Schalke and Hoffenheim set the early pace in the Bundesliga as both teams recorded impressive 3-0 victories on the opening weekend of the season. Schalke, under new coach Fred Rutten, proved too strong for Hannover in Gelsenkirchen and were a goal up after two minutes through Marcelo Bordon. Kevin Kuranyi made it 2-0 just five minutes later and the Germany striker broke through again in the 65th minute to put the result beyond doubt.

Hull celebrated its entrance into the Barclays Premier League with a 2-1 victory over Fulham at the KC Stadium on Saturday. It was an inauspicious start for the new boys as Seol Ki-hyeon put the visitors ahead in the eighth minute off a cross from Jimmy Ullard. But Geovanni had already forced Mark Schwarzer into a good save and he beat the Australian with a fizzing left-footer to level matters in the 22nd minute.

Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho believes Liverpool could be serious title challengers this season. The new Inter Milan coach said Rafael Benitez has assembled a team which can now push Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal further in the title race. "It is time for Liverpool to make their move in the Premier League," Mourinho wrote in his column in the Daily Telegraph on Saturday.