Wigan

Champions United were three goals up after 25 minutes, thanks to one from Javier Hernandez, making his first start of the season, and two from Rooney, who has scored in every league game this season.

Hernandez added another in the 58th minute before Rooney struck his third 10 minutes later to complete back-to-back league hat-tricks.

Like two weeks ago, when City recorded a sizzling 5-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur only to be trumped by United's 8-2 thrashing of Arsenal, Alex Ferguson's side outgunned Roberto Mancini's team to sit top of the table, above City on goal difference.

Sergio Aguero scored a hat-trick as City maintained their perfect start, while fellow title hopefuls Chelsea won 2-1 at Sunderland.

Argentina forward Aguero took his tally to six goals in four games with a first-half strike and two after the break in a one-sided game in Manchester where the scoreline could have been much worse for the visitors.  “Sergio is a fantastic striker, he is an incredible player, he is young, he scored three fantastic goals. He has scored always in his career and I hope it can continue here,” City manager Mancini told Sky Sports.

Captain John Terry opened the scoring for Chelsea in the 18th minute before Daniel Sturridge, picked ahead of misfiring Fernando Torres, doubled the lead with a cheeky backheel in the second half while Sunderland scored late to set up a nervy end.

Arsenal finally enjoyed some good fortune after a bad start to the season when a blunder by Swansea City goalkeeper Michel Vorm handed Andrei Arshavin a 40th-minute winner in a 1-0 victory at the Emirates stadium.

Liverpool's unbeaten start came to a halt after they lost 1-0 at Stoke City while Tottenham Hotspur won 2-0 at Wolverhampton Wanderers, helped by a goal from debutant Emmanuel Adebayor, and Everton drew 2-2 at home to Aston Villa.

City have now scored 15 goals in their opening four games, displaying a more attacking brand of soccer than last season when they were often criticised by fans for a conservative approach.

They took just 13 minutes to get off the mark against Wigan.